How many people think the Fiesta / Fiesta ST will come back to North America one day?

[KWeaver]

How are you supposed to drive the dual clutch trannies? GF had a fiesta SEL that started giving her the death rumble before she sold it. She's not an aggressive driver in the least so I'd think her babying would make it last longer.

You're supposed to drive them fairly aggressively as crazy as that sounds ><

The trans is basically a manual that is being shifted for you. Perhaps "aggressive" is the wrong term; maybe purposeful would be more accurate.

 

[RubenZZZ]

You're supposed to drive them fairly aggressively as crazy as that sounds >
The trans is basically a manual that is being shifted for you. Perhaps "aggressive" is the wrong term; maybe purposeful would be more accurate.

This. Americans are used to soft-shifting slushbox automatic transmissions. The DCTs need to be driven harder so they function correctly.

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[karp]

I am in Poland on business right now. Still haven't seen the ST, but I've seen a few 5-door Fiestas. They look awful nice .

I am astounded by the lack of choice we suffer in the "greatest country in the world".

 

[Hypergram]

Listen up Ford! If you like making money, even a little bit of money. You should release a limited number of the new MK8 Fiesta ST’s to the US market. Forget about the basic economic modals, we just want the ST. These cars should be assembled in your European factory so you don’t have to tool up two factory’s like you did with the USDM ones. Somewhere between 1000-2000 units should do it. I’m sure there are enough enthusiasts that would purchase these, I would.

Do we need to petition or put together a group buy to make this happen?

Unfortunately, Ford will almost definitely never do this. It just wouldn't be financially viable to them. Only selling 2,000 or so of the cars wouldn't account for the various import costs and paperwork on their part, plus they would have to train their employees to work on them and stock parts. It would make more sense for them to just bring the car over in its entirety at that point. Major corporations are really only concerned with money at the end of the day.

 

[Snrub]

I picked "never." If you look at the time between the last two periods of sub-compact car popularity in North America, there was a ~25 year gap. It's possible another period might occur again, but the difference this time is CUV/SUVs may wipe out cars before then.

The actual costs for a manufacturer to develop and manufacture a given vehicle is not radically different between models. As an example using a couple year old data, VAG (VW) makes 75% of their profits from their premium brands and 25% from their volume brands and they do a lot of platform sharing. I believe that's similar to the norm for the industry. CUV/SUVs are kind of the like premium vehicles. Small cars have exceedingly small margins. Look at the typical selling price of the Focus vs. the Escape on the same platform. The difference is almost all profit. Ford could probably lose 4 of 5 Focus buyers, convert 1 to a Escape and be ahead financially. People are willing to pay more for these types of vehicles. This is the unfortunate reality.

 

[DigitalDrew]

Feasible in 5-10 if a few things change. Hackett will have to go, which I think he will before too long. His all SUV approach is, IMO, very short-sighted and leaves Ford no out if the market changes suddenly. There are already signs of the cultural backlash against the SUV with the rush for every brand to have 15 models in the catalog. Its burning people out and cannibalizing itself. If you talk with dealers, they are flush with inventory and SUV's are sitting long enough that they are getting really nervous. Also, if you recall, Ford did want to bring the Focus Activ here but some changes in trade policy made that a no-go. Creating a trade-friendly environment may create enough incentive to venture back into the small and mid-sized market if those SUV-fatigue fears hit the boardroom.

 

[PunkST]

Not going to happen. Most americans are expanding horizontally at a rate that boggles the mind.

 

[Mikey456]

If you want to see where Ford is going with their cars check out Electric Ford Mustang shooting brake concept. I guess they are aiming for Tesla.


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[XR650R]

I was saying that about the DCT years ago. I had no problems driving my DCT Focus. The 1 liter 5 speed could be a fun cheap car.

Yeah, they shift just fine if you know how to shift them.

Most Americans can't deal with that.

 

[Scotman2]

I checked "never". Ford will have it's hands full just to successfully launch the Mach E. The industry is realizing that they might be able to get some cost advantage with an EV chassis that could be tophatted for other segments and it has fewer components and won't be internal combustion that requires a whole development and compliance regime that also adds cost.
If the current glut of used crossover suv's cannot be relieved and used car prices collapse, we are going to see the monthly lease payment that moves so many SUV's off lot's explode to new levels of stupid. I doubt that many people are going to get excited about a $35 k base price for the Ecosport 4wd that today stickers for $25k.
If the Mach E fails, Ford will be wrangling with a near death blow hit to it's reputation for technical capability.

 

[Snrub]

If the current glut of used crossover suv's cannot be relieved and used car prices collapse, we are going to see the monthly lease payment that moves so many SUV's off lot's explode to new levels of stupid. I doubt that many people are going to get excited about a $35 k base price for the Ecosport 4wd that today stickers for $25k.
If the Mach E fails, Ford will be wrangling with a near death blow hit to it's reputation for technical capability.

The interesting thing is, have there been any truly bad EVs introduced in say the last 5 years? The total cost of ownership isn't that different now between gas vs. EVs. That said, gas is obviously extraordinarily cheap right now. I can't see any reason why people aren't interested in EVs for say 1 car in a 2 car household. Consumers don't seem interested in changing.

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

I checked "never". Ford will have it's hands full just to successfully launch the Mach E. The industry is realizing that they might be able to get some cost advantage with an EV chassis that could be tophatted for other segments and it has fewer components and won't be internal combustion that requires a whole development and compliance regime that also adds cost.
If the current glut of used crossover suv's cannot be relieved and used car prices collapse, we are going to see the monthly lease payment that moves so many SUV's off lot's explode to new levels of stupid. I doubt that many people are going to get excited about a $35 k base price for the Ecosport 4wd that today stickers for $25k.
If the Mach E fails, Ford will be wrangling with a near death blow hit to it's reputation for technical capability.

Considering the Mach e is reportedly sold out I think that it won't fail. Mach e customers are non enthusiasts comparing crossovers from Hyundai and the model Y from Tesla. I see it hard for the Mach e to fail regardless how I feel about it.

Cars are dead. People want self driving, cheap to maintain, big boxes to roll around in. EVs crossovers are the answer for them.

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[TORQHEAD]

I'm prepared for my kids to make fun of me for my 25 year old Fiesta ST that I've rebuilt a dozen times...

I held on to my 99 Escort ZX2 until only a few years ago...just sayin

Seems like the only option if you want a car that packages up like the ST and has the healthy aftermarket support.

We'd all have to go to other brands to remain seated in hot hatches unless we want to tear off our sleeves and sport hockey hair in a muscle car.

Other brand substitutions...
VW GTI or R (unreliable)
Hyundai Veloster N (more plastic than a blowup doll)
Hyundai Elantra GT hatch (Your mom thinks is "cute")
Honda Civic SI or R (Uglier than your sisters fat friend)

Read some articles about a turbo rally inspired awd Toyota Yaris...but I doubt anything like that will come to [emoji631]





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[theblue]

you guys do understand the the major barrier is the cost of crash testing them. the worst thing would be do that and only sell a few.

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

I'm prepared for my kids to make fun of me for my 25 year old Fiesta ST that I've rebuilt a dozen times...

I held on to my 99 Escort ZX2 until only a few years ago...just sayin

Seems like the only option if you want a car that packages up like the ST and has the healthy aftermarket support.

We'd all have to go to other brands to remain seated in hot hatches unless we want to tear off our sleeves and sport hockey hair in a muscle car.

Other brand substitutions...
VW GTI or R (unreliable)
Hyundai Veloster N (more plastic than a blowup doll)
Hyundai Elantra GT hatch (Your mom thinks is "cute")
Honda Civic SI or R (Uglier than your sisters fat friend)

Read some articles about a turbo rally inspired awd Toyota Yaris...but I doubt anything like that will come to [emoji631]



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I'm considering a grown up/ possible replacement for the fist. Veloster n drives the closest to the fist. Awesome active exhaust and drive modes, lsd, more power. Crap interior And useless roofline and hatch area for me.

Elantra gt [emoji1418] pretty bad interior. No power

VW GTI/R. Much more grown up and capable, way better interior. Not as fun to drive, but faster. More comfortable to just cruise. Reliability issues outside of warranty. More discreet looks. I'm heavily considering a golf r dsg at the moment with a stage 1 by apr to keep warranty. Tempting

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[CarGuy]

I'm considering a grown up/ possible replacement for the fist. Veloster n drives the closest to the fist. Awesome active exhaust and drive modes, lsd, more power. Crap interior And useless roofline and hatch area for me.

Elantra gt [emoji1418] pretty bad interior. No power

VW GTI/R. Much more grown up and capable, way better interior. Not as fun to drive, but faster. More comfortable to just cruise. Reliability issues outside of warranty. More discreet looks. I'm heavily considering a golf r dsg at the moment with a stage 1 by apr to keep warranty. Tempting

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They now make an Elantra GT Turbo with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. It should be fairly close to the FiST power wise.

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[HBEcoBeaST]

They now make an Elantra GT Turbo with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. It should be fairly close to the FiST power wise.

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Interesting. Still not a worthy FiST replacement IMO. i30N? Definitely yes [emoji1303]

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[CarGuy]

Interesting. Still not a worthy FiST replacement IMO. i30N? Definitely yes [emoji1303]

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Likely not but power-wise it will be close. Hyundai is making better and better vehicles and more performance oriented so while it may not be as good as the FiST it may be closer than many think. You wont know until you compare the two. Comparing them on paper is one thing but back to back tests will show the pros and cons between the two.

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[HBEcoBeaST]

Likely not but power-wise it will be close. Hyundai is making better and better vehicles and more performance oriented so while it may not be as good as the FiST it may be closer than many think. You wont know until you compare the two. Comparing them on paper is one thing but back to back tests will show the pros and cons between the two.

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I've driven an Elantra n line and a Veloster n. While approaching near FiST levels of power stock, the Elantra n line doesn't have the aftermarket support or the dynamic handling. It isn't anywhere near as fun or engaging to drive. The Veloster n is great fun, fast, and engaging only dings are mediocre interior and awkward shape makes roof racks and large cargo a bit harder to manage.

Hyundai is getting there but the Elantra as available in the USA is a commuter car IMO. Kind of like a Camry or Corolla sport.

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[The Cuzi]

I would love for the Fiestas to come home, but I don't think they will. Sad to say it but we're kind of a small niche of the automotive community. Most folks in the US only want to go point a to point b and don't really care how they get there. The few who are interested in sports cars are typically a little more pretentious and want the turn-key go-fast cars. I hope the trend changes but in my region, it feels like the car culture is dying.