[GhiaFan]

Check the Ford rep and his very detail mention of rear fog lights, manual headlight adjustment etc. He does a really good job IMO.

The test drive is the 1.4L automatic tranny version.


But the ladies are quite impressed as you will hear and see in this video
http://bit.ly/67Vtn

It would be great to see more of these videos from the Ride & Drive Events!
If others come across them it would be appreciated if you posted them here

 

[BRGT350]

funny he mentioned some of the features that are not going to be on the US cars, unless, Ford got smart and decided to keep them for the US car. If so, FocalJet will be happy! Great review from the event.

 

[Mark Kleis]

The rear fog was the only thing I noticed that we likely won't get- and honestly, I could care less.

If someone uses the removal of the rear fog as a reason why they won't buy a Fiesta then /methinks they never were going to get one anyway.

 

[golf strom]

funny he mentioned some of the features that are not going to be on the US cars, unless, Ford got smart and decided to keep them for the US car. If so, FocalJet will be happy! Great review from the event.

Compared to just a decade ago it is quite easy these days to have features included just by way of software plug and play. My guess is that all it takes to activate a feature like the rear fog, headlamp level adusters, or single side parking lamps is simply to literally type a few keys on a computer that programs the convienence control modules in the cars and turn on or off such a feature. Often times due to economy of scale the hardware items are always included (bulb, wiring, ect) regardless of which market a car goes to. Of course they might have to use the euro switch for things like the HL level adj, rr fog, sspl, but then all the more reason to simply use the euro switch since it will be cheaper for Ford to source one part than product two different parts for the same use. This is just plain logic and reason.

Now one thing that won't be plug and play, the crappy US specific seats that Ford Dearborn insists on using over the already excellent euro seat. Earth to Ford ---KEEP THE EURO SPEC SEATING!

 

[Mark Kleis]

Now one thing that won't be plug and play, the crappy US specific seats that Ford Dearborn insists on using over the already excellent euro seat. Earth to Ford ---KEEP THE EURO SPEC SEATING!

Did you get to sit in the US spec Fiesta seats?

What about the Euro seats, did you sit in those?

 

[golf strom]

Did you get to sit in the US spec Fiesta seats?

What about the Euro seats, did you sit in those?

I haven't sat in the New Fiesta seats US or Euro, BUT I Have spent quite a lot of time behind the wheel of many Euro Fords from MKI and II Focus, previous generation Fiesta, and MK I and II Mondeo, and various US Ford cars 2006 Focus, Taurus, ect, and I can tell you that EVERYTIME the euro Ford seating just slams the quality of the US offerings. I am completely serious.

Also take a look at this vid comparing the US and Euro spec Fiesta seats...you'll notice that the interviewer when he sits in both makes NO positive comments about the supposedly "better" US seat.

Also look at the shape, contour and thickness of the seat cushion bottoms especially. The US seat bottom looks very flat unsupportive, and THIN, which you can bet will make the seat tiring to sit in over long periods of time compared to the euro seat. It even looks CHEAP compared to the euro version.

Check this video out....

YouTube - The Science of Seat Comfort - Part 4

 

[azulejost]

I've gotta say, the US seat in that video may be the thinnest seat cushion I've seen used in a production vehicle. Almost concept car thin. If that means weight savings coupled with at least equal comfort and support I'm all for it. If not, seat comfort is not a place to cut 5 lbs. off a 2200 lbs. car.

 

[golf strom]

I've gotta say, the US seat in that video may be the thinnest seat cushion I've seen used in a production vehicle. Almost concept car thin. If that means weight savings coupled with at least equal comfort and support I'm all for it. If not, seat comfort is not a place to cut 5 lbs. off a 2200 lbs. car.

I would bet you that the amount of foam subtracted from that US spec seat is less than three or four ounces in weight at most. I am just as certain that they are not using some magical version of foam or the like for the US seat that would make up for the difference for the comfort and or strain you will suffer if you take this thing on long trips vs the european seat.

Hey Dearborn, forget the center armrest and give me excellent seats instead.

 

[Mark Kleis]

I haven't sat in the New Fiesta seats US or Euro

Also take a look at this vid comparing the US and Euro spec Fiesta seats...you'll notice that the interviewer when he sits in both makes NO positive comments about the supposedly "better" US seat.

Also look at the shape, contour and thickness of the seat cushion bottoms especially. The US seat bottom looks very flat unsupportive, and THIN, which you can bet will make the seat tiring to sit in over long periods of time compared to the euro seat. It even looks CHEAP compared to the euro version.

Check this video out....

YouTube - The Science of Seat Comfort - Part 4

Ok, so let me say this: I have spent about 3,000 miles in the Euro seat, so I have a fairly firm idea (excuse the pun) of what it feels like. Although the seats are comfy when you first get in, and look fantastic, the more I critique them I notice they are really quite small.

Mind you, I am 5'8'', maybe 165-170 (not exactly a "big" guy) and my back/shoulders BARELY fits inside the allotted area. The seats have so much side cushioning it almost pushes you out of the seat, and for a large individual, it would. For the same reason I wasn't a huge fan of the Ricaro/Euro seats in my GF's RSX.

So, when I consider the fact that Europeans on average are smaller than Americans, I am starting to think a different seat is a good idea. A small person can fit in a flatter, less obtrusive support-style seat just fine, but what about larger people trying to fit into the Euro seat? They literally won't be able to fit! People talk about American auto companies making poor business decisions, and I honestly think that putting seats in the car to cater to a SMALL minority that will make the car incredibly uncomfortable or flat un-usable to a large majority would be silly.

Now I realize the importance of not killing off all the things that make the Euro spec Fiesta a great car, trust me, I get that, but at the same time I think some people are taking this overboard with their never-ending complaints about things they don't even understand, or haven't even seen.

another concept that I think people over look is that Ford has a lagging perception behind the reality of their quality. If they over night decide to make their cars the best quality in EVERY SINGLE aspect with every single detail and request put into the vehicle they will have to raise their prices and stop their discounts all at once. People will freak out.

If they instead make big steps, but make them STEPS of increasing quality and out-doing the competition in most (but not 100%) areas they can slowly start to justify their premium prices. Ford isn't in a position to be selling a sub-compact with 100% premium everything...but they are darn close, and I think people making a stink over a virtually worthless rear fog light and seats that you haven't even been in is just going a little too far.

But maybe that's just me (Seriously, nothing personal, just trying to show the other side of the coin here)

 

[BRGT350]

I got the Fiesta seat adjusted and find it to be great! From a safety standpoint, I want rear mounted fog lamps and leveling headlights. Driving at night thru snowstorms, having the rear fog lamp is a much needed peice of safety. Audi's/VW's/Jags all use theirs at night during snow storms. When I get my fiesta, I will find a way to get the rear lamp working. Some wire, a bulb housing, toggle switch, and I am back to being safe.

 

[golf strom]

Ok, so let me say this: I have spent about 3,000 miles in the Euro seat, so I have a fairly firm idea (excuse the pun) of what it feels like. Although the seats are comfy when you first get in, and look fantastic, the more I critique them I notice they are really quite small.

Mind you, I am 5'8'', maybe 165-170 (not exactly a "big" guy) and my back/shoulders BARELY fits inside the allotted area. The seats have so much side cushioning it almost pushes you out of the seat, and for a large individual, it would. For the same reason I wasn't a huge fan of the Ricaro/Euro seats in my GF's RSX.

Although I have not sat in the new Fiesta seats, I have sat in the previous generation Fiesta seats and they are almost identical to what is in this new car. I'm a few pounds thinner than you but I seriously didn't ever notice feeling constrained in those seats, at all. I drove a previous gen Fiesta for nearly 5 hours straight with a couple of quick stops and had absolutely no discomfort nor strain from seat time. I personally like the side bolsters it makes you feel more integrated with the car, heck this IS supposed to be a sporty euro car they are marketing here.

So, when I consider the fact that Europeans on average are smaller than Americans, I am starting to think a different seat is a good idea. A small person can fit in a flatter, less obtrusive support-style seat just fine, but what about larger people trying to fit into the Euro seat?

Actually in many European markets this isn't true, they are actually taller than the avg American.

So Dearborn thinks that that it's OK for almost half the potential customers that aren't fat to roll around in that wide seat?
What the heck?

I honestly think that putting seats in the car to cater to a SMALL minority that will make the car incredibly uncomfortable or flat un-usable to a large majority would be silly.

Actually it would be what maybe less than half the US population is fat so that actually seems like a bad business decision as well.

I think some people are taking this overboard with their never-ending complaints about things they don't even understand, or haven't even seen.

I understand seating comfort pretty well, I have been in the euro spec Fords over the years as well as the US spec Fords (not to mention plenty of other brands as well) and I can say overall that the Dearborn seats GENERALLY are not too good, while the FoE models had EXCELLENT wear, comfort, and reduced fatigue.

another concept that I think people over look is that Ford has a lagging perception behind the reality of their quality. If they over night decide to make their cars the best quality in EVERY SINGLE aspect with every single detail and request put into the vehicle they will have to raise their prices and stop their discounts all at once. People will freak out.

Then WHY decontent and downgrade something as CRITICAL as the seating?!!!?!? Ford is building this car in Mexico (low production costs) and many of the parts vendors are in low production cost countries so it shouldn't be too difficult for Ford to keep the most critical items as they already are.

If they instead make big steps, but make them STEPS of increasing quality and out-doing the competition in most (but not 100%) areas they can slowly start to justify their premium prices. Ford isn't in a position to be selling a sub-compact with 100% premium everything...but they are darn close

Although I don't have alot of respect for marketing guys, I do understand this aspect with Ford in the US.

I think people making a stink over a virtually worthless rear fog light and seats that you haven't even been in is just going a little too far.

If it IS true that somehow Ford can save a few bucks by deleting the rear fog and sspl, fine, but if you read my other posts it probably will cost them MORE to delete this for one or two markets vs keeping it, since they have to manufacture different HL switches...unless they already have them being produced for other markets, but I can't think of ANY other market in the world where the rr fog lamp is restricted.

I'm not budging at all on the seating. Period. The one way they could solve this to my and others satisfaction is to simply offer up the euro spec seat as an option, at a slight additional cost. That would suit me fine. I'l gladly do without the silly center armrest, sync, and the like.

But maybe that's just me (Seriously, nothing personal, just trying to show the other side of the coin here)

No problem, that is why we have forums here so folks can debate things, nothing wrong with a discussion.

 

[golf strom]

I got the Fiesta seat adjusted and find it to be great!

Haha, no surprise there. Like I mentioned in other posts I haven't been able to sit in the new Fiesta, but I have been in the previous generation Fiesta (almost identical seats to this new model) and found excellent comfort, and NO fatigue during a 5 hr drive through Europe.

So you have ONE single person that has an issue with the Euro Fiesta seating...ONE, that we know of. From all the agents, to the general public that have driven the car, ONE complaint.

If you're really fat or obese you probably aren't going to be interested in a smaller car anyway, you'd probably drive a crown vic, minvan or truck.

Ford needs to offer up the euro spec seat as an option at a slight additional cost.

From a safety standpoint, I want rear mounted fog lamps and leveling headlights. Driving at night thru snowstorms, having the rear fog lamp is a much needed peice of safety. Audi's/VW's/Jags all use theirs at night during snow storms. When I get my fiesta, I will find a way to get the rear lamp working. Some wire, a bulb housing, toggle switch, and I am back to being safe.

Same here.

It will almost CERTAINLY cost Ford MORE to delete items like the rear fog, leveling headlamps, and sspl, because they have to produce a different control module AND headlamp switch assy JUST for one or two markets.

There are NO legal restrictions on these features as far as I know, as many cars today have leveling headlamps ( eg. VW GTI) and rr fogs (audi, volvo, ect) and sspl (mercedes, ect)

I can do without sync and the center armrest for sure.

 

[Mark Kleis]

heck this IS supposed to be a sporty euro car they are marketing here.

Actually, no, the car is being marketed as a premium subcompact... nowhere in my literature is it being marketed as "sporty." Now, granted, if they offer a true SPORT (R/S/ST/RS) model, then yes, it would make sense to have sport style seats. But as-is, the car is being marketed as a cheap, fun, high quality driver.

Actually in many European markets this isn't true, they are actually taller than the avg American.

The average European IS smaller (height and weight) than the average American. That's a fact. not sure what the point of trying to mention individual markets is? I'm sure I could find an individual market in the US that didn't fit the overall trend... but that would be just as meaningless.

So Dearborn thinks that that it's OK for almost half the potential customers that aren't fat to roll around in that wide seat?
What the heck?

Am I fat at 165 pounds?
My F150 had REALLY flat seats compared to the Focus/Fiesta seats, and yet I didn't "roll around" in my seats. I had that truck lowered with a street sport suspension, 22s, and engine upgrades- I drove the snot out of it and never had problems sliding around my seats. They were leather, too.

Actually it would be what maybe less than half the US population is fat so that actually seems like a bad business decision as well.

Sigh.... again, I'll even keep this simple and use fat/not fat since you think it is that simple...

A fat person can fit in a less sport tuned seat. A fat person CAN NOT fit in sport tuned seat. A not fat person can fit in a less sport tuned seat, and a not fat person can fit in a sport tuned seat.

Thus, common sense tells me that a non-sport tuned seat will accommodate more people.

Then WHY decontent and downgrade something as CRITICAL as the seating?!!!?!? Ford is building this car in Mexico (low production costs) and many of the parts vendors are in low production cost countries so it shouldn't be too difficult for Ford to keep the most critical items as they already are.

You have your mind clearly made up that the new seats will be a downgrade and just plain abysmal, and you literally have never even touched them, or sat in them. Maybe you should hold off passing such a harsh judgment until you actually sit in the seat and see if it is truly such a "downgrade."

I'm not budging at all on the seating. Period. The one way they could solve this to my and others satisfaction is to simply offer up the euro spec seat as an option, at a slight additional cost. That would suit me fine. I'l gladly do without the silly center armrest, sync, and the like.

Again, you are approaching this as if YOU represent the entire market. You don't, not even close. Your size, first of all, does not represent Americans. Then, your taste does not either... you say you could care less about Sync, get rid of it, and yet Americans prefer Sync so much that cars on the lots with Sync vs no Sync move off the lot TWICE as fast!

My point is I think you need to step back and realize there is a BIG picture here, and that sadly when you are talking about selling a product to a massive market with a wide range of customers sometimes certain things can't be exactly how you want them.

Heck, I think the cheesy chrome accents around the fog lights and on the rear hatch should come painted, but a lot of people prefer chrome...and I get that. So I'm not starting mailing campaigns to try and change something that I know makes business sense...just like Ford probably "gets it" better than either of us.

Remember on FJ when the 2008 Focus came out how everyone said it was terrible and Ford was doomed? The sales since the release have been far better than the Focus had seen in years...

So you have ONE single person that has an issue with the Euro Fiesta seating...ONE, that we know of. From all the agents, to the general public that have driven the car, ONE complaint.

LOL. So when and where did you poll the agents? I must have missed that.
There isn't an outlet for "the general public" to make mention of it, nor have many been in the car, and especially not for extended periods of time.
Again, you only see things how you want to see them from your perspective.

Do you think Ford is doing this because they don't want to sell cars? Or do you think Ford is trying to sell cars? Just a thought.

If you're really fat or obese you probably aren't going to be interested in a smaller car anyway, you'd probably drive a crown vic, minvan or truck.

The word "ignorant" comes to mind. Especially considering the fact that I am athletic, fit, and even smaller than the average American. Your theory holds water about as well as a strainer.

Ford needs to offer up the euro spec seat as an option at a slight additional cost.

It will almost CERTAINLY cost Ford MORE to delete items like the rear fog, leveling headlamps, and sspl, because they have to produce a different control module AND headlamp switch assy JUST for one or two markets.

..and using exactly your argument it will almost certainly cost Ford more to offer Euro seats (even with a premium, and judging from your intentional use of the word SLIGHT you wouldn't be willing to pay for the true difference in cost) for just two small markets than to offer a single seat that would be accommodating to a larger audience. Remember, it isn't as simple as just bringing over the Euro seats that are already the way they are. Ford is going to manufacture locally, and they would have to make both sets of seats locally, or pay the high cost to import them. Neither makes sense, ESPECIALLY when you consider that the small car segment that the Fiesta belongs in as-is in sum total is LESS than 6% of the US market!! Then you figure that Ford will have a small piece of that, and you have a very small segment to justify so many options. It just doesn't make business sense.

There are NO legal restrictions on these features as far as I know, as many cars today have leveling headlamps ( eg. VW GTI) and rr fogs (audi, volvo, ect) and sspl (mercedes, ect)

..and what do ALL of those vehicles have in common? A price tag to justify the features. The Fiesta has more content than ANY car in its class even with the whopping 2 items that are being removed, and yet that still isn't enough. that's my point really... it will never be enough. There will always be someone to complain about what *they* want or don't want.

I can do without sync and the center armrest for sure.

...and that is a prime example. YOU may want Euro seats so bad you can feel it, but the majority of Americans would take sync over seats they won't even know they are missing any day.

 

[golf strom]

Actually, no, the car is being marketed as a premium subcompact... nowhere in my literature is it being marketed as "sporty." Now, granted, if they offer a true SPORT (R/S/ST/RS) model, then yes, it would make sense to have sport style seats. But as-is, the car is being marketed as a cheap, fun, high quality driver.

But most of the POTENTIAL customers for this car are perceiving it as "sporty" compared to the other offerings in the USA. The US marketing guys may not have planned on that but the consumers perception is king here. I'm not just thinking about MY opinion either, but the potential customer.

Although if you compare the new Fiesta (even the baseline model in Europe) it IS much sportier (suspension, steering, ect) compared to any other small b class compact car sold in the US today (except the Mini VERY VERY EXPENSIVE!), it is by far. I HAVE driven the previous generation Fiesta (non RS) and it blew away anything in its class that is currently sold in the USA.

The average European IS smaller (height and weight) than the average American. That's a fact. not sure what the point of trying to mention individual markets is? I'm sure I could find an individual market in the US that didn't fit the overall trend... but that would be just as meaningless.

That is NOT the case in Northern Europe (where most of the customers are TALLER on average than the typical American) and the Fiesta is selling very well there. So your arguement about the seats not being suitable for them seems to be unfounded.

Am I fat at 165 pounds?
My F150 had REALLY flat seats compared to the Focus/Fiesta seats, and yet I didn't "roll around" in my seats. I had that truck lowered with a street sport suspension, 22s, and engine upgrades- I drove the snot out of it and never had problems sliding around my seats. They were leather, too.

Sorry that you took that comment personally. I didn't mean YOU, I meant obese or fat folks in general.

I have driven in the Taurus, F 150 and I thought that the seats were unsupportive, uncomfortable as well, and sure enough I absolutely was sliding a bit when driving these (leather trimmed)

Sigh.... again, I'll even keep this simple and use fat/not fat since you think it is that simple...

A fat person can fit in a less sport tuned seat. A fat person CAN NOT fit in sport tuned seat. A not fat person can fit in a less sport tuned seat, and a not fat person can fit in a sport tuned seat.

Thus, common sense tells me that a non-sport tuned seat will accommodate more people.

I don't disagree that more folks can fit in the flat US style seat, yet I still don't believe that this is the REAL issue WHY Dearborn is changing the seat.

You have your mind clearly made up that the new seats will be a downgrade and just plain abysmal, and you literally have never even touched them, or sat in them. Maybe you should hold off passing such a harsh judgment until you actually sit in the seat and see if it is truly such a "downgrade."

Although I haven't actually had seat time in the US Fiesta seats, I hear excuses like your above from many mfr's and sure enough AFTER the design is released the customer DOES find it to be less than desirable.

You don't have to sit in them to SEE that the design is LESS contoured which almost certainly means less supportive, which leads me to conclude they will be MORE fatiguing than the European version. The bottom cushion is DEFINITELY thinner, no question about that. If they are using the same quality (specification) of foam it will be a worse place to sit.

Experience and past track records ARE worth plenty.

Again, you are approaching this as if YOU represent the entire market. You don't, not even close. Your size, first of all, does not represent Americans. Then, your taste does not either... you say you could care less about Sync, get rid of it, and yet Americans prefer Sync so much that cars on the lots with Sync vs no Sync move off the lot TWICE as fast!

But many Germans, Brits, Dutch, and others ARE about the same height/size as most Americans, if not TALLER.

Agreed about the sync. It's a neat feature, but it is a gimmick. It would be interesting to see just how many of those Americans use the sync features the year after they buy the car. But what the heck it makes money for Ford.

My point is I think you need to step back and realize there is a BIG picture here, and that sadly when you are talking about selling a product to a massive market with a wide range of customers sometimes certain things can't be exactly how you want them.

I understand this concept completely. But I also know the potential customer base and I think I'm generally in agreement with what most of the potential US customers will want.

Heck, I think the cheesy chrome accents around the fog lights and on the rear hatch should come painted, but a lot of people prefer chrome...and I get that. So I'm not starting mailing campaigns to try and change something that I know makes business sense..

I agree with your observation on this .

.just like Ford probably "gets it" better than either of us.

Their track record doesn't indicate this often in the past.

Remember on FJ when the 2008 Focus came out how everyone said it was terrible and Ford was doomed? The sales since the release have been far better than the Focus had seen in years...

The only reason WHY the 08 MKI Focus sold well was the timing of gas prices, luckily for Ford gas prices spiked just before the release of the 08 model.

Design wise and technically the MKI 08 US Focus is a dud that cost Ford a bundle to do. It would have cost them LESS to have simply DOT/EPA the MKII model and built in Mexico instead.

LOL. So when and where did you poll the agents? I must have missed that.
There isn't an outlet for "the general public" to make mention of it, nor have many been in the car, and especially not for extended periods of time.
Again, you only see things how you want to see them from your perspective.

After looking at many of the comments by agents I have yet to see one comment about the seats being uncomfortable (except by you), maybe they are there but I couldn't find them. Again many big Northern Europeans (taller than American on average) are buying the Fiesta in droves so the arguement about size doesn't fly with me.

..and what do ALL of those vehicles have in common? A price tag to justify the features.

Plenty ALL small cars in Europe have rear fogs, they are integrated into the tail lamp modules,( today even the bulbs/wiring are already installed so it costs more to delete these or manufacture second version for limited markets )

I'm telling you, from having an educated background in the production process, it WILL will cost Ford far MORE to produce duplicate items (control modules, HL switches, seats, ect) with small changes than simply to use the exact same parts when legally possible. You did say Ford wants to make money on this model, right?

The Fiesta has more content than ANY car in its class even with the whopping 2 items that are being removed, .

No arguement there.

...and that is a prime example. YOU may want Euro seats so bad you can feel it, but the majority of Americans would take sync over seats they won't even know they are missing any day.

Although you MAY be right, it may be the marketing agency is telling Ford that (what it wants to hear). I don't believe it is that easy to buy a 08-09 US Focus without Sync, so it's true that aside from ordering the car from the factory without it, most all the Foci sold will have it.

Sorry if you thought I was aiming my "obese/fat" observation at you. I wasn't .

 

[Ataru]

If you're really fat or obese you probably aren't going to be interested in a smaller car anyway, you'd probably drive a crown vic, minvan or truck.

I'm 5'11", 250lbs, and I love small cars. I've NEVER had an interest in a larger car and I don't want to own a big one at all. In fact, I feel that my Focus is too big of a car for my needs...

 

[golf strom]

The fact that the Fiesta IS selling so well in countries where folks tend to be bigger than the typical American, like the Netherlands, is pretty good proof that the Euro spec seating is perfectly suitable for Americans as well contrary to the Arguement Mark is using here.

Ataru:

Glad your interested in smaller cars, I probably offended some people by mentioning the words "fat" or "obese" people, but my comments weren't meant to offend, I was just being honest about my observations in everyday life. I have to say that I have rarely seen them in subcompact cars and I have worked in the automotive business for along time.

 

[Mark Kleis]

While walking down the side walk after parking yesterday I noticed a brand new Subaru WRX and checked the seats out. Notice how remarkably similar they are to the likely US spec seats? Wider, flatter, and thinner than the Euro spec seats currently in the Fiesta.

Don't you think they would go for a comfortable, yet accomodating seat that holds you in place for a car like that?

 

[golf strom]

Sure they probably would Mark, yet honestly unless the camera lens distorts the bottom seat cushion this Scooby seat bottom looks about the same thickness and bolster height as the Euro spec seat. I DO notice that it IS noticably wider though.

If you have an "in " with an engineer you might suggest this compromise to them...if the thhickness of the foam and bolster height is the same as the euro seat bottom I think folks like me would be very willing to compromise on that.

Just out of curiosity maybe you can find out the difference in price (vendor to Ford) between the euro spec seat and the current US spec seat unit. I'd be willing to pay about 250-350$ more for the Euro seats. But I'd think it would be a better compromise for both Ford and the US customer if they altered the US seat to be like the Scooby seat bottom in width.

 

[Mark Kleis]

Sure they probably would Mark, yet honestly unless the camera lens distorts the bottom seat cushion this Scooby seat bottom looks about the same thickness and bolster height as the Euro spec seat. I DO notice that it IS noticably wider though.

If you have an "in " with an engineer you might suggest this compromise to them...if the thhickness of the foam and bolster height is the same as the euro seat bottom I think folks like me would be very willing to compromise on that.

Just out of curiosity maybe you can find out the difference in price (vendor to Ford) between the euro spec seat and the current US spec seat unit. I'd be willing to pay about 250-350$ more for the Euro seats. But I'd think it would be a better compromise for both Ford and the US customer if they altered the US seat to be like the Scooby seat bottom in width.

I might be interviewing the head engineer for the Fiesta in the near future. I just finished a lengthy interview/discussion with Sam DeLaGarza (Fiesta brand manager) and I specifically addressed the seats and "de-contenting" fears of many.

His response was very promising in general as he said that he expects the US consumers to be pleasantly surprised once the official US spec car is released... the US should end up with MORE content than the Euro spec car, rather than the other way around.

We spoke for 1.5 hours, and I recorded 30 minutes or so which I will be going through and editing over the next week or so. I'll be sure to post my editorial (it will be published on Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry to continue my Fiesta Notebook series) in a week or so.

I doubt they can give an exact difference in cost between manufacturing the two seats, but as I understand it, and I think you do to (you touched on your idea that manufacturing different buttons etc costs more), the idea is that having the setup for two seats, rather than one or the other is where the added cost comes from.

Sam did say he wants me to be involved at the official reveal of the US spec car to do an official media review and comparison between the Euro spec and US spec cars. I think that will be towards November.

I will of course be writing about those differences.

 

[golf strom]

I might be interviewing the head engineer for the Fiesta in the near future. I just finished a lengthy interview/discussion with Sam DeLaGarza (Fiesta brand manager) and I specifically addressed the seats and "de-contenting" fears of many

His response was very promising in general as he said that he expects the US consumers to be pleasantly surprised once the official US spec car is released... the US should end up with MORE content than the Euro spec car, rather than the other way around.

Great. You know I would BE very impressed if Ford had a quick and responsive reaction to observations about certain design aspects by many potential customers, and changes them accordingly .

It really shouldn't be difficult for Ford to offer MORE content vs the Spanish and German built car because the production costs for the Fiesta in Mexico are going to be so low.

I'm thinking that the decontenting issue isn't so much with the amount of items in the car, as much as it is about damaging the character of the car when changing it. If you start removing all the neat little (and fairly inexpensive items) like the rr fog, sspl, driver adjustable HLs, and they like, it makes the product something less than it was when originally designed. The designers in Koln got it right and it would be a shame to compromise the integrity of the design .

I'll be sure to post my editorial (it will be published on Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry to continue my Fiesta Notebook series) in a week or so.

We are all looking forward to it.

I gotta say I am a sucker for auto design and technical discussions as you can probably tell.