News: Cobalt XFE sales 2x more popular than estimated, more XFE models coming

[MetroMPG]

Arminius, when you say the Focus has been tweaked, do you mean it's a change/addition to the current model run, like the Cobalt?

[Blue07CivicEX]

Ok, I'm not big on conspiracy theories but has anybody else noticed with the new EPA it seems like the Big 3 got more MPG's but the foreign companies either lost some or stayed even?

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Arminius, when you say the Focus has been tweaked, do you mean it's a change/addition to the current model run, like the Cobalt?

The Focus has been redesigned, but I believe that the engine is one that they've used in the past. It was just a guess, actually. I don't know much about it, except that I've studied their underbody aerodynamics a little.

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by Blue07CivicEX

Ok, I'm not big on conspiracy theories but has anybody else noticed with the new EPA it seems like the Big 3 got more MPG's but the foreign companies either lost some or stayed even?

Yes, but the reasons the big 3 improved are well documented, and the foreign companies aren't saying that they've made changes, so that's why no one is complaining. Besides, the EPA isn't known for favoritism.

[Arminius]

One more thing I found out. The 2008 Corolla MT got 37 (EPA) mpg on the highway. With the more powerful engine and increased weight, the top mileage 2009 Corolla will get 35 (EPA) mpg on the highway. The teacher has become the student, Grasshopper.

[MetroMPG]

The mods GM made to the Cobalt XFE are easy to do, and cost next to nothing other than the up front engineering. We'll see more automakers respond to GM's move.

The return of competition for sales based primarily on efficiency has already started in the marketing arena - useless changes in messaging from an efficiency perspective.

The "useful" engineering/product development from multiple manufacturers (Honda & Toyota won't stand for GM beating them) will increasingly find its way into showrooms.

[Arminius]

The Cobalt has the biggest engine (and horsepower) of all the cars mentioned above, except the Focus (which is also a 2.0L). I wish they'd downsize and get even better mileage.

[Big Dave]

The substantive mods are the easy part. Its the regulatory compliance that takes so long. Why do you think models stick around so long without more than cosmetic changes.

By time the manufacturers get a high-MPG model through all the approvals, the market can change drastically. If the oil thing really is a bubble (as some people think) and it pops with gas prices going back to 2006 levels, and you haven't got you high-MPG car through the approval process, you are screwed.

I've seen oil price drop off three times since 1974. Oil is a notoriously boo-or-bust business.

[cfg83]

Arminius -

Originally Posted by Arminius

The Cobalt has the biggest engine (and horsepower) of all the cars mentioned above, except the Focus (which is also a 2.0L). I wish they'd downsize and get even better mileage.

As I always like to say, the reason I didn't consider going from a Saturn S-Series to a Saturn Ion was that they *lowered* the MPG on the Ion when compared to the S-Series. It was only a few MPG, but it pissed me off, because I just *knew* that the Ion could be tuned to at least match the MPG of the S-Series.

All the marketeers had to do was campaign for an "XFE" package 10 years ago when gas was cheap. Even if the sales would have been small, there will always be people that pick cars based on MPG. Back then the importance of MPG was much less, but it is also a "bragging rights" issue when it comes to advertising. If you can claim equal or better MPG than ToyoNissaHonda, then you can pry a few customers away.

I wonder if the 1.8 liter Asta will come with an XFE option? There's a wimpy little 90HP/1.4 liter/gasoline engine Astra in Europe right now.

CarloSW2

[Fr3AkAzOiD]

Well my old '94 LHS is on it's death bed so I picked up an '08 XFE.
Had been looking around at different cars for quite a while and I have to say for the money the XFE is great.

Granted there are cars with far better quality interior and a better history of reliability then Chevrolet (only time will tell with the Cobalt XFE) but on the road for $14,170, getting 40+ mpg, knowing I am helping keep Americans employed, and enough room to actualy have adults in the back seat, hell....I'm not complaining.