Ford likely to build Verve in Mexico

Posted Tue Feb 5 2008 7:24 AM by Ralph Hanson

Mexico is quickly becoming a hotspot for production of low-cost models destined to be sold in the U.S. and Canada. The quality of cars coming out of the country is at the level where luxury brands such as Cadillac are moving operations to Mexico, and now there’s a contingent of carmakers from both the U.S. and Europe planning to increase production there.

According to the Free Press, Ford is likely to build the U.S. version of its future subcompact car in Mexico, a car based on the Verve sedan concept featured at the recent Detroit Auto Show. The production model, which is also expected to be called Verve, was engineered in Europe alongside a hatch variant that will be sold in global markets.

An inside source has revealed to reporters that the Verve will be built at a plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico, and that it will hit the market around 2010. Analysts say such a move makes sense because of the lower labor cost, and they’re predicting more capacity will be dropping in the U.S. while rising in Mexico. Brazil is another location that could see production of the Verve as Ford is yet to make a final decision.

Some of the other models already manufactured in Mexico include the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Dodge Journey and the Chevy HHR and Saturn Vue.

Gallery: Ford American Verve Concept

Reader Comments

Tue Feb 5 2008 8:23 AM
chris says

so from the sounds of it, ford has decided to call this car the verve. interesting because they were talking about the desire to keep a global badge for any particular model. surely they wont call this car the Verve in europe.... to kill off the fiesta badge in europe may lose some customers.
Tue Feb 5 2008 8:47 AM
germandude says

WOW that's some crazy-ass styling! I absolutely love that interior! =D
Tue Feb 5 2008 9:09 AM
chris says

germandude; remember, it is a concept. that being said, the NA focus has a pretty interesting interior and that wasnt exactly an all new car.

fords hoping to "bring the sexy back" to small cars (and i quote, in the words of a ford rep at NAIAS). so they may just make an interior that is nearly that funky.
Tue Feb 5 2008 10:31 AM
Chuck says

Another Ford vehicle built outside the USA. Well thats another one that I will not consider.
Tue Feb 5 2008 10:48 AM
chris says

chuck; as the article states, this would only be the second ford car in the lineup that isnt built in the states.

if you want it built in the states, then you'll be paying 20,000$ for a fiesta. people dont like paying 20k for a car that seats two comfortably. unless its a strict 2 seater.

i dont have a problem with the "i wont buy anything unless its american made" additude, so long as you aren't using that as a justification to buy an actual import. which for the most part, was probably made in USA as well.

Just don't say "ford has some plants outside the USA so i might as well shop exclusively import".

also, note that many vehicles are made exclusively in canada. are you saying you'd only buy domestic? american? or union? otherwise you may want to scratch off the rav4, civic, caravan, charger, camaro, any 3.4L GM that has a transmission, and any ford truck with an engine. Also, don't ride in a taxi or a cop car cause the crown vic is made in ontario.
Tue Feb 5 2008 1:20 PM
Gus says

It\'s a good question, what\'s more American, a Ford built in Mexico, but the profits go to Detroit and all the investors all over the world, or a Toyota built in the US from parts shipped in from various locations, whose profits go to Japan and investors all over the world?
Of course the ideal is a car built in America from American parts, but that doesn\'t seem to happen at all anymore.
Great looking little car, though...
Tue Feb 5 2008 4:28 PM
ohmy says

note to Ford: please build it as is and bring it to the US!!!!
Thu Feb 7 2008 11:14 AM
NaBUru38 says

If Ford do Brasil actually builds this car, I'd be both shocked and glad. That's because there are very little current-gen cars produced in Argentina and Brazil, where most cars sold in Uruguay come from. The Polo IV, C3 and Punto are quite expensive, and the current Corsa, Clio and 207 may never come to the Mercosur.

Now, if the new Fiesta is built in both Brazil and Mexico, Ford do Brasil will have one market less to sell their cars, so they may not be that happy.

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