Ford Capitalizes on US Hatchback Sales With Five-door Fiesta and Focus

As the only full-line vehicle manufacturer to offer both sedan and hatchback versions of its small B- and C-car lineup in America, Ford is surely getting piece of the hatchbacks sales in the United Sates as they continue to skyrocket. The American automaker plans to further take advantage from the the five-door Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks’ growing popularity.

In fact, about 50 percent of retail sales of the 2011 Fiesta have been for hatchback, while retail sales for the all-new 2012 Focus hatchback accounted for 41 percent of the model’s overall figures.

“The hatchback is hitting an unmet need for versatility as people continue to downsize their vehicles,” said Paul Russell, Focus brand manager. “No other competitor in the top-five of total market share offers a hatchback option in the small car segment.”

The total number of hatchbacks available in the U.S. market increased 63 percent between model years 2006 and 2010, going from 291,853 to 475,048, according to Ward’s Auto World data.

“American car buyers have become appreciative of the convenience and flexibility that hatchback bodystyles offer after years of owning SUVs and crossovers,” said George Pipas, Ford sales analyst. “Combined with the generation of younger drivers who have been exposed to popular high-performance hatchback offerings in Europe and Asia, we may be seeing the beginning of a shift in buyer acceptance of hatchbacks.”

Combined sales for the Fiesta and Focus in June were 26,920, up 66 percent from June 2010. Fiesta sales were 5,535 and Focus sales were 21,385, up 41 percent from the prior June – making it the best-selling Ford car of the month.