New 2011 Ford Fiesta hatchback sales show an increase in hatch popularity on the U.S. market, American manufacturer Ford announced today. Sales figures from Ford show that more than 60 percent of early Fiesta sales have been five-door hatchback models.
The carmaker is also preparing to launch its all-new Focus in both hatch and sedan bodystyles. The addition of Focus will make Ford the only full-line vehicle manufacturer to offer both sedan and hatchback versions of its B- and C-car lineup in America.
"American car buyers have grown accustomed to the convenience of hatch bodystyles after years of owning SUVs and crossovers," said George Pipas, Ford sales analyst. "Combined with a generation of younger drivers who have been exposed via the Internet to popular high-performance hatchback offerings in Europe and Asia, we may be seeing the beginning of a shift in buyer acceptance of hatchbacks."
According to Ford, American buyers may be showing shift to the utility of hatch configurations seen in other countries, as 99 percent of the total European market is dominated by hatchback vehicle configurations.
"Growing up in well-equipped SUVs and crossovers, many of the younger buyers choosing Fiesta are accustomed to amenities," added Pipas. "This car is full of surprising features particularly for its class, and buyers are responding, finding that a Fiesta with all the technology and convenience features they're used to is fun to drive and well within their budget."
The all-new Focus is to be shown in Paris later this week, and the autoevolution team will be attending the event, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented there.
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