Kia Rondos Demise In USA: Can Small People Movers Sell Here?

[Robotazky]

Whatever. I'm not an automotive engineer, but I am an engineer. I am inclined to assume that Ford's engineers are smarter than people standing around talking about what the internet says. Like I said before, we'll see. I put $5K into Ford about 16 months ago and the stock is worth $30K. If you are right, my $30K will be worth maybe $5K. If you're wrong, I'll be sitting on no less than $30K. Obviously I'm hoping they are playing their cards right more than the average forum voice, yet all I can say is we'll see. Won't we?

 

[KBrian]

Where is gas $2.50 a gallon??

8/16/2010 8/23/2010 8/30/2010

2.674 2.651 2.622 0.002 Boston

2.878 2.833 2.793 0.110 Chicago

2.644 2.574 2.625 0.100 Cleveland

2.667 2.662 2.705 0.209 Denver

2.538 2.492 2.463 0.045 Houston

3.166 3.137 3.078 0.049 Los Angeles

2.786 2.749 2.729 0.041 Miami

2.732 2.697 2.663 -0.025 New York City

3.203 3.159 3.120 0.048 San Francisco

3.095 3.084 3.042 0.159 Seattle

Ok, maybe 2.60-2.80, but below 2.50 in Texas

 

[coolmazda5]

I've been thinking more and more about this thread. Mazdas are relatively uneconomical cars as far as fuel economy goes. Nobody likes to hear it, but it's true. All you have to do is look at the 24 MPG HWY mileage of the new F150 with 350+ HP and you are just leveled by how much more economical the 5 could be.

Can small people movers sell well in North America? Yes, when they have the economy of a small vehicle. The engine in our cars is not economical even in a 3. You may argue, but if I have to I can list dozens of HP:weight:gas mileage ratios that smoke any Mazda for that matter. Take the fact they put an engine that isn't economical in a small car and crammed it into ours, and you can see why bigger vehicles are being bought to move people. Actually, not many cars are selling period. A smart car company is going to bet the house and stop at nothing to have economy numbers that drop jaws. If somebody does this with a 5-type car, you bet it will sell and be very popular.

My $.02.

The current Mazda3 and Mazda5 MZR engine technology is dated and got as far as it could IMO. Mazda is usually a little bit late on development (tight R&D budget should the culprit), but the upcoming Sky-G and Sky-D engines paired with new transmission designs should get more competitive fuel economy and more HP

In the meanwhile, Mazda's i-stop might do, but did not pass for North America


Added:
Talking about Sky-G and Sky-D:
Mazda Sky-G and Sky-D Engines revealed, driven

 

[twintrbo]

Ecoboost discussion is closed.........

 

[wmzda5]

I dunno know about that. when I'm going 100km/h (62mp/h) I'm already spinning at 3000rpm to get to to get to 130 I'm nearing 3500 rpm the AT mush have much lower gearing than the MTX

07 GT MT, mine spins close to 4k rpm when it passes 120kph

 

[remarquian]

Where is gas $2.50 a gallon??

Denver @Costco, it is $2.56.

 

[coolmazda5]

Ecoboost discussion is closed.........

Sky-G/Sky-D <> Ecoboost, the topic is why small people movers have difficulties selling here, so a non-competitive engine running on them is one of the issues IMO (Ecoboost, Sky-G, Ecotec DISI, etc.)

Oh, and I saw $2.54 in the area yesterday, for sure it will take another plunge after labor day...

 

[superbike7]

Damn I feel spoiled. Here in SC it's only $2.35 per gallon. I can get non ethanol for $2.42.

 

[Robotazky]

$2.55 here at Shell by my house.

 

[KBrian]

Down to Can1.10/litre or US3.95/gal tonight Yee haw!

 

[thaxman]

Slow down. Going 70MPH will probably improve your economy to 27MPG, 60MPH maybe 32MPG.

Well, when it takes 3 hours to make a 240 mi trip @ 80 and over 4 hours (3 hours is the max we can go w/o a bathroom break) if I drop down just to 75, saving $3 over the round trip suddenly doesn't seem worthwhile anymore. So we take the Volvo instead, which can get 25+ mpg at those speeds.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

I just paid $2.869 for a gallon this morning.

And my 08 5 speed a/t is at 2600 rpms at 71 mph.

Wow... old picture here

 

[thaxman]

Where is gas $2.50 a gallon??

AZ: $2.45 currently and falling slightly.

 

[twintrbo]

Well, when it takes 3 hours to make a 240 mi trip @ 80 and over 4 hours if I drop down just to 75

Probably a typo but it would take over 4 hours if you were doing under 60. It would only take another 20 minutes at 75. So if slowing it down 5 mph can save 4 MPG........You would be using 1.4 gallons less(24mpg vs. 28mpg). Call it $3.75 each way, not life changing but its like paying yourself $11.25/hr for the time spent slowing down

 

[flcruising]

I think he said that because, if he slows down, then they have to add a pit stop into the time travel. Hence the 4 hours.

 

[twintrbo]

I think he said that because, if he slows down, then they have to add a pit stop into the time travel. Hence the 4 hours.

(whistle)
Sure.......I knew that.............

 

[DKaz]

Does not compute.

 

[DKaz]

2011 Kia Rondo changes, pricing, and new colour!

Changes
- exterior colour Vanilla Shake (A1) available for all trims
- radiator grill - Tiger Nose Grill
- centre fascia and TGS knob cover will have new metallic colour (EX)
- door window swtiches and key set illumination will be applied
- muffle chrome tip applied to all trims
- roof rails colour change from black to silver
- chrome interior accents added to all trims
- folding key for EX trims
- electric remote fuel door release added to all trims
- ECM with rear view camera applied to EX-V6 Luxury trims

Pricing
LX (5-seater) - $19,995
- 2.4L, I-4 engine, 175hp
- 4 spd auto with steptronic
- 16" alloy wheels with 205/6HR16 tires
- 4-wheel disc brakes
- 6 airbags
- am/fm/cd/mp3 and 4 speakers
- ABS brakes
- ECO-minder
- anti-theft ignition immobilizer
- anti-whiplash active front headrests
- body coloured door handles
- ESC with TCS
- floor mats and mudguards
- power locks
- power mirrors
- power windows with driver's one touch down

LX (5-seater) with a/c - $20,995

EX 5-seater - $22,795
adds the following
- chrome accented front grille
- chrome accented outside door handles
- chrome accented waste line moldings
- cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
- deluxe cloth seating material (double raschel)
- fog lamps
- front windshield wiper de-icer
- heated front seats
- heated mirrors
- illuminated vanity mirror
- keyless entry with panic alarm and tailgate unlock with folding key
- leather accented gear shifter
- leather wrapped steering wheel
- metallic painted inside door handles and centre fascia
- romote audio controls on steering wheel
- roof rails
- upgrade to 6 speakers (adds dual fron tweeter speakers)

EX (7-seater) - $23,795
- 3rd row split folding bench seats (folds and sinks flat into the cargo
area)

EX Premimum (7-seater) - $25,095
- 17" alloy wheels with 225/50R17 tires
- power sliding and tilting sunroof
- leather seats

EX-V6 (5-seater) - $23,895
- 2.7L V6, 192 hp
- 5 speed auto transmission with steptronic

EX-V6 (7-seater) - $24,895

EX-V6 Luxury (7-seater) - $27,195
- 17" alloy wheels with 225/50R17 tires
- 8-way power adjustable driver seat
- leather seats
- power sliding and tilting sunroof
- trip computer
- ECM mirror with rear view camera display
- auto climate control
- sirus satellite radio with CD/mp3 and AUX + USB

EX-V6 Luxury + Nav (7-seater) - $28,195
- in dash navigation sytem

destination and delivery - $1650
a/c excise tax - $100

New Vanilla Milkshake colour (same one as the Kia Soul)


and the new corporate grille

 

[Rockin03mp5]

wooooh

that thing is expensive and ugly.

 

[07MZ5SA]

Sky-G/Sky-D <> Ecoboost, the topic is why small people movers have difficulties selling here, so a non-competitive engine running on them is one of the issues IMO (Ecoboost, Sky-G, Ecotec DISI, etc.)

I'm glad the new engine is single belt which makes replace A/C belt much easier.

Unfortunately, the A/C compressor is still clutch type

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/mazda_SKY-Gasoline.jpg