Honda Making The Fit To Compete with Scion
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 favored, edgy – some people might say ugly – 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 different ways. GM is planning to import more cars from its Daewoo subsidiary while Ford and Chrysler are expected to build all new Scion fighting autos in Mexico, good news for motorists looking for reasonable and quality automobiles. Let’s take a look at what’s coming down the pike.
For the record, Scion isn’t the only vehicle made for the Generation Y crowd. Honda’s Element and soon to be released Fit subcompact are Scion competitors while the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliper, and Saturn ION are also directed toward youthful drivers. With that having been said, Dodge [Chrysler] and Ford must reply and it appears that both automakers will be fielding Scion fighters within 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 Wasp will be based on the VW Polo, a subcompact automobile built by Volkswagen and favored in the European market. This deal is amazing 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 Hornet as the company has excess capacity and the cost advantage that no Yankee producing plant can offer. For its part, VW gets to sell rebadged versions of the Dodge Caravan minivan.
If based on the Polo, the Wasp is expected to use the Polo’s 1.6L engine and be paired with a VW transmission. Beyond that, look for the automobile to be closer in appearance to the Scion xA design, sport a five door hot hatch design, and seat five 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 relax and watch from the sidelines as the market trends toward more Scion-like vehicles. In 2004 a concept Ford Bronco, taking styling cues from the 1966 Bronco truck, made its appearance at car shows. Now, Ford appears ready 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 Wasp and will probably be built on the current Fiesta platform to hold costs down. Indeed, Ford is hoping that a budget Bronco will sell for under $10,000 as it battles inexpensive imports predicted from China as well as other Generation “Y” autos on the market.
Yes, the automobile wars never end and more battles are sure to ensue. Both Nissan with its Versa and a little Toyota by the name of Yaris will soon be released and competing on the market before the Hornet and Bronco arrive in 2008 as 2009 models.
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