My 1st Ever Pro Editorial on a Major News Site!

[Lumadar]

I'm really excited about this- big time. I wrote up an editorial introducing the car (2009 Euro spec, 2011 US spec Ford Fiesta), the Fiesta Movement, and myself. I will be writing bi-weekly articles as well as creating picture and video content to share with the world as well.

So far the comments are overwhelming positive about my article, and the car. I couldn't be happier!

At any rate, here is the article...

Fiesta Notebook: Week one in Ford’s new premium subcompact

Let me know what you think!

[salty]

Very nice write-up and congrats on the writing job.

Sounds like a neat car, and it's about time that the compact car gets some recognition.

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by salty

Very nice write-up and congrats on the writing job.

Sounds like a neat car, and it's about time that the compact car gets some recognition.

Thanks! ...and I agree. I'm hoping the Fiesta will help to raise the bar in the segment and make all the players take it more seriously. The problem is the segment represents only 5% of the US market...and with such low profit margins there isn't a whole lot of incentive for manufacturers to chase it.

[ZaneO]

Congrats again and very nice article!

[thesacrifice]

I'm hoping that the Fiesta is leading the way for the Focus RS.. I want that!

[Jason M]

Originally Posted by Lumadar

I'm hoping the Fiesta will help to raise the bar in the segment and make all the players take it more seriously.

Raising the bar is a tough thing for American car companies to do it seems. More like trying to limbo under the bar. I spend a lot of time in Europe and the small car segment is GREAT there. Not seen as crappy econoboxes but more as sporty transportation. I think that is the point that the big 3 tend to lose. It's not just about being cheap. It's about making a great car....just smaller. I hope Ford can make it happen as buying American is always a good practice if the products are on par.

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by ZaneO

Congrats again and very nice article!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by thesacrifice

I'm hoping that the Fiesta is leading the way for the Focus RS.. I want that!

I hear you... and you know Ford made comment that they are considering bringing us the RS...

Originally Posted by Jason M

Raising the bar is a tough thing for American car companies to do it seems. More like trying to limbo under the bar. I spend a lot of time in Europe and the small car segment is GREAT there. Not seen as crappy econoboxes but more as sporty transportation. I think that is the point that the big 3 tend to lose. It's not just about being cheap. It's about making a great car....just smaller. I hope Ford can make it happen as buying American is always a good practice if the products are on par.

You're right...but even beyond American car companies, its companies selling small cars in America. No one makes truly outstanding subcompact vehicles because AMERICANS don't historically want them.

The number one response I get from people who live in a pipe dream and think the Fiesta should cost less than a base Focus is that they would "rather get a bigger Focus with fewer options for the same price."

People in America tend to have this idea that bigger is always better. I'm not knocking bigger, but I am knocking the idea that a pricey small car isn't also a good idea.

Like you said, Europe "Gets it" with the small cars because they don't have a choice- they have historic roads that are small, and cities built a long time ago that are built with tiny roads and aren't sprawling urban environments like America.

Americans wanted big cars because we had the room, are fatter, and travel further. Makes sense.

Now with the government forced MPG ratings (thanks you know who), manufacturers are going to be forced to sell products that most Americans don't even want (ie subcompacts). So the Fiesta is coming, loaded just like the Europeans asked for it, and the Ka will be next (mark my words!).