Volkswagen announces 71 mpg Polo

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
You do realize that Henry Ford and his Grandson Henry Ford II are two different people right?


Ford II got to run Ford. Thinking small cars were dumb in the 1970s was a bit lacking in foresight, which was the point of one of the previous posters. I think it has more impact that this came up sooner than Ford I's reign.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: eljefino


Ford II got to run Ford. Thinking small cars were dumb in the 1970s was a bit lacking in foresight, which was the point of one of the previous posters. I think it has more impact that this came up sooner than Ford I's reign.



Wow, not the first time you completely miss the point in an effort to prove some unrelated point. No one made any comment about Henry Ford II and his opinion of small cars at all. The quote was credited to Henry Ford, a man who basically built his company on the belief that small/cheap cars were the way to go. If you understood automotive history at all, you'd understand that the model T was the epitomy of small and cheap so the common man could afford it. You'd understand that the first company of Fords is the company that eventually became Cadillac, he left that company because the investores insisted on building larger expensive cars in opposition to Henrys belief. When Henry Ford left, the investors brought in Henry LeLand and his engine design and the Cadillac company was born. Henry Ford went on to form FoMoCo and build the model T, the quintescential small cheap car.

Crediting that quote to Henry Ford is an affront to any intelligent reader who understands the history of the automobile and the philosophy of Henry Ford.

But hey, accuracy be [censored]....Lets credit an alledged quote from the Duece in 1976 to a man that died in 1947.


And please......What does this mean?

"I think it has more impact that this came up sooner than Ford I's reign."

Are you even trying to make sense?

 

[LS2JSTS]

To the OP,

Sorry for going so far afield trying to clarify a miscredited quote.

I love these type cars. Even though Ive always kept and enjoy performance cars, you will always find a daily driver in my fleet that gets great mileage.

Many of us, have been longing for the great little cars that Ford and others have built for many years for other markets. Hopefully with the success of the coming Fiesta, Ford will finally be convinced that Americans are willing to spend a premium for a very well built small car.

 

[Bill in Utah]

What does FORD have to do with VW announces 71mpg Polo as indicated in the subject? Okay I can see that Ford makes some diesels but then we go right to Ford quotes and way off the original subject.

Here we go.

How long before its locked up?

Don't answer. I know its short...

Bill

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
"Small cars mean small profits"

Henry Ford

Do you have a reference for this quote?

Yes, Henry Ford II 1970's

 

[L_Sludger]

I thought that we don't see amazing diesel small cars in the US because of two things:
1) US EPA tailpipe regs
2) US crash safety standards
Saving us from ourselves.

 

[Kestas]

I think it's because of these two reasons:
1. NOX standards are tougher in the US, which kills a good part of the benefit to owning a diesel.
2. People are more resistant to owning a diesel in the US. They think diesels are noisy, smelly, and they cost more up front.

 

[Pesca]

When I see in my car forum that quite some people want to see a V6 version of my car, I know for sure that, unfortunately, this type of cars/engines won't be available soon in this part of the world.

It seems that the only thing which matters to them is the 0-60 measurement.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I think it's because of these two reasons:
1. NOX standards are tougher in the US, which kills a good part of the benefit to owning a diesel.
2. People are more resistant to owning a diesel in the US. They think diesels are noisy, smelly, and they cost more up front.

Ding!

I agree. Esp the cost in purchasing the vehicle and also the extra cost of the fuel. And most pumps are

Bill

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
"Small cars mean small profits"

Henry Ford

Do you have a reference for this quote?

Yes, Henry Ford II 1970's


Next time, PLEASE if you are quoting someone who there could be a JR, II, etc put that on the end.

Esp someone who really made the auto business.

Thanks, Bill

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Is 71 MPG really obtainable ?????


Not in the USA ..at least on diesel.

It may make it here, but not in 71mpg capability and "massaged" to cost so much more than it does in Europe to make it a poor choice over a gas model.

We're being protected from diesels that we cannot own anyway. We're told that we don't want them ..just like we're told that we demanded velvety smooth shifts.

 

[saaber1]

I agree it will probably be bloated and heavy if it comes to the U.S. But it sure would be nice to have some variety.

It wasn't very long ago that most every car company assumed small cars won't sell in the U.S. Now we have the versa, fit, yaris, mini, etc. all selling like crazy and there are more to come (fiat 500 f.e.).

If no-one challenges the assumptions of the big automakers then we end up having every car be almost the same. Then when there is a major change, such as high gas prices or a bad economy, those cars that made sense before no longer make sense and many car companies are ill-equipped to offer different products due to homogenization.

I say bring it on, in an as-efficiennt-as-possible trim level and lets see if it sells!

 

[Mr Nice]

The problem with the Echo it was butt ugly no matter how good its gas mileage.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Is 71 MPG really obtainable ?????


Not in the USA ..at least on diesel.

It may make it here, but not in 71mpg capability and "massaged" to cost so much more than it does in Europe to make it a poor choice over a gas model.

We're being protected from diesels that we cannot own anyway. We're told that we don't want them ..just like we're told that we demanded velvety smooth shifts.



BINGO!!!!!!!!

Just like the consumer was goaded into having an hulking SUV "because they are tough, and rough, and safe?!?!?
And of course you want to be JUST LIKE YOUR NEIGHBOR...right..

Sorry to say but the US has some of the absolutely must gulliable, dimmest consumers in the entire world!!!!!

The problem with VW in the USA IS NOT with the product or VAG in Germany...it is with the horrific US distributor VWoA. TIme and time again over the decades they have failed to build a brand that has a huge range of excellent products into anything more than an silly little "also ran" that only appeals to trendies ....
From not bringing the best VW has to offer to the USA.....to not making sure that the dealers are compentent to sell and service the products VWoA has constantly put VW at the back of the pack in the USA....

The Polo and its variants with a GTI and diesel should have ben here a decade ago or more....but VWoA was more interested in selling very few vehicles at a huge price..Phaeton and Touareg....are the best example of white elephants that should have NEVER come here because VWoA can't adequately service or sell these products in the USA....

Note to VWoA you have tyo learn how to crawl before you can walk...and don't even think about running!!!!!

VWoA has got to be the absolute worst VW distributor in the developed world. Period! If VAG was serious about the US market they would dissolve VWoA and start from scratch.


I'd love to buy a diesel Polo of ANY kind in the USA but VWoA is too greedy, incompenent, and smug to offer a REAL peoples car in the US anymore!!!!

 

[expat]

In my opinion Ford builds and sells proberbly the best, small, single rail, Diesel available...........But not in the U.S. of A

 

[Vizzy]

I remember back in 06 or 07 Dearborn said they would sell the MKI Focus we got with the TDCi...of course it never happened..they're too enchanted with the "hybrid mania" that toyota initiated...time for Ford to stop being a "follower" if it wants to become a leader in the USA.

 

[Tornado Red]

VWoA aka Stefan Jacoby does not get to decide what cars are sold here -- they have input, but the decisions are made in Wolfsburg. Having said that, some bad decisions have been made.

For instance, have you ever heard of the Touareg? Probably, even if you've never actually seen one. But how about the Tiguan? No, you do not even know that VW makes an excellent small SUV, better by nearly any measure than the CRV or the RAV4. Or it would be better if it had the perfect engine, which would be a TDI. And if we could get the off-road version, but that one is not available in North America. So in the US and Canada the Tiguan is available only with the 2.0T engine, a fine engine but just not right for this vehicle and certainly not if you ever plan to go off-road.

The Polo TDI -- a perfect car for tens of millions of American drivers. Not sold in the US.

The next-generation Jetta will be smaller and cheaper, so there won't be much room for a Polo-sized car unless they plan to just stick the Jetta badge on a Polo sedan. What will they call the Polo hatch? ANS: won't be sold in America. Will they keep giving us the Golf and GTI? I hope so, but won't hold my breath. Any R-series versions? Any Scirocco? probably not.

The NMS -- the New Midsized Sedan, yet to receive a proper name -- will be build in Chattanooga beginning in 2011. Maybe it will be good, or maybe it will suck. VW plans to sell 800k cars in the US by 2020, they have a long way to go.

And don't even get me started on the dealership network -- one of the worst if not the worst of all.