GM to build Fiesta-fighter?

[CaysE]

I can give you the SVT Focus production numbers for '03 and '04 (there was no 5-door in '02):

2003:
3-door Total - 3,985
5-door Total - 2,173

2004:
3-door Total - 1,978
5-door Total - 1,079

While the raw numbers support the 3-door argument, in actuality the SVT was marketed as a performance compact where the majority of buyers want 3-doors. The fact that more than 1/3 of the total production numbers were 5-doors shows how popular the 5-door option is even in the performance market.

Placing myself in the consumer stats, I've owned three 3-door Focuses and would prefer having a 5-door hatch as a daily driver.

[mrbirdman330]

Also given the fact that in North America most buyers tend to refrain from purchasing Hatches. Sedans and SUV's are the main wants.

[CaysE]

That's outside the scope of the 3door vs. 5door argument, though.

[mrbirdman330]

Actually it adds into the equation quite a bit which is why Ford is being hesitant about bringing the hatch Fiesta over. At first all we were getting was the Sedan but there has been enough of a voice and a lack of a Sedan model to present to the people so they're bringing the hatch over now in the 5-door. Rumor has it we may get a 3-Door on it but understand and keep in mind the general attitude towards most Hatches is that Ricers snatch them then uglify them, and the common person prefers a sedan. Because we don't get the luxury of a full sized hatch like the Mondeo.

[CaysE]

If they're bringing a hatch over, the equation isn't that big anymore. Ford converted the Focus 3-door hatch to a 5-door just by moving the B pillar and adding two more doors. I don't know why they wouldn't consider it for the Fiesta if the hatch is already on its way.

As for the general attitude about hatches, that could not be further from the truth. Look at the Yaris, Prius, xA, xD, Mazda3, VWs, WRX... there are so many hatchbacks on the road these days already. Nobody is associating them with "ricers." And when you put a "common person" behind the seat of a hatchback, they quickly realize what they're missing out on. That's been happening for years already, and people are starting to understand that hatches make more sense. What else can transport a 42" TV and the entertainment center it sits in, outhandle bigger cars worth twice as much, seat 5, get 30 miles to the gallon and can haul ass down the track with a few mods?

[mrbirdman330]

Thats because people no longer want to own a vehicle that gets seven gallons to the mile and are slowly waking up due to gas prices going up and never coming back down. Assured and understand this, if gas were to go to $1.00 nation wide and remain there permenantly we'd see the exact same thing starting that happened a decade ago. North Americans running to SUV's and Trucks. It has been a general attitude for a very long time that North Americans don't like Hatch Backs, I find that the Toyota Yaris Sedan sells more than the Hatch, I see more Mazda 3 Sedans, I haven't actually ever seen a new Golf/Rabbit Hatch on the road here ever. I hardly ever see any Scions except for the XB which people associate as a station wagon/XUV. Its been discussed before on other forums I belong to, Americans are not fond of Hatchbacks and generaly their sales are always weak compared to the Sedan Model. If the Focus Hatch was so popular tell me this why did Ford drop it? Why did Ford originally plan to just have a Fiesta Sedan?

[CaysE]

Where do you live? I see hatchbacks all over the place in the NY metro area. I can see your point in less populated areas, but hatches are pretty popular here.

[mrbirdman330]

Middle of Iowa the Des Moines region, here its trucks, sedans and SUV's.