August 28, 2009

The Brand New Ford Bronco

Toyota's Scion brand has been a runaway hit for the Japanese automaker ever since being launched in 2003. Designed to appeal to Generation "Y" buyers, the vehicles are preferred, edgy - some people might say hideous - and have given Toyota a crucial toehold with young buyers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are making ready to make a response to Scion, but in other ways. GM is intending to import more vehicles from its Daewoo subsidiary while Ford and Chrysler are predicted to build all new Scion fighting cars in Mexico, excellent news for motorists looking for affordable and quality automobiles. Let's have a look at what's coming down the pike.

For the record, Scion isn't the sole auto made for the Generation Y crowd. Honda's Component and shortly to be released Fit subcompact are Scion rivals while the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliper, and Saturn ION are also targeted toward young drivers. With that said, Dodge [Chrysler] and Ford must respond and it appears that both automakers will be fielding Scion fighters in the next 2 years.

The Dodge Hornet

Lo and behold, Dodge is nearing the finalization of its plans to build the Dodge Wasp . According to industry sources including Edmunds, the Hornet will be based on the VW Polo, a subcompact vehicle built by Volkswagen and favored in the European market. This deal is astounding as Volkswagen and Mercedes [a DaimlerChrysler division, as is Dodge] compete fiercely, particularly in Europe. VW has a plant in Mexico that likely will produce the Wasp as the company has excess capacity and the cost advantage that no Yankee manufacturing plant can offer. For its part, VW gets to sell rebadged versions of the Dodge Caravan minivan.

If based on the Polo, the Hornet is expected to use the Polo's 1.6L engine and be twinned with a VW transmission. Beyond that, look for the vehicle to be closer in appearance to the Scion xA design, sport a 5 door hatchback design, and seat 5 passengers. Currently, the xA sells for just over $13,000, so expect the Dodge to challenge at or below the Scion price.

The Ford Bronco

Don't expect Ford to chill and watch from the sidelines as the market trends toward more Scion-like autos. In 2004 a concept Ford Bronco, taking styling cues from the 1966 Bronco wagon, made its appearance at vehicle shows. Now, Ford would appear good to go ahead with the Bronco which will also be built in Mexico.

Featuring a boxy design, the Bronco will be similar in design to the xB and to the Hornet and will likely be built on the existing Fiesta platform to hold costs down. Indeed, Ford hopes that a budget Bronco will sell for less than $10,000 as it battles cheap imports expected from China as well as other Generation "Y" vehicles on the market.

Yes, the vehicle wars never end and more battles are sure to ensue. Both Nissan with its Versa and a tiny Toyota by the name of Yaris will shortly be released and competing on the market before the Wasp and Bronco arrive in 2008 as 2009 models.

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Filed under General by Doohan Mc

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