This story's been floating around for months, but it's probably one of the more likely rumors shopped this year. Ford Motor is reportedly considering a new, small car for the US market that's priced in the $10,000 range. With competition on the way from GM's Daewoo-China alliances, Ford risks getting shut out of the American-branded subcompact market. According to Automotive News, dealers — using their canary-in-a-coalmine senses — are clamoring for a lower step in the Ford line, and the company may ablige in model year 2008, with a Mexican-made Ford Fiesta. No word on which body style, other than the hatchback would make it north of the border.

Related:
Is the US Market Getting the Ford Fiesta in 2007?; Is Honda Bringing Entry-Level Fit Subcompact to the US?; General Motors's VP Says Daewoo Matiz Could Come to US [internal]

Contact information for this author is not available.