[Nels]

I watched this video review this morning:
YouTube - TFLcar.com - 2011 Ford Fiesta First Drive
At about 1:25 the reviewer says, " . . . . but since the information about how it drives is embargoed . . . "

What's up with that?

 

[iamz]

You're looking at an old video that was recorded during the press event Ford hosted. No one was allowed to publish any data until a certain date. That's common across the industry.

In any case, Marc's list of Reviews will keep you busy until your Fiesta arrives if you haven't already been through it.

2011 NA Fiesta http://fiestafaction.com/forums/2011-fiesta-facts/31330-reviews.html

 

[Nels]

Yeah, there are plenty of other reviews.

 

[golf strom]

"embargoed"? what a load of nonsense!
Probably just a method that PR uses to generate "reaction" to that statement..I guess it is clever...

The funny thing is that Ford was claiming that the US Fiesta would be handling and driving exactly like the European version so it really goes counter to what they were claiming in my view. The only reason you'd think they would embargo comments were IF the cars handled significantly differently....Jalponik actually DID say that the US version is slightly less nimble or "chuckable".


Notice how that "journalist" Michael Frank, mentions how quiet the Fiesta is for a subcompact car....and remember that the specifically indicated that he drove the European version of the Fiesta....so it's curious to me that Ford needed to supposedly add addtional insulation to the US car.....

 

[AlanBDahl]

The funny thing is that Ford was claiming that the US Fiesta would be handling and driving exactly like the European version so it really goes counter to what they were claiming in my view. The only reason you'd think they would embargo comments were IF the cars handled significantly differently....Jalponik actually DID say that the US version is slightly less nimble or "chuckable".

Everything I've read seems to indicate that the US version handles better than the European version, at least with the 16" tires. Any other variation can likely be explained by the Hankook or Kumho tires on the US model which a simple call to the Tire Rack can solve pretty easily. In fact I'm considering taking my tires off right away and replacing them with a set of Continental Extreme Contact DWS which should be a nice upgrade.

 

[Jazzdog]

They had waves of journalists driving the vehicle for a week in April. To make it fair for folks later in the week they "embargo" all reports until such & such a time afterward so all have equal opportunity to publish their reviews.

 

[Lil'Red]

Why is Golf Strom back?

 

[NLC-KC]

Why is Golf Strom back?

From the FAQ...

Can I block posts, emails and messages from specific users?

If there are particular members that bother you and you do not want to see their posts or receive Private Messages and Emails from them, then you can add these members to your 'Ignore List'. There are several ways to do this:

Through your User Control Panel: User CP, Settings & Options, Edit Ignore List. Then, type their name into the empty text box and click 'Okay'.

 

[dfw.embalmer]

What the Hell? Now there are problems with the way the car drives? Embargos on driving characteristics? Why is all this **** coming down now that we have all ordered the cars, and they are LATE? What the heck is Ford trying to hide all of the sudden?

 

[Lil'Red]

From the FAQ...

Can I block posts, emails and messages from specific users?

If there are particular members that bother you and you do not want to see their posts or receive Private Messages and Emails from them, then you can add these members to your 'Ignore List'. There are several ways to do this:

Through your User Control Panel: User CP, Settings & Options, Edit Ignore List. Then, type their name into the empty text box and click 'Okay'.

I know and have for over a month. Was told he was banned. I still have to read his"opinions" when you ans others reply to him. And everyone does seen to reply. Just wastes my time on a site that I feel otherwise does a great job.

 

[golf strom]

Well I don't recall that in that report or from any other car magazine that there are problems with the handling....

I do find it odd though that only "official" auto editors have actually been able to drive the US spec model up till at least the immediate moment. It does make me wonder.

The only thing "negative" that has been published (and it really isn't that negative" is that t he US car is not as "chuckable" as compared to the EU Fiesta...Jalponik claims that this is a small niggling issue that is so minor that it shouldn't take away from the overall handling impressions...perhaps only the very experienced driver that is very sensitive to handlinf dymanics will notice...only time will tell....

I do have to say that Ford "officially" claimed that the Fiesta would debut in showrooms in the "summer" of 2010..So that could mean ANY time from now unitil ? when this summer. I guess you could say technically it isn't late yet.


I will say ONE thing....it is far better to delay the launch if there are problems than to move ahead and then have customers dealing with issues as soon as they take delivery. Ford IS doing the right thing if there ARE issues ...BUT they also should just level with the public ....no one is going to berate them for making sure everything is right ...especially when you consider all the recalls that have been happening lately with other car makers.


I HAVE driven the EU Fiesta so I can't wait to get my hands on a US car to see if other folks lambasting me are correct or not for having my doubts about the altered model for the USA.


Lil Red if you go to "user cp" on the top bar of the site menu click then scroll down to the "settings and options menu, then there is a ignore member selection ..click on that...Then you can add me to "ignore".

 

[iamz]

What the Hell? Now there are problems with the way the car drives? Embargos on driving characteristics? Why is all this **** coming down now that we have all ordered the cars, and they are LATE? What the heck is Ford trying to hide all of the sudden?

I hope you're kidding? If not, reread the thread. In particular, read Jazzdog's reply.

 

[dfw.embalmer]

They had waves of journalists driving the vehicle for a week in April. To make it fair for folks later in the week they "embargo" all reports until such & such a time afterward so all have equal opportunity to publish their reviews.

That sounds like BS to me.....what does it matter? First come...First serve...everybody has an opinion....why make everyone publish them at the same time....sounds like they wanted to review and censor any reports that did not meet their "promotional timing" otherwise, they are hiding something.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Actually its most intelligent to have them all publish at the same time to prevent any I think the term is ''Yellow Journalism'' or something of that matter. It's been explained many automotive magazines and such are very ''Japanese Biased'' in their articles and opinions on cars. If it isn't Japanese mainly Honda the article is more bashing than praise. Do you honestly as a manufacturer want somebody who throw an article out two weeks ahead of others that is all bash while others praise. I wouldn't, the damage has been done. People read it, tell others and wha'am small sales because the ''first impression'' is the lasting impression. Keep it fair keep it even and it helps out immensely from somebody who rates your product with a mind that is already in the red of not wanting to like it with those who do come in with a mostly open mind and get their expectations blown away. Look at the situation from a Manufacturers POV, the embargo was smart.

 

[BRGT350]

That sounds like BS to me.....what does it matter? First come...First serve...everybody has an opinion....why make everyone publish them at the same time....sounds like they wanted to review and censor any reports that did not meet their "promotional timing" otherwise, they are hiding something.

did you read what Jazzdog said? The embargo is to allow journalists time to put together their stories and release them together. Would it be fair if Motor Trend released their report a week before a smaller firm, like Speed Sport Life? No, everyone should get fair exposure for their reviews. Every automaker embargo's test drives for new products so all the journalists have time to get the stories written. Check out Autoblog, they always tell you what they are testing, but results are embargoed until xx date. Ford is not hiding anything, and to suggest anything otherwise would be a flat out lie.

 

[ibinubu12]

Oh for God's sake. This is how it has ALWAYS been done.

Ever notice that all the "first drives" of just-in-production models are published on blogs at... 12:01 AM? See Autoblog's First Drive of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a non-Ford example. They all do that. It is designed to limit the "OMG, I WANT ONE!!!!!" people from running to a dealership that DOESN'T HAVE ANY. They don't want to be like GM with the Camaro - build excitement 2 years early, and then when it launches, everyone is already bored by it.

Not everything is a conspiracy, folks. Let's all just breathe in...

 

[Marc]

I watched this video review this morning:
YouTube - TFLcar.com - 2011 Ford Fiesta First Drive
At about 1:25 the reviewer says, " . . . . but since the information about how it drives is embargoed . . . "

What's up with that?

The video was posted 4/21, so was likely filmed a day or so earlier.
But Ford embargoed all reviews until 4/26 so everybody had a fair change of whipping up a review. Which they did.

That's all.

 

[FiestaFan]

Notice how that "journalist" Michael Frank, mentions how quiet the Fiesta is for a subcompact car....and remember that the specifically indicated that he drove the European version of the Fiesta....so it's curious to me that Ford needed to supposedly add addtional insulation to the US car.....

Um, pretty sure he's in a US spec when he says that, unless the Euro Fiesta comes in yellow now:

YouTube - TFLcar.com - 2011 Ford Fiesta first driving impressions

 

[golf strom]

Um, pretty sure he's in a US spec when he says that, unless the Euro Fiesta comes in yellow now:

YouTube - TFLcar.com - 2011 Ford Fiesta first driving impressions

He IS driving the US spec car ...but he state essentially that , " due to the embargo I can't comment on the specifics of the US car, but I can tell you that I was in a similar model (has to the EU Fiesta he is referring to) and it was quiet and handling was good..ect "

It isn't word for word but you can check out the vid and see for yourself...

 

[FiestaFan]

He IS driving the US spec car ...but he state essentially that , " due to the embargo I can't comment on the specifics of the US car, but I can tell you that I was in a similar model (has to the EU Fiesta he is referring to) and it was quiet and handling was good..ect "

It isn't word for word but you can check out the vid and see for yourself...

Or you can check out the link I posted, from 5 days later, where he actually DID drive the US car and could say what he liked about it.