High Performance Motors

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 popular, edgy – some people would say ugly – and have given Toyota a crucial toehold with young buyers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are getting ready to make a response to Scion, but in other ways. GM is intending to import more cars from its Daewoo subsidiary while Ford and Chrysler are expected to build all new Scion fighting cars in Mexico, excellent news for motorists looking for affordable and quality vehicles. Let’s take 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 Part and soon to be released Fit subcompact are Scion competitors while the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliper, and Saturn ION are also aimed toward fresh drivers. With that having been said, Dodge [Chrysler] and Ford must reply and it appears that both automakers will be fielding Scion fighters in the next two years.

The Dodge Hornet

Lo and behold, Dodge is nearing the finalization of its plans to build the Dodge Hornet. According to industry sources including Edmunds, the Wasp will be based on the VW Polo, a subcompact automobile built by Volkswagen and popular in the European market. This deal is astounding as Volkswagen and Mercedes [a DaimlerChrysler division, as is Dodge] compete fiercely, especially 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 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 predicted to use the Polo’s 1.6L engine and be coupled with a VW transmission. Beyond that, look for the automobile to be closer in appearance to the Scion xA design, sport a five door hatchback design, and seat 5 passengers. Now , the xA sells for just over $13,000, so expect the Dodge to compete at or below the Scion price.

The Ford Bronco

Don’t expect Ford to sit back and watch from the sidelines as the market trends toward more Scion-like automobiles. In 2004 a concept Ford Bronco, taking styling cues from the 1966 Bronco truck, made its appearance at auto shows. Now, Ford appears ready to go ahead with the Bronco which will 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 cheap imports predicted from China as well as other Generation “Y” vehicles on the market.

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

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