Ford sells 65 mpg car…in Europe only?! on clarkhoward.com

If you have an emergency and call 911, it feels like forever until the ambulance arrives, right? That's the mindset of the American people today as we instantly want automakers to put more fuel-efficient cars on the road.

Business Week recently reported on the Ford ECOnetic, a vehicle that gets 65 mpg, runs on diesel and is available in Europe only. Huh?! One of our automakers making a great vehicle like this and not selling it in the United States? It turns out Ford can't figure out how to manufacture the ECOnetic over here without losing money on each car!

As a nation, we went from wanting the biggest Terminator-style gas-guzzling SUVs to wanting total gas sippers almost overnight. But there's been major lag time on the manufacturing side.

Yet all hope is not lost. Clark promises we'll have a lot of choices over the next 24 months. By 2010, we'll have the GM Volt and other fuel-efficient cars. In the next few months, Honda will have an affordable hybrid available with a price tag in the upper teens.

It just takes a while to make a long-term change. We will get there as long as we don't lose focus when gas becomes cheaper.

What others are saying

Ford
Chrysler -- DEAD
GM-- Dying a slow death
Ford-- Not far behind ( Because it cannot think straight).
Left overs:Toyota, Honda, Kia & Hyadai.
EU cars: time will tell.
TATA motors: Want to commit suicide? Then buy this car!
By Jay @ 05/07/09 07:49:57 PMreport abuse
foreign cars
i'm shocked that clark promotes foreign cars. the cars that are made in the us have their profits solely, helping our economy. the foreign cars that are made in the us have their profits sent back to their countries. maybe if clark would have promoted american made cars, we would be in a better situation with our economy.
By connie oleary @ 01/27/09 02:40:17 PMreport abuse
ford econetic
they can not build it in the USA, or import it...they deserve to go under then if that's the best they can do
By pete @ 12/14/08 10:19:13 PMreport abuse
Ford ECOnetic
How come Ford can't figure out how to manufacture or import a diesel car that they can sell in the US when Volkswagen has been doing it for years and Honda has announced a diesel Accord for sale next year?
By Niel @ 11/11/08 04:09:10 PMreport abuse
Better option
If you look up Wildfire Motors, you will find a 3whl car that gets 70-75mpg and is only $8000.00 max. Happy driving!!
By autumn @ 11/10/08 06:34:00 AMreport abuse
Thank your government for the lack of these cars!
Thank your government - the EPA has incredibly harsh rules governing diesel engines in this country that have all but killed them off.

Remember the Honda Civic hatchback that got 50+mpg or the Geo Metros that got over 50mpg? Well, they couldn't be sold today, just like my 05 VW Golf diesel that gets 45mpg solid couldn't be sold today.

The EPA has been strangled by the greenies, who are more concerned about trifling amounts of pollution than saving you money.

Ironically, Europe and the UK go more by CO2 output than anything else, which favours diesels. Also, their diesel is cheaper than petrol, while the opposite is true here.

Trying to explain to a myrmidon how I still save money paying $3.76 a gallon versus their 22mpg sedan at $3.40 a gallon, I can see why diesels will fail (again) in this country.
By Tom Servo @ 09/27/08 10:15:44 AMreport abuse
The articles gist
From my reading, the gist of the article wasn't that Ford couldn't figure out how to make money building it here, they couldn't figure out how to make money IMPORTING it here. If they built some here or Mexico, that'd be a different story but they don't want to make that investment. The longer it takes to build or import established alternatives, the longer it'll take for the used market of these vehicles to develop. I have a hard time envisioning buying a new vehicle and absorbing that cost but I don't want to wait until 2012 or 2015 to get a good used price on a economy diesel or fancy electric car.
By tim74 @ 09/27/08 04:35:12 AMreport abuse
European gas sippers
There are a few hurdles that ford and other car makers must jump to get their euro cars over hear.

First, in europe, cars must be built to minimize injury to any pedestrian they may hit. Lots of foam and fiberglass in the front. It will take a total re-design of the front end to get those tiny cars up to american standards .....which means adding steel, weight, and cost. Gas mileage goes down with weight.

Also, at least in California, where I live, diesels are tested in emissions per gallon, not per mile. You can go buy a lifted 4x4 that gets 8mpg, and it will have and approved sticker on it. But don't try to sell a Diesel sub compact here. Those tiny engines are less adept at scrubbing hydrocarbons. Just ignore the little detail that the net emissions is much less over ANY given distance.

Call your senator.
By Chris @ 09/25/08 02:23:59 AMreport abuse
MLM Business
Have you ever heard of "shop to earn .net". I have my doubts, but just wanted to seee if you or your staff has heard anything on this new company.
By Kirby @ 09/24/08 10:07:04 PMreport abuse
ECOnetic
Ford can't figure out how to manufacute it here without losing money on each car? Time for them to be replaced. I'm so tired of this crap from the car companies and the government.
By Pat @ 09/24/08 07:15:20 PMreport abuse
Ford Focus
I recently rented a Ford Focus and drove almost 2000 miles in the 8 days I had it and the average mileage was over 35 miles per gallon and this was with the air on constantly and at speeds of 70 to 80 mph. The car handled great and was confortable and responded very well.
By Joe Cantello @ 09/24/08 05:41:01 PMreport abuse
honda civic hybrid is paid off
My 2003 civic hybrid only cost me 18,500 because I bought it through Costco. The 30 dollar membership fee was well worth the savings. Some of the dealerships wouldn't even talk to me about less than 22K on buying it.

After 5 years and gas going up over 3$ a gallon, I'm very glad I got it. My friends keep asking if I mind driving to lunch because they are worried about trouble refilling with so many gas stations rationing or not having gas after Ike. One lady went to 6 stations before finding one with gas.

I'm still getting 45 mpg in typical Atlanta traffic. The odometer is around 115,000 miles so far.

Best of all the people who laughed in 2003 are changing their tune now.
By patternbuilder @ 09/24/08 04:38:48 PMreport abuse
volt
i heard projected price on 2010 volt will be around $40,000...and get this, they only plan to make 10,000 in the first year...no wonder thier stock is in the toilet
By Dave @ 09/24/08 04:27:51 PMreport abuse
GM
I grew up with GM vehicles as my dad worked at a GM plant. It was against my grain to buy my first foreign car. Until they make a more fuel efficient vehicle I will continue driving my Honda! Of course it will be long paid off before they do that and I won't want to buy a new car.
By anonymous @ 09/24/08 03:07:29 PMreport abuse
GM car got 54mpg in China years ago
US Automakers focus on high mileage, I am still not sure? About 4-6 years ago, General Motors produced the #1 selling vehicle in China. It was a small van that got 54 mpg. The American GM executive, who for ten years ran the chinese division, had independence from GM-America in design, market/vehicle requirements and fuel economy. The vehicle was small, affordable ($5,000 USD) and fuel efficient. The chinese public liked it so much it became the #1 seller in China.
After ten years in china, the US GM executive wanted to come home, but US GM senior management forced his retirement? Now, they should have made him CEO? Will US auto makers ever learn? Stupidity should drive them out of business. I heard one executive say recently, the "baby boom generation" just will not buy American Cars. "hello executive"... Maybe, you were not making cars to the standards they wanted... value, reliability, safety MPG,... etc
New ownership may be their only hope, if Ford thinks they would lose money on every ECOnetic made in the US. Ford needs to re-examine their cost/benefit assumptions. Do they want to stay in business, do they want to sell cars....? Maybe, it won't work because they are still paying for their bad decisions and are working on outdated assumptions.
There are a lot of Americans who never wanted a "Terminator Style" Autos. (i.e., all the consumers who never purchased a Hummer, Expedition, Suburban, Tahoe, giant trucks, etc.)

Ford's executives should be doing everything they can to take advantage of their "market edge". Import those ECOentrics to US as fast as they can! Japan made money this way.
By Houston @ 09/24/08 12:12:36 PMreport abuse
Old technology
I get 42-45 with the windows up and the ac on. I drive a VW diesel mfg in 1995. You mean we cannot do better now?
By John @ 09/24/08 11:51:06 AMreport abuse
Importing EU-spec cars
Ford isn't alone. Honda builds a wonderful turbo-diesel Accord for EU markets that gets over 40mpg. Nobody that has a say over importing it - UAW, EPA, Congress - cares. The station wagon version, tricked out, sells in the UK for about 17k sterling, or $35k, including heavy taxes.
By Brahms @ 09/24/08 11:48:21 AMreport abuse
GM Volt = DOA
GM has been talking about the Volt for years. The only thing that changes is the expected selling price. If they ever get it to market (a big if given GM's financial condition), the Volt will cost $45K-$50K, way up from the $30K they estimated a year ago.

As usual, GM is a day late and a dollar short. The new cars from Honda and Toyota will be the final nail in their coffin.
By Fred @ 09/24/08 11:29:34 AMreport abuse
Gas
Gas won't be getting any cheaper, so focus will not be a problem this time around.
By Jim @ 09/24/08 10:16:28 AMreport abuse

Ford

Chrysler -- DEAD
GM-- Dying a slow death
Ford-- Not far behind ( Because it cannot think straight).
Left overs:Toyota, Honda, Kia & Hyadai.
EU cars: time will tell.
TATA motors: Want to commit suicide? Then buy this car!

By Jay @ 05/07/09 07:49:57 PMreport abuse

foreign cars

i'm shocked that clark promotes foreign cars. the cars that are made in the us have their profits solely, helping our economy. the foreign cars that are made in the us have their profits sent back to their countries. maybe if clark would have promoted american made cars, we would be in a better situation with our economy.

By connie oleary @ 01/27/09 02:40:17 PMreport abuse

ford econetic

they can not build it in the USA, or import it...they deserve to go under then if that's the best they can do

By pete @ 12/14/08 10:19:13 PMreport abuse

Ford ECOnetic

How come Ford can't figure out how to manufacture or import a diesel car that they can sell in the US when Volkswagen has been doing it for years and Honda has announced a diesel Accord for sale next year?

By Niel @ 11/11/08 04:09:10 PMreport abuse

Better option

If you look up Wildfire Motors, you will find a 3whl car that gets 70-75mpg and is only $8000.00 max. Happy driving!!

By autumn @ 11/10/08 06:34:00 AMreport abuse

Thank your government for the lack of these cars!

Thank your government - the EPA has incredibly harsh rules governing diesel engines in this country that have all but killed them off.

Remember the Honda Civic hatchback that got 50+mpg or the Geo Metros that got over 50mpg? Well, they couldn't be sold today, just like my 05 VW Golf diesel that gets 45mpg solid couldn't be sold today.

The EPA has been strangled by the greenies, who are more concerned about trifling amounts of pollution than saving you money.

Ironically, Europe and the UK go more by CO2 output than anything else, which favours diesels. Also, their diesel is cheaper than petrol, while the opposite is true here.

Trying to explain to a myrmidon how I still save money paying $3.76 a gallon versus their 22mpg sedan at $3.40 a gallon, I can see why diesels will fail (again) in this country.

By Tom Servo @ 09/27/08 10:15:44 AMreport abuse

The articles gist

From my reading, the gist of the article wasn't that Ford couldn't figure out how to make money building it here, they couldn't figure out how to make money IMPORTING it here. If they built some here or Mexico, that'd be a different story but they don't want to make that investment. The longer it takes to build or import established alternatives, the longer it'll take for the used market of these vehicles to develop. I have a hard time envisioning buying a new vehicle and absorbing that cost but I don't want to wait until 2012 or 2015 to get a good used price on a economy diesel or fancy electric car.

By tim74 @ 09/27/08 04:35:12 AMreport abuse

European gas sippers

There are a few hurdles that ford and other car makers must jump to get their euro cars over hear.

First, in europe, cars must be built to minimize injury to any pedestrian they may hit. Lots of foam and fiberglass in the front. It will take a total re-design of the front end to get those tiny cars up to american standards .....which means adding steel, weight, and cost. Gas mileage goes down with weight.

Also, at least in California, where I live, diesels are tested in emissions per gallon, not per mile. You can go buy a lifted 4x4 that gets 8mpg, and it will have and approved sticker on it. But don't try to sell a Diesel sub compact here. Those tiny engines are less adept at scrubbing hydrocarbons. Just ignore the little detail that the net emissions is much less over ANY given distance.

Call your senator.

By Chris @ 09/25/08 02:23:59 AMreport abuse

MLM Business

Have you ever heard of "shop to earn .net". I have my doubts, but just wanted to seee if you or your staff has heard anything on this new company.

By Kirby @ 09/24/08 10:07:04 PMreport abuse

ECOnetic

Ford can't figure out how to manufacute it here without losing money on each car? Time for them to be replaced. I'm so tired of this crap from the car companies and the government.

By Pat @ 09/24/08 07:15:20 PMreport abuse

Ford Focus

I recently rented a Ford Focus and drove almost 2000 miles in the 8 days I had it and the average mileage was over 35 miles per gallon and this was with the air on constantly and at speeds of 70 to 80 mph. The car handled great and was confortable and responded very well.

By Joe Cantello @ 09/24/08 05:41:01 PMreport abuse

honda civic hybrid is paid off

My 2003 civic hybrid only cost me 18,500 because I bought it through Costco. The 30 dollar membership fee was well worth the savings. Some of the dealerships wouldn't even talk to me about less than 22K on buying it.

After 5 years and gas going up over 3$ a gallon, I'm very glad I got it. My friends keep asking if I mind driving to lunch because they are worried about trouble refilling with so many gas stations rationing or not having gas after Ike. One lady went to 6 stations before finding one with gas.

I'm still getting 45 mpg in typical Atlanta traffic. The odometer is around 115,000 miles so far.

Best of all the people who laughed in 2003 are changing their tune now.

By patternbuilder @ 09/24/08 04:38:48 PMreport abuse

volt

i heard projected price on 2010 volt will be around $40,000...and get this, they only plan to make 10,000 in the first year...no wonder thier stock is in the toilet

By Dave @ 09/24/08 04:27:51 PMreport abuse

I grew up with GM vehicles as my dad worked at a GM plant. It was against my grain to buy my first foreign car. Until they make a more fuel efficient vehicle I will continue driving my Honda! Of course it will be long paid off before they do that and I won't want to buy a new car.

By anonymous @ 09/24/08 03:07:29 PMreport abuse

GM car got 54mpg in China years ago

US Automakers focus on high mileage, I am still not sure? About 4-6 years ago, General Motors produced the #1 selling vehicle in China. It was a small van that got 54 mpg. The American GM executive, who for ten years ran the chinese division, had independence from GM-America in design, market/vehicle requirements and fuel economy. The vehicle was small, affordable ($5,000 USD) and fuel efficient. The chinese public liked it so much it became the #1 seller in China.
After ten years in china, the US GM executive wanted to come home, but US GM senior management forced his retirement? Now, they should have made him CEO? Will US auto makers ever learn? Stupidity should drive them out of business. I heard one executive say recently, the "baby boom generation" just will not buy American Cars. "hello executive"... Maybe, you were not making cars to the standards they wanted... value, reliability, safety MPG,... etc
New ownership may be their only hope, if Ford thinks they would lose money on every ECOnetic made in the US. Ford needs to re-examine their cost/benefit assumptions. Do they want to stay in business, do they want to sell cars....? Maybe, it won't work because they are still paying for their bad decisions and are working on outdated assumptions.
There are a lot of Americans who never wanted a "Terminator Style" Autos. (i.e., all the consumers who never purchased a Hummer, Expedition, Suburban, Tahoe, giant trucks, etc.)

Ford's executives should be doing everything they can to take advantage of their "market edge". Import those ECOentrics to US as fast as they can! Japan made money this way.

By Houston @ 09/24/08 12:12:36 PMreport abuse

Old technology

I get 42-45 with the windows up and the ac on. I drive a VW diesel mfg in 1995. You mean we cannot do better now?

By John @ 09/24/08 11:51:06 AMreport abuse

Importing EU-spec cars

Ford isn't alone. Honda builds a wonderful turbo-diesel Accord for EU markets that gets over 40mpg. Nobody that has a say over importing it - UAW, EPA, Congress - cares. The station wagon version, tricked out, sells in the UK for about 17k sterling, or $35k, including heavy taxes.

By Brahms @ 09/24/08 11:48:21 AMreport abuse

GM Volt = DOA

GM has been talking about the Volt for years. The only thing that changes is the expected selling price. If they ever get it to market (a big if given GM's financial condition), the Volt will cost $45K-$50K, way up from the $30K they estimated a year ago.

As usual, GM is a day late and a dollar short. The new cars from Honda and Toyota will be the final nail in their coffin.

By Fred @ 09/24/08 11:29:34 AMreport abuse

Gas

Gas won't be getting any cheaper, so focus will not be a problem this time around.

By Jim @ 09/24/08 10:16:28 AMreport abuse

Listen Live:

Clark On Demand:

Clark's Advice:

Consumer Action Center:

Quick Links:

Clark Media:

Call The Show:

Sep 23, 2008 -- Ford sells 65 mpg car…in Europe only?!

What others are saying