U.S. to get Ford Fiesta Hatchback

According to an article on Autoweek.com, the U.S. is going to get the hatchback version of the Ford Fiesta. Great news to us hatchback afficiandos. Heck, we should throw a party -- or perhaps a "fiesta." (Sorry. No, really, I'm sorry. )


LINK
U.S. gets hatchback Fiesta

Redesigned Ford Ka

Ford's smallest "global car," the Ka, has been redesigned. (Anyone else notice the Yaris-esque lines?) I like it. I doubt there are plans to bring it to the U.S., but if gas prices keep climbing (and the Smart does well and Toyota brings over the Aygo), perhaps it'll find its way here. More info and more photos at the link below!


LINK
More photos of Ford Ka at Auto Express

2nd Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise!

Members of both Scionlife.com and Yarisworld.com are organizing the 2nd Annual Mt. St. Helens cruise to Johnston Ridge Observatory on Sunday, June 8. Last year, a bunch of Scions (and a Yaris) cruised up Mt. St. Helens for a great day of scenery, cars, food, and friends. I was there in my old xB, and it was great. This year, more than 20 vehicles (Scions and Yarii (Yarii is the plural for "Yaris")) have signed up.

If you're in the Pacific Northwest, have a Scion, Yaris, or any other subcompact car, feel free to contact me or view either one of the threads on Scionlife or Yaris world and come along! There will be a picnic back in Castle Rock afterwards. Here's the schedule:


June 8, 2008
• 7:30AM meet at Toyota of Gladstone (PDX and south people) (Exit ??) Leave 7:45AM

• 7:30AM at the Star Lake Park & Ride (SEA and north people) (I-5 Exit 142) Leave 7:45AM

• 9:30AM at Gateway Food & Fuel in Castle Rock, WA (I-5 Exit 49) Leave 9:45AM

• Arrive at Johnston Ridge approximately 10:45AM via Hwy 504 (approximately 50 miles).

LINKS
Mt. St. Helens Cruise at Scionlife.com

Kia Soul: A Scion Slayer?

Kia released production photos of the Soul, the alleged Scion fighter. Although I'm not sure how big it is, if it's the size of an xA or xD, then yes, it's a subcompact. When the Soul and Nissan's Cube come over to the U.S., it'll be interesting to see how they do against Honda's Fit and the existing Scion line. Stay tuned!

New rolling stock for my Yaris: Pt. 2

Unfortunately the Konig wheels I ordered (see below post) were on order for 6-8 weeks, and I didn't want to wait that long. Instead, I found a great deal on some Speedy Race Mode wheels (15x6.5, +40) and Falken Ziex 912 tires. Although I wasn't going to go with an all-season tire, the 912s were a smokin' deal, so I figured what the heck. I've owned three sets of Falken Ziex 512s, and have been very happy with them. More info once they're on.

New rolling stock for my Yaris

I've switched things up a bit on my '07 Yaris. I sold my Speedmaster wheels and Kumho AST tires, and just purchased a set of 15" Konig Daylite wheels (15x6.5, et +40) and a set of Yokohama S.Drive tires (195/55/15). Can't wait to get them on! A bit more offset, and a narrower tire should reduce the small amount of rubbing I was getting with my last setup. Plus, the S.Drives are a much stickier tire than the Kumho ASTs.

Smart crash test = good!

The Insurance Institute for Highway Saftey (IIHS) tested the little Smart ForTwo, and proved many naysayers wrong by earning a "good" rating (aka the second highest). See -- small cars can be safe!

Press Release
IIHS's Smart ForTwo Crash Test

Small Car Sales Up

Small car sales are up for April, 2008. The biggest b-segment winner is Suzuki, whose SX4 has increased sales a whopping 119% from April of 2007! Here's a complete list of the April 2008 subcompact sales changes from April 2007:

Suzuki SX4: up 119%
Toyota Yaris: up 46%
Hyundai Accent: up 41%
Honda Fit: up 38.5%
Mini (all): up 28.6%
Nissan Versa: up 26.4%
Kia Rio: up 23.6%
Chevrolet Aveo: up 23.5%