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Ford shelves diesel Focus for North America due to cost concerns
AMY WILSON
Automotive News
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s development efforts for a diesel Ford Focus for North America are on the back burner.
New COO Jim Padilla says the business case for diesel-powered small cars doesn't work. Diesel engines are costly because they have high-pressure fuel systems and need exhaust equipment required to meet pending U.S. emissions regulations.
"Do you think you can float that on the back of a C car (Focus-sized) in North America?" Padilla said. "The cost is just too high."
Ford has toyed with bringing a diesel Focus to the United States for several years. Last year President Nick Scheele said the automaker needs to introduce a diesel Focus for U.S. sale, even if the volume is small. Such a move would be akin to DaimlerChrysler AG's test of diesel acceptance with the introduction of a diesel-powered Jeep Liberty SUV this year.
But Padilla's comments, made in a May 4 interview, indicate that a diesel Focus for the United States may never happen - or may take several more years at least.
Volkswagen sells a diesel Jetta small car in the United States, but its base sticker is $19,245 - $2,925 more than the uplevel four-door Focus ZTS. The prices include destination charges.
Ford sells a diesel Focus in Europe, where diesel technology is more widespread. European consumers prefer small cars and are willing to pay more for them than U.S. consumers.
Selling a diesel Focus in the United States also is more complicated than just adopting the European version. U.S. emissions regulations get tougher after 2007 and would load even more cost on a diesel Focus, Padilla said.
Full Article Here
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AMY WILSON
Automotive News
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s development efforts for a diesel Ford Focus for North America are on the back burner.
New COO Jim Padilla says the business case for diesel-powered small cars doesn't work. Diesel engines are costly because they have high-pressure fuel systems and need exhaust equipment required to meet pending U.S. emissions regulations.
"Do you think you can float that on the back of a C car (Focus-sized) in North America?" Padilla said. "The cost is just too high."
Ford has toyed with bringing a diesel Focus to the United States for several years. Last year President Nick Scheele said the automaker needs to introduce a diesel Focus for U.S. sale, even if the volume is small. Such a move would be akin to DaimlerChrysler AG's test of diesel acceptance with the introduction of a diesel-powered Jeep Liberty SUV this year.
But Padilla's comments, made in a May 4 interview, indicate that a diesel Focus for the United States may never happen - or may take several more years at least.
Volkswagen sells a diesel Jetta small car in the United States, but its base sticker is $19,245 - $2,925 more than the uplevel four-door Focus ZTS. The prices include destination charges.
Ford sells a diesel Focus in Europe, where diesel technology is more widespread. European consumers prefer small cars and are willing to pay more for them than U.S. consumers.
Selling a diesel Focus in the United States also is more complicated than just adopting the European version. U.S. emissions regulations get tougher after 2007 and would load even more cost on a diesel Focus, Padilla said.
Full Article Here
