wait, did ford get the hint?

[1FastB5]

i'll still hold my breath until i see these in person yet, but i think Ford is finally getting the hint that they need to offer some of their better european products here in the states. eager to capitalize on the whole fuel efficiency thing that is actually doing quite well for them with the fusion and the new taurus, they're starting to reconsider shifting some of their european products stateside.

the first form comes in the shape of the new fiesta...which is getting excellent reviews from independent testers and magazines here in the states, echoing what has already been known now for over a year in the UK. for once, it actually looks like a nice little hatchback that i would like to buy. honestly, this parked next to a rabbit and i'd have a hard choice.



after the fiesta, next coming to amercia is the new c-max which is already an award-winning MPV in the UK for its excellent driving dynamics and versatility. it looks quite a bit more exciting than the dead-on-arrival Freestar minivan that was discontinued 2 years ago. did anyone notice it was gone? didn't think so.



and for those of you that may have watched Jay Leno's new show, he has been running a "green car challenge" featuring the european Focus ST as an all-electric vehicle. i went on to the ford website to check it out and i was surprised what i saw in the comments section of this car.

now that the car has been shown in prime-time US television, the european Focus has gotten a lot of attention. there were pages of comments asking why focus isn't available here - some of which were quite angry saying ford has "dropped the ball" in the US market and that it should be sold here. based on the number of comments listed on their website, it sounds like the message is beginning to be heard and a few replies were from ford employees. they have posted saying that the face lifted version of the current car should be coming stateside in 2011.



plus, they've already put the european Transit Connect on sale as well. its a cool, kinda awkword looking panel van, but its a direct import from europe with almost no changes made to it - its even kept its front european platebracket and city lights. the full-size transit may be in line next to replace the dinosaur that is the econoline. transit ST delivery van with stripes anyone?

c'mon you know its cool when sabina took one around the 'ring



now i'll hold my breath -- but i hope these cars don't get watered down. at the time being, it looks like we might just get lucky. with all the positive reviews on how these cars drive and look, i think ford is getting the point that people want small, fun cars to drive again rather than dull shit boxes. a recent test on car and driver named the fiesta far ahead of the honda fit, and thats an excellent starting point. even in their review they were pleading with ford not to make any changes -- it was marked very highly for its brilliant handling and suspension and nicely packaged interior with a lot of options.

if these cars turn out being just as good as they are in europe, i think they will prove to be an excellent competitor to VW. they already are in the UK, i don't see why they can't be here too.

i know i'm gonna get flamed for this, but i WANT to buy a ford again, i really do. i think that the new fiesta or focus just might fit the bill to be an excellent daily driver thats just as good looking and as fun to drive as the germans.

[Digital K]

that van is rad.

[FJ540]

Fugly, as usual...

[shrykFC3S]

that van is rad.

That "rad" business belongs in the annoying slang thread.

But focus ST? Yes please.

[Die Frau]

meh.

[TTaM]

My 2010 Fusion is on order. I am rather excite for it

[FJ540]

I really like the ford GT, but they could save a lot of money by firing the rest of their designers.

GM's been hosing the works lately too. We get more advanced technology in uglier packages every year.

[toasted]

The van is gnarly. I would totaly drive it.

[shawn o]

The fact that the car companies are regulated by the EPA and DOT means that whatever cool european cars we get here, they will have a large amount of American only suck to go with the little amount of european cool that might be left.

[Lendo]

I wish the SHO didn't weigh 10,000 pounds.

[bennorz]

you'll love the rs

[BimmerTim]

It's so Euro it hurts.

[iceracer22]

the focus even has a volvo motor! still not a fan of it though

[toasted]

It's so Euro it hurts.

It's so euro we won't get it.

[nodubjustyet]

The Fiesta is a great car too... I was pleasently surprised with the one I rode in last week. An ST version would be fantastic.