| Toyota's Scion brand has been a runaway hit for the | | | | If based on the Polo, the Hornet is expected to use the |
| Japanese automaker ever since being launched in | | | | Polo's 1.6L engine and be paired with a VW |
| 2003. Designed to appeal to Generation "Y" buyers, | | | | transmission. Beyond that, look for the vehicle to be |
| the vehicles are popular, edgy - some would say ugly - | | | | closer in appearance to the Scion xA design, sport a |
| and have given Toyota an important toehold with | | | | five door hatchback design, and seat five passengers. |
| young buyers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are preparing to | | | | Currently, the xA sells for just over $13,000, so expect |
| respond to Scion, but in different ways. GM is planning | | | | the Dodge to compete at or below the Scion price. |
| to import more vehicles from its Daewoo subsidiary | | | | The Ford Bronco |
| while Ford and Chrysler are expected to build all new | | | | Don't expect Ford to sit back and watch from the |
| Scion fighting vehicles in Mexico, good news for | | | | sidelines as the market trends toward more Scion-like |
| motorists looking for affordable and quality vehicles. | | | | vehicles. In 2004 a concept Ford Bronco, taking styling |
| Let's take a look at what's coming down the pike. | | | | cues from the 1966 Bronco truck, made its |
| For the record, Scion isn't the only vehicle made for | | | | appearance at auto shows. Now, Ford appears ready |
| the Generation Y crowd. Honda's Element and soon to | | | | to go ahead with the Bronco which will also be built in |
| be released Fit subcompact are Scion competitors | | | | Mexico. |
| while the Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliper, and Saturn ION | | | | Featuring a boxy design, the Bronco will be similar in |
| are also aimed toward youthful drivers. With that being | | | | design to the xB and to the Hornet and will likely be |
| said, Dodge [Chrysler] and Ford must respond and it | | | | built on the existing Fiesta platform to hold costs down. |
| appears that both automakers will be fielding Scion | | | | Indeed, Ford is hoping that a budget Bronco will sell for |
| fighters within the next two years. | | | | less than $10,000 as it battles cheap imports expected |
| The Dodge Hornet | | | | from China as well as other Generation "Y" vehicles |
| Lo and behold, Dodge is nearing the finalization of its | | | | on the market. |
| plans to build the Dodge Hornet. According to industry | | | | Yes, the car wars never end and more battles are |
| sources including Edmunds, the Hornet will be based on | | | | certain to ensue. Both Nissan with its Versa and a tiny |
| the VW Polo, a subcompact car built by Volkswagen | | | | Toyota by the name of Yaris will soon be released |
| and popular in the European market. This deal is | | | | and competing on the market before the Hornet and |
| amazing as Volkswagen and Mercedes [a | | | | Bronco arrive in 2008 as 2009 models. |
| DaimlerChrysler division, as is Dodge] compete fiercely, | | | | Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer |
| especially in Europe. VW has a plant in Mexico that | | | | covering new car topics and trends, auto parts and |
| likely will produce the Hornet as the company has | | | | accessories, and more. You can outfit your car for |
| excess capacity and the cost advantage that no | | | | less via Maximum Auto Parts, a quality wholesaler of |
| American manufacturing plant can offer. For its part, | | | | discount automobile parts and accessories for your |
| VW gets to sell rebadged versions of the Dodge | | | | car, truck, van, or SUV. |
| Caravan minivan. | | | | |