Ford Fiesta Small Hatchback for the FamilyOne of the first and most popular hatchback cars in Europe was the Renault 4. Unlike its predecessors, it had a single door, a rear window and a hinge at the top. The car was a top seller in the 1960s and did more than other models to popularise the hatchback in Europe. A decade later, hatchbacks became quite popular in North America following the oil crisis. You see, hatchbacks tend to be much lighter than other passenger cars and they typically get better mileage. The hatchback continued its growth until the 1990s when manufactures on both sides of the Atlantic focused on small family hatchbacks. Cars like the Ford Fiesta small hatchback sold like hotcakes in the Europe, but the sales fell flat in North America. The reason for this was simple: consumers had shifted away from small family cars and towards hulking SUVs. So, while the numbers were disappointing in the States, the Fiesta sold an incredible 8 million units in Europe. It is currently in its sixth generation and shows no signs of slowing down. What do consumers like about the Fiesta? Not only are they more commodious than the average hatchback, but they are also quite sporty and offer a superior driving experience. Of course, the car also gets great mileage at 40 miles per gallon with the petrol version and 46 miles per gallon for the diesel. Compare that with paltry 14 miles a gallon for the average American SUV and it is clear that European families are making the right choice with the Ford Fiesta hatchback. |