Build,Price and Reserve site

[Chibana]

I'm baffled by the reaction to the car not having "real" fog lights, as almost no cars sold in the U.S. do. True fog lights are higher, aim farther down the road, and have a narrow beam meant to cut through the fog. The lights that everyone *calls* fog lights are in reality, driving lights. Personally, I think these more-or-less verticle LED driving lights will look wicked cool (which is all these sort of lights are really for, anyway) at night. My only gripe is that I'm not sure how fond I am of the chromed plastic surrounding the LED array. I'll have to see it in person, and I think it will largely depend on the color of the car.

Concerning the interior, from the photos, which is all I have to go on for either the U.S. and European Fiesta, I think the U.S. interior looks fantastic, and I have no significant disappointments compared to the foreign version. I would like that odd center dash display changed to a proper small multi-color LCD display as you find on any cheap PDA or the 2010 Mazda3, but the same complaint goes for the European version.

[iamz]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

I have never had issues going over prices for new cars since I always got them on X-Plan being a supplier. My price is pretty much set when I walk in the door. My Focus and our Escape were purchased that way. Our only issue with the Escape was finding a 2007 Limited in the combo my wife wanted. Production was short on the 07's because the chromed-out 08's started early. Chrome is something banned at our house.

You're lucky to have that X-plan. My understanding is that it is a pretty good discount.

[FiestaFan]

Originally Posted by mrbirdman330

Having read numerous amounts of comments from articles on Car&Driver Motor Trend and Autoblog there were some negative reactions to the design of the car and many from those who have test driven the Euro Fiesta (90% of all negative reactions were towards the stupid LED Chrome Vents as opposed to real fog lamps). And as I recall Ford claims they're going to be able to sell nearly 100,000 units in 2010 for the Fiesta. But seeing how low the reservation numbers are I'm suspecting that Ford's numbers are going to be way off.

Ooh Car & Driver and Motor Trend blog comments, now that's representative of the customer base. The way you worded your post, you made it sound like you knew plenty of people who had driven a US-spec car, when that is clearly not the case. How's that for misleading?

Also, I happened to look at Car & Driver's post on the 2011 Fiesta and all but 2 of the comments were very enthusiastic about the car. Autoblog's weren't as overwhelmingly positive but I remember most people liking the car there, too; same goes for Motor Trend. So really, what's all this bullsh*t about "quite a bit of negative reaction"? From where I'm standing it looks "quite a bit" like you're talking out of your ass.

[BRGT350]

Originally Posted by iamz

You're lucky to have that X-plan. My understanding is that it is a pretty good discount.

I have been lucky to have been working for a supplier at the time I was looking at a new car. I don't remember what the price was off for the Escape or my Focus. I worked for a company manufacturing camshafts when I bought my Focus, and took the money from X-Plan and bought different wheels. I still have the wheels, and they will go on my Fiesta next year. I have what is most likely the only set of 4 x 108 Axis Touring Cup's left. The only other set I know of were crushed.

[mrbirdman330]

If I were talking out of my ass I would be bragging how Ford could do no wrong how the Fiesta is the greatest little car in the world and there is no other car company that compares to Ford. That's talking out of ones ass, I see a reality side of the matter and look at the situation from two angles as opposed to most people who look at one angle. Ford is optimistic in the matter that they're going to have a high number of sales. Yes that may be true but I doubt in all reality that 100,000 sales for one year is going to be happening. Seeing how within a week of a reservation site going on and a rather low number of reservations happening sales are not going to be so high. I'm looking at a category range of the "If Lucky" were going to hit perhaps 30,000 unit sales or more. I can tell you right now that it actually isn't so much the styling of the car that is affecting these sales. Its the price and lack of some options, we all here had a small shock at the price of this little car. I'm sure many people are actually going to wait till the "initial glee" of this car is over, cars pile up on the lots and dealers want to clear out inventory so the good ol' discount and rebates programs kick in. I don't think people are going to go running like mad to a Ford Dealership to get one of these cars right off the bat. This isn't negativity speaking this is just a side of reality in looking at numbers. If Ford says they're going to sell such a high number, then the reservations number should be higher. Simply put, people are going to wait on a lower price for the car and honestly I think the hatch is actually more popular the sedan which is why numbers are low. The only thing I need to do is just sit back and keep taking in the numbers and keep track of the sales. Maybe Ford can pull of high sales but what they're bragging is way too high.

[GhiaFan]

Originally Posted by mrbirdman330

And as I recall Ford claims they're going to be able to sell nearly 100,000 units in 2010 for the Fiesta. But seeing how low the reservation numbers are I'm suspecting that Ford's numbers are going to be way off.

Amy Wilson
Automotive News
January 11, 2009 - 3:19 pm ET

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co.'s marketing chief says volatile U.S. gasoline prices are making it tough to forecast sales for the upcoming Fiesta small car.

U.S. demand could range from 30,000 to 70,000 units annually, Jim Farley, Ford group vice president of marketing and communications said .
Demand for the Fiesta "will be largely dependent on external factors like fuel price," Farley said.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../1200&refsect=

Mr.Birdman please supply your source showing FoMoCo bragging about 100,000 + unit annually.

And no you will not see Fiestas piling up on dealers lots, unless Fords sustainability plan is absolutely thrown out the window.
Why do you think one of the reasons why Ford chose to offer pre-reservations for your Fiesta?
Rather a good way for a production company to gauge production numbers and also what percentage of sedan or hatch variants to produce, Yes/No?

Ask Ford dealerships if Ford has been flooding them with inventory this year.
The days of building as many units as an assembly plant can pump them out is OVER.

The last remaining "car" in Ford N.A. production that will suffer from the "selling down" syndrom is the current Focus and its days are coming to an end.

By this time next year ,or actually January 2011, there will not be a Ford car to be had with good ole big time discounts any longer. If you are a discount car shopper forget about Ford cars, because they will be jam packed full of value leading features, not your stripped down Hyundai/Kia etc.

I know it will be a big change for alot of North Americans used to Ford cars being the "alternative choice" because the shopper could not afford the Japanese or European MSRP.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by mrbirdman330

90% of all negative reactions were towards the stupid LED Chrome Vents as opposed to real fog lamps

Originally Posted by Sam DeLaGarza

RT (Wanted to match Verve concept and customers overwhelmingly chose LED's) @FordFiestaAsk Why aren't there fog lights offered? #fiestaAsk

Twitter / Sam DeLaGarza: RT (Wanted to match Verve ...

Some more quotes from Sam:

Yep the SFE package comes with the SFE logo!

Is the SFE package required to get 40 mpg? If so, what is MPG without it.
Yes. It's 38 mpg without SFE pkg

will there be a fiesta hybrid?
No plan for a Fiesta hybrid right now. Fuel Economy is Best in Class!

Does this vehicle come equipped with MYKEY?
No, MyKey is not available on the Fiesta

Which will get better mpg, manual or auto?
Auto gets better MPG, that's the power of Powershift 6 speed trans!

What's ur guess for Fiesta split between hatch/sedan? Sedan buyers are nuts, but that's a US thing...
Our estimate is somewhere close to 50-50.

It's a bit confusing - Ford's AdvanceTrac System w/ Electronic Stability Control (which is standard) includes ABS

will AdvanceTrac/ESC have a switch to completely turn it off?
Unfortunately, not

Premium Sound comes with SYNC Pkg and SYNC includes turn by turn Navigation (but no mapping capability)

Red Candy actually is a Tinted Clearcoat Paint. The FordTaurus is charging $295 for the same paint. It looks amazing.

Is the fiesta going to have a GPS option??
Turn by turn navigation is included with SYNC!

Why aren't there fog lights offered?
Wanted to match Verve concept and customers overwhelmingly chose LED's

Turn by turn nav is voice only (no mapping) with the SYNC system.

Tinted Clear and Tri-coat paints are applied with higher quality processes. Tri-coats are three layers/coats of paint.

dors Sync come standard?
SYNC is an option on SE Series and standard on SES or SEL series

Do hatchback models offer cruise ctrl
We call it Speed Control & its optional on SE and std on SES

New Release: FordFiesta Racks Up More Than 1,000 Reservations (IN 6 DAYS!), Builds on Fiesta Momentum

Fiesta will not replace Focus. More exciting news about Focus is coming next month!

[Marc]

Originally Posted by GhiaFan

U.S. demand could range from 30,000 to 70,000 units annually, Jim Farley, Ford group vice president of marketing and communications said .
Demand for the Fiesta "will be largely dependent on external factors like fuel price," Farley said.

[BRGT350]

Mr. Birdman seems to be suffering from a lack of facts syndrome. If you want to make wild claims, at least have something to back them up. Frankly, I am getting tired of all the BS. Talk with facts and sources. Also, if you think you can build a better B-Segment car, I suggest you get out your pen and paper and start designing one. Let me know when you have it ready for production.

[FiestaFan]

Originally Posted by mrbirdman330

If I were talking out of my ass I would be bragging how Ford could do no wrong how the Fiesta is the greatest little car in the world and there is no other car company that compares to Ford. That's talking out of ones ass, I see a reality side of the matter and look at the situation from two angles as opposed to most people who look at one angle. Ford is optimistic in the matter that they're going to have a high number of sales. Yes that may be true but I doubt in all reality that 100,000 sales for one year is going to be happening. Seeing how within a week of a reservation site going on and a rather low number of reservations happening sales are not going to be so high. I'm looking at a category range of the "If Lucky" were going to hit perhaps 30,000 unit sales or more. I can tell you right now that it actually isn't so much the styling of the car that is affecting these sales. Its the price and lack of some options, we all here had a small shock at the price of this little car. I'm sure many people are actually going to wait till the "initial glee" of this car is over, cars pile up on the lots and dealers want to clear out inventory so the good ol' discount and rebates programs kick in. I don't think people are going to go running like mad to a Ford Dealership to get one of these cars right off the bat. This isn't negativity speaking this is just a side of reality in looking at numbers. If Ford says they're going to sell such a high number, then the reservations number should be higher. Simply put, people are going to wait on a lower price for the car and honestly I think the hatch is actually more popular the sedan which is why numbers are low. The only thing I need to do is just sit back and keep taking in the numbers and keep track of the sales. Maybe Ford can pull of high sales but what they're bragging is way too high.

You want to talk about reality? Why refer to a supposedly huge number of negative comments on Car & Driver, Motor Trend etc when about the worst that's happening is maybe 10 people bemoaning the chrome driving lamp surrounds?

As for the "low" reserve rate, you don't have anything to compare it to, not in America anyway. And don't cite sports cars that got crazy reserve numbers, since they have a high initial enthusiast take-up anyway. You can't say the reserve numbers are shockingly low if there's nothing else to compare the numbers too. 1,000 reservations in one week, for a subcompact hatchback, is not something that's happened before.

Additionally your claim of Ford's 100k/year figure has already been refuted. They're expecting a low end of 30,000 per year, or a high figure of 70,000.

You're talking out of your ass because you're making unrealistic claims that are not in any way backed up by hard data.

Neither Ford nor the Fiesta are perfect, but the former has made huge strides and the latter will be a superb little car (best in the world? Well, there are many who I think would say so). I'm cautiously predicting a reasonable success for this car based on everything I've seen. You, on the other hand, based entirely on the lack of foglamps and other MINOR details instead relentlessly put forth utterly baseless doom-and-gloom forecasts that are starting to make it look like you really want this car to fail. Much more so than any of the supposed "old guard" in Dearborn might desire it, too, I should think.

Like BRGT350 I grow tired of this crap. You can complain about the car all you want but the BS claims and eager predictions of failure aren't going to earn you any friends here (well, there's golf strom, he's cheering for the failure of this car). I, for one, find your hypocrisy offensive.