14 Jan 08
Ford first showed the three-door Verve concept at last autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show, and the four-door in China. Both are now here in Detroit, alongside a third variant, bringing the not altogether unsurprising news that Ford is considering selling such a small car in North America.
Developed by Ford's teams in Dunton, Essex, and Cologne, Germany, the Verve previews the global replacement for the Fiesta (although the Fiesta name will probably be retained in Europe). US sales of the four-door are planned for 2010. Three-door hatchbacks may follow if Ford judges that there is sufficient demand, and the platform will no doubt support a number of other potential body styles.
Ford has noted that small-car sales are growing, and expected to reach nearly 45% of all global car sales by 2012. It predicts a 25% - or 800,000-vehicle - rise in sales of cars of the Verve's size in the US by 2012, and wants to get in on the action, especially since cars in this category tend to attract the much-sought-after younger and first-time buyers. "We're known in Europe for uniquely-executed small cars", says product chief Derrick Kuzak, "and this is the perfect time to bring this expertise to buyers in North America."
The new Verve saloon concept on show in Detroit has been modified slightly from its predecessor as seen in China. The red saloon has a new three-bar grille with bolder Ford badge, smaller lower grille, new LED side markers, projector-beam headlamps with LEDs and 18-inch, 12-spoke alloy wheels with sidewall-striped tyres. It has a panoramic glass roof, pillarless side windows and extra chrome trim, and is kitted out with the latest electronic systems, sat nav, phone controls, and soft-touch materials and upholstery.
Check out the rest of our Detroit Motor Show coverage
