Not that anyone here would buy a Ford, and maybe that is an indication that Ford knows it's market, but it's too bad they won't be importing this one to the States. At 65mpg I think I'd be very tempted.

http://finance.yahoo.com/loans/article/105735/The-65-mpg-Ford-the-U.S.-Can't-Have

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

It's a bit expensive, even considering the fuel economy benefit. Can it pass American safety standards as currently configured? If not, count on a fuel economy-killing weight gain.

For the US, this would be a better idea in a Focus or Jetta-sized sedan, even if fuel economy was a little compromised. It would be more versatile.

The article doesn't mention anything about safety standards and I hear Europe has just as stringent standards as we do, so I doubt that's the issue. It's probably just what the story says; they don't think they would be able to sell enough to make it a profitable venture.

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

Like the article says, it's quite possible Ford again will be left in the dust by its competitors. I think they're making a big mistake by not having a good economy car for sale in the US.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I would buy a 65MPG ford...


I know of many other college students that are with me on this too.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I would buy one as well.

Several years ago the Benz dealer said they were going to sell the 4 door Smart car. I waited a few months, it never came, so I bought my 85 300TDT. Maybe in twenty years when the 300 wears out, I'll step into a dealership one more time

I left a post at the sight in the news article on the new Ford, I do believe that we could all say price gouging! I don't care how good it is, if they can not come up with the ride or looks then this thing is never going to sell to the discerning buyer. If those requirements can be met then they would sell the heck out of them in the USA too. Why is it that the big three just never seem to get it???

Since they are going to make the gas Fiesta in Mexico, couldn't they ask VW nicely, if they might buy some of their diesels from the Jetta factory?

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

The reason they give for not bringing it here is price; they don't want to gouge the market, or at least they know they can't. The problem seems to be the weak dollar as far as the price goes. But they don't feel that at any reasonable price the US market will buy into diesel cars. Are you saying the European buyers are not discerning? How do you what the ride is like? As far looks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

There was another thread on this. It didn't make sense in the cost difference between a gasser and the diesel. I think the gasser version would be about $12K-16K. So you would have free fuel for about five years. Thats not including The cost of diesel over the five years. I would think the gasser version would get at least 30-35 mpg highway.
Tom

VW will sell every turbodiesel Jetta they can make for the forseeable future. Unless some type of a quid pro quo could be structured, such as VW taking the Ford Taurus, slapping a new grille on it, and calling it the next Passat, I doubt that VW will sell any diesels to their competition.

I think the main reason was that the diesel engine is made in Britain and the weak US dollar makes it unattractive to import it to the US.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

So why cant they build the engine in the USA, or Mexico if they need cheap labor. Only theBits know ow to build diesel engines suddenly?

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I read somewhere that the cost to build the factory, even in Mexico, was prohibitive.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I think the fact that diesels are not as well received here is part of the picture. Remember the Merkur XR4Ti the imported from 85-89 and the Merkur Scorpio imported from 88-89? Maybe they are a little gun shy from that bite. Take into consideration that they have to import the car, provide parts and support, etc, etc and you realize it isn't just as simple as bringing it across the water. Once they do it, they are committed and have to bring parts and support for a certain number of years. Seeing as it is a diesel, it is harder to import because the smog nazis are allergic to diesel. If they import it and it doesn't sell well, they still have to support it even if they cut it off. With the high popularity of diesel here, it is a bigger gamble than the Merkurs which was gas.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow