Ford will build the Verve (or whatever they end up calling their subcompact) in Mexico. And we know this because…? The Detroit Free Press reports "two people with knowledge of Ford's production plans" told them so. Although Ford refuses to identify the location of their new subcompact's fabricator, it appears the concessions given by the UAW still don't make a U.S.-built economy car a profitable proposition. Global Insight's NA light-vehicle production manager doesn't see "Made in America" making a comeback anytime soon. "In general we see capacity in the U.S. dropping," Haig Stoddard advised. "And continuing to gradually rise in Mexico." That's at least until the automakers replace most of their older UAW work force with cheaper new hires. But even at the lower $14.20 per hour rate, American workers still make a lot more than their Mexican counterparts. Between that and the Mexican government's willingness to contribute incentives, well, it's a slam dunk. No matter where it's made, Ford needs the Verve ahora. ¡Ándale!
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It’s everything the Focus isn’t, like beautiful.
Ah Ford – Made in America (well Mexico is part of North America). I’m sure they’ll wrap the flag around themselves. But Mexico gains paid working class laborers who need employment to buy the basics their family needs while Billy Ford and his minions of Richie Richs make their millions. I’m sure the money that family makes will be spent in America – not like reinvesting into other plants outside of the US.
Frank agree—from what I saw of the Verve at the Detroit auto show—it will be a winner—get it out there fast.
I would prefer it to be built in the US—-but lets face it Ford needs to make money on this car and if the build quality and reliability of the Verve is as good as its Mexican built cousin (Fusion)—Ford will do OK by this one.
Jaje—-really doubt Ford will wrap themselves in the flag on this one—they have the Mustang and F150 for that duty.
Sounds better than Made in China, which was the other rumor I heard.
Too bad it’s not already in production, as we’re going small car shopping in the near future.
There was a quote from Ron Gettelfinger, head of the UAW, regarding where this car would be built when it was unveiled at Detroit. He said that it would be built in the U.S. only if the UAW worked “for free.”
Given that the Mexican-built Fusion/Milan/MKZ score well in reliability surveys, we can hope for similar results from this car.
As for the name – “Verve” is uncomfortably close to “Versa.” Perhaps Fiesta would be better.
Shouldn`t have problems this little german-japanese subcompact. As it has japanese built mazda2 platform anyway, there is not much left for mexicans to do, just push `on` button on a programmed japanese Fanuc robot to weld stamp or do whatever is left to fake it as a ford product.
From that angle in the photo it reminds me a bit of a Hyundai, at least the front of it does.
Fiesta, Fiesta Mexicana?
How is it “left to fake it as a ford product”? It is a Ford product no matter where it is built, designed or engineered. Some folks just can’t seem to get it in their heads that Mazda is Ford and Ford is Mazda.
Ford and Mazda make their product decisions together. Ford/Mazda would be stupid not to utilize the superior platform engineering skills available with the Mazda organization.
Christopher—-you are right on point. What is the problem with Ford and Mazda working together—its called leveraging your corporate assets. To not do so would be just plain stupid.
Ford leveraging Mazda platforms and knowledge is a good thing for them (and doesn’t hurt Mazda in the process). They just need to really get some good product with zero recalls out ASAP.
I like the looks of the Verve, but Ford’s last 20 years of recalls and quality leaves me not wanting to seriously consider it when it releases.
Okay, so this car is European designed as a subcompact for the North American market. Some questions…
1) Does it have anything to do w/the Mazda 3 redesign/platform/drivetrain, etc?
2) Will this veh in some form arrive in Europe? If so, what class (certainly not subcompact) and will it be a Focus replacement?
3) What are the Vegas odds FoMoCo will graft a hideous “Edge” grill onto this thing?
1) No, it’s on the Mazda2 platform
2) Sure, as a replacement for the current Fiesta. It is a subcompact. Not a Focus replacement at all, the Focus just got a refresh in Europe.
3) Maybe some non-functional vents too?
Hey Sammy — I always imagined you to be more of a Lamborghini type of guy — but hey! Subcompacts are cool, too.
Here’s what I know:
1 – No. The Verve concepts are based on the Demio (Mazda2).
2 – Yes, it will arrive in Europe before North America. The chassis will be the same for both NA and Europe, but have different design elements incorporating “local flavor”.
3 – Not very likely. FoE is heading up the design of the Verve for NA. From what I gather they’re keen on keeping the “kinetic” design elements as the dominate theme. But they will incorporate some of the more sedate “bold” styling cues. The NA Verve concept already reflects this.
“Shouldn`t have problems this little german-japanese subcompact. As it has japanese built mazda2 platform anyway, there is not much left for mexicans to do, just push `on` button on a programmed japanese Fanuc robot to weld stamp or do whatever is left to fake it as a ford product.”
Aw, I thought the same thing w/my VW. All my Mexican friends would have to do is push buttons and pull levers to produce a vehicle w/the same quality as ones built on the Continent.
Right? Wrong!!!
The Verve concept doesn’t impress me. Oh, it might be fine as a “kinetic” an “emotional” (the artiste-designers’ words) sculpture. The front end is largemouth bass; the rest is heat-shrunk plastic wrap. Ah, fashion!
But Ford needs to sell cars in and to the real world. There, drivers and passengers want to sit comfortably and to see out. They need space to stow their stuff. Parents must cope with child seats. Insurance costs less when the hood isn’t the first point of contact and the windshield doesn’t stretch over the front wheels. Trendy tires lose appeal when one learns the price of a new set.
Perhaps I’m being unfair. Maybe the Verve is intended only for rich college kids, and Ford has decided Henry I was wrong to go for volume.
Sammy Hagar —–my made in Mexico ’96 Golf was built better than my made on the continent ’99 Passat. Ford has also proved with the Fusion trio that best in class quality and reliability can be built south of the border.
Well thank you for the replies. I’m surprised this is a subcompact (B Klasse?) in the Euro market…from the few pictures I’ve seen, it looks rather large for that class. Of course, who knows what this will really look like when it comes to fruition.
50merc, don’t worry I think they’ll get the volume with gas prices heading ever higher. It will be interesting to see if they beat GM to the punch by bringing this aize and quality of vehicle to the market
Sammy Hagar:
Check out the not-for-North America Mazda2 (UK) for a rough approximation of the size & specifications of the upcoming Verve.
Verve actually was my favorite car at the whole car show last month. And I don’t mete out compliments to Detroit lightly.
On the other hand I’m fairly confident Ford will find a way to uglify it before it goes retail.
I don’t question the Mexicans’ ability to manufacture quality vehicles.
I question Ford’s ability to continue to scream “Buy American!” when more than 50% of their vehicles (on sale in America) are built in either Mexico or Canada.
Nothing against our neighbors (especially since they seem to build better quality vehicles than we do…), but Ford’s hypocrisy is going to run its course….straight into the ground.
Even with this built in Mexico, Ford still produces more vehicles in the U.S. than Toyota or Honda. Further, the profits from this car go to the U.S. When Ford makes money on these cars, they can afford to keep and hire new engineers, managers and other individuals with high-skill, high-paying jobs in the states (in Michigan, to be more precise). And although Ford has design centers around the world (much as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, GM, etc), most of their high-skill, high-pay individuals live here.
No other B-car is built in the U.S. No one is stupid enough to do that. There are several C-cars built here, though, so it’s no surprise that Ford can produce its Focus here. If the Fusion could command a slightly higher price, Ford could build the Fusion here as well. But first, Ford needs to get profitable. And that will benefit our economy much more than continuing losses but building the Verve here.
There was never a chance in hell of the Verve being built in the US. Also, in a carryover from the F-name era the Verve will enter the NA market as the Flerve.