Dodge and Ford Building Scion Fighters

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 automobiles are preferred, edgy - some people would say ugly - and have given Toyota an important toehold with young buyers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are making ready to respond to Scion, but in other ways. GM is planning to import more vehicles from its Daewoo subsidiary while Ford and Chrysler are anticipated to build all new Scion fighting autos in Mexico, excellent news for motorists looking for affordable and quality autos. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pike.

For the record, Scion isn’t the only vehicle made for the Generation Y crowd. Honda’s Element and shortly to be released Fit subcompact are Scion competitors while the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliper, and Saturn ION are also directed toward fresh drivers. With that having been said, Dodge [Chrysler] and Ford must reply and it seems that both automakers will be fielding Scion fighters within the next two years.

The Dodge Hornet

Lo and behold, Dodge is nearing the finalization of its plans to build the Dodge Wasp . According to industry sources including Edmunds, the Wasp will be based on the VW Polo, a subcompact vehicle built by Volkswagen and favored in the EU market. This deal is amazing as Volkswagen and Mercedes [a DaimlerChrysler division, as is Dodge] compete fiercely, particularly in Europe. VW has a plant in Mexico that likely will produce the Wasp as the company has excess capacity and the price tag advantage that no Yankee manufacturing plant can offer. For its part, VW gets to sell rebadged versions of the Dodge Caravan minivan.

If based on the Polo, the Hornet is anticipated to use the Polo’s 1.6L engine and be paired with a VW transmission. Beyond that, look for the vehicle to be closer in appearance to the Scion xA design, sport a five door hatchback design, and seat five passengers. Now , the xA sells for just over $13,000, so expect the Dodge to challenge 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 autos. In 2004 a concept Ford Bronco, taking styling cues from the 1966 Bronco wagon, made its appearance at car shows. Now, Ford appears ready to go ahead with the Bronco which will also 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 existing Fiesta platform to hold costs down. Indeed, Ford is hoping that a budget Bronco will sell for less than $10,000 as it battles inexpensive imports predicted from China as well as other Generation “Y” vehicles on the market.

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

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