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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 would say ugly - and have given Toyota an important toehold with young buyers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are preparing to respond to Scion, but in different ways. GM is planning to import more vehicles from its Daewoo subsidiary while Ford and Chrysler are expected to build all new Scion fighting vehicles in Mexico, good 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 only vehicle made for the Generation Y crowd. Honda’s Element and soon to be released Fit subcompact are Scion competitors while the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliper, and Saturn ION are also aimed toward youthful drivers. With that being said, Dodge [Chrysler] and Ford must respond and it appears 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 Hornet. According to industry sources including Edmunds, the Hornet will be based on the VW Polo, a subcompact car built by Volkswagen and popular in the European market. This deal is amazing 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 Hornet as the company has excess capacity and the cost advantage that no American 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 expected 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. Currently, 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 vehicles. 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 also be built in Mexico.

Featuring a boxy design, the Bronco will be similar in design to the xB and to the Hornet and will likely 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 cheap imports expected from China as well as other Generation “Y” vehicles on the market.

Yes, the car wars never end and more battles are certain to ensue. Both Nissan with its Versa and a tiny 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.

Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer covering new car topics and trends, auto parts and accessories, and more. You can outfit your car for less via
Maximum Auto Parts, a quality wholesaler of discount automobile parts and accessories for your car, truck, van, or SUV.

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Just when it seemed like Honda couldn’t possibly discover another market segment for its vehicles, it introduced the 2007 Fit. A four-door subcompact, the Fit combines a wondrously efficient use of space with snappy versatility and economy.

The Fit joins the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and S2000 as the 10th vehicle in the Honda line that debuted in the United States in 1973.

The Fit, known at the Jazz, has been sold in Asia since 2001 and in Europe since 2002 as a way to combat the parking dilemma prevalent in most international metropolitan cities. To further help curtail the problem, the two-seat Smart, the microcar DaimlerChrysler offering, has found increasing success overseas.

While not as small, The Fit, like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, have arrived a year in advance of the Smart’s expected 2008 U.S. arrival. And with the Fit, at least in my weekly test of the Sport model, there’s no sense of driving a novelty.

Consider: While the Fit is nearly 20 inches shorter than the Civic, it has nearly the same interior space as the Accord. Of course, there are differences between the Fit and other Honda sedans. But as Honda’s smallest vehicle, the Fit has a long list of standard features and unique offerings. It’s particularly impressive considering that with every available option included the Fit costs less than $16,000.

In addition to the Sport model, the Fit is offered in a base model. Both styles include 1.5-liter, 16-valve, 109-horsepower, 4-cylinder engines. The base editions include 14-inch wheels, electric-assist power steering, two-speed front wipers and a rear wiper, air conditioning, power windows and locks and an AM/FM radio with CD player.

The Sport model features 15-inch alloy wheels with wider tires, additional body styling, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded MP3-compatible audio system with an auxiliary jack.

The Fit’s interior is efficiency defined. The five-speed manual shifter is nicely positioned and controls and dials are handsome, if simple, logically configured and offer nice ease-of-use characteristics. The Fit has two front seat cupholders and individual door-panel rear seat cupholders. The 60-40 split rear seat features multiple configurations, including one position which configures either side or both bottom seat sections flush against the seat back seats. The result: a cavernous cargo area. Honda calls the feature a “Magic Seat.” The Fit also has a spacious trunk with a wide, level and easy access entry.

As a subcompact, there are a few shortcomings. The front-passenger visor does not have a mirror and there’s a conspicuous absence of front-seat console storage compartment. The carpet, side-paneling and console material isn’t as nice as the Accord or Civic, but it’s far from cheap.

But the best part of the Fit is its surprisingly nice drive. With its 109-horsepower engine, the car isn’t about to establish any speed records. Yet, since it’s lightweight and efficiently constructed, the Fit moves around pretty nicely, with 0-60 mph in less than 10 seconds. Cornering and maneuvering is confident and at all speeds, the vehicle is far from noisy.

There’s just not much to criticize about the Fit. Honda has a longstanding, stellar reputation throughout its line. And as the newcomer, the Fit fits in admirably with its brethren.

The Weekly Driver: 2007 Honda Fit

Safety Features Dual front, front side and side-curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) 33 mpg (city), 38 mpg (highway).

Warranty Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.

Base Price $15,170.00

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Automakers are clamoring to build and market cars to the Generation “Y” crowd which, loosely defined, and encompasses new drivers and mostly everyone who is under 30. Toyota threw the gauntlet down in 2003 when they introduced a line of cars under the Scion brand. Now, Nissan is responding and the Versa - to be released during the summer of 2006 - is their answer. Will the Versa compete successfully or be lost in a sea of Gen “Y” vehicles soon to flood the market? All of that is too early to determine, so let’s take a look at the Versa and what the car has to offer to motorists.

A visit to Nissan’s website reveals much about the Versa. Unlike a certain Scion vehicle that takes its styling cues from a toaster, the Versa is aerodynamic and reminds me of the Toyota Matrix. Available as a four door sedan or five door hatchback, the Versa is expected to retail for around $12,000, the same price range as Scion vehicles. Like Scion, the Versa will be fairly well equipped to give motorists a value packed experience without having to add on several thousands more to the base sticker price in order to achieve a satisfactory and comfortable driving experience.

Along with a 1.8L I4 engine, here is what you can expect to be included with base models:

AM/FM/CD audio system
Air Conditioning
Power side mirrors and automatic trunk release
6 speed manual transmission [4 speed automatic is optional]
Split folding 60/40 seat with the hatchback

Not a bad standard equipment list for the price. For $2,000 more, SL versions will come with aluminum alloy wheels, cruise control, power windows/doors/locks, remote keyless entry, a souped up sound system, and more.

The car will have a 102 inch wheel base which is long for a vehicle of its type. The result is more interior room, with four adults having ample knee and leg room to weather long trips.

Pictures of the interior reveal a car that is well though out and not cheap looking. I especially like the dashboard with its overlapping circular instrument panel and easy to reach audio and air conditioning controls. A generation ago, entry level cars would have looked and felt cheap. Today’s drivers expect more and the Versa delivers in the form of a decent level of standard equipment and attention to style.

The Versa replaces the Sentra as the entry level Nissan. Nissan has restyled the Sentra and “promoted” it up a notch much like Honda has done with the Civic and Toyota with the Corolla.

Although more expensive than Chevy’s Aveo and Kia’s Rio, the car has more flair and style than either one. Still, one has to wonder how the Versa will compete against Toyota’s soon to be released Yaris and the all new Honda Fit. Throw in new models expected from Dodge and Ford and add Chinese cars to the mix and the whole entry level market becomes saturated.

Ultimately, the Versa is a step in the right direction and a nice alternative to some of its boxy competitors. Gen “Y” drivers have another choice in the Versa and an alternative to Scion, Toyota’s youth-oriented brand.

Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer who blogs and writes on a variety of car related topics. Matt invites Nissan enthusiasts to visit the Discount Nissan Parts site to find the best selection of parts for your Sentra, 350Z, Titan, or other fine Nissan vehicle.

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