Ford may bring the Fiesta
If you want a Fiesta in the US, the best place to get one is in Mexico. Or at least that is Ford's plan, to fill in
the Ford line below the Focus. Ford builds a four door version of the European Fiesta at its plant in Cuatitlan. That
vehicle is sold in the Mexican market but Ford also builds a hatchback and crossover based on the Fiesta in Brazil. In
2008 or 2007, Ford plans to move production of the Ecosport to Mexico. While Ford has not decided to bring any version
of its south of the border Fiestas to the U.S., it would be at least 2008 before we see one. No pricing decisions have
been made either, but you can expect something priced around $10,000.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Adam 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I dont care about any ford. This fiesta is probably not to do good because it is too much like a focus. Ford still has not recalled all needed vehicles with the fire problem. Their company should go down to, well you know!
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JustJase 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
It looks like a Focus that someone left in the dryer too long, but that's not a bad thing. I wonder if the one they would bring here will be the current design or a new one?
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JayP 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I'd have to think these sub-subcompacts need a little more character to sell. Small Focus's may get passed on, but Minis and Lupos are different enough to get by on styling.
Shoehorn the Cosworth Zetec 2.0 into the Fiesta, and I'd buy one if it looked like an Edsel.
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whofan 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
A car like that for 10k wouls sell good for Ford. Now with fuel prices the way they are a car with a small 4 banger and a 34 mpg average a long with a cheap price would be good. This will be good as long as the thing is reliable. Ford should try it. The bad side is it could cut into the Focus sales.
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JimboNC 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
It's the next big thing if gas prices stay high and from what I have read 2006 will see $100 a barrel oil.
"It looks like a Focus that someone left in the dryer too long, but that's not a bad thing."
You are close -- many would be happy to drive a dryer on wheels. Take in laundry at their parking lot. ;)
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David 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
If gas stays at its current level through the end of this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ford and others start raiding their European and Asian bins for more fuel efficient and even smaller cars. They are going to have to get something on the market to replace the big trucks that just won't be affordable with three dollar gas.
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kevin s 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
This is actually the best looking car of that size and price I've seen so far. Taut, handsome lines, a nice overall shape, good graphics. If I can't have a Clio this would do well.
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Dirth Pitranger 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I get 10 miles per gallon. Big engine, and big vehicle. I would love to get much better fuel economy, but 1.) I don't drive very far. 2.) The vehicle is paid for, and only has 25K on it. To trade down would cost me a bundle. 3.) To park this thing, and buy a small econobox would cost me more than the gas I presently use. Depreiation, insurance, inspection, and plates for the "box" is more than the gas savings. 4.) I like the power, and being "big" on the road. If I am in an accident, I don't want to be buried in the "box". Forsight would have perhaps mitigated this situation, ( should have bought something more "moderate" ), but I am here now, so I have to pay the piper. (Actually, the guys getting all the money do look like pipers. Turbins and all. Imagine that.)
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Robert Aitchison 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
YES!!! I've been saying for years Ford should bring the Fiesta.
If they sell the Fiesta in the low end (profitable at $10k) it takes pressure off the Focus, whoch was nenver designed for the bottom segment.
If the Focus can have a starting price of $14k instead of $11k they can de-cheapen it and make it as great as it was meant to be.
As it is even though they only sell a few >$14k Foci all of them, including a loaded >$20k ST have to suffer from things like interiors built from Fisher-Price grade plastic.
The Focus, if equipped like it is in Europe, wouldn't just be competition for Civic & Corolla, it would be competition for Accord & Camry!
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Adrian 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I'm with Robert- Ford hasn't brought over the Euro C1 Focus because the Focus is their low end offering. To say that the US focus is long in the tooth is a severe understatement at best.
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J 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I think it's a great idea. Fiestas sell well here in Germany and I think it'd be a hit with young people in the US.
To the person above who mentioned Lupos, the name Lupo name went the way of the dodo this year and has been replaced by the Fox (at least in Germany) and it's quite ugly.
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Miko 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
The more sub compacts the better...and this car better get more then 35mpg. My 94 civic gets 32-33... I need more of a reason then 3mpg to spend 10k on a new car. That's why I'm waiting for the new echo and fit to see what their mpg is.
Weather its a lupo, polo, or if the FOX is back...bring it over here to the states. I had a FOX and it was the best car I ever had, and it got 31mpg.
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J 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
The Polo still exists and is between the (new) Fox and Golf as far as size goes.
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Sully 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I just hope they use a different name than Fiesta/Festiva/Aspire if they bring it over. People have long memories. The problem with moving the Foci up market (And C1 based) is the Fusion. Fiesta/Focus/Fusion/Five Hundred leaves a lot of overlap, and they could run into the same issue they had with the Taurus/Contour where they cannibalized each others sales.
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Fred 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Based on a few days I spent with a rental 1.4 recently, the new Fiesta is a GREAT drive. Of course, this being Ford, they may well ruin the suspension to """"Americanize"""" it.
An ordinary euro-spec Fiesta is more fun to drive than 98% of the cars on the US market on any twisty road, and will happily cruise along at 80 all day if you're stuck on a highway. What's not to like?
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BrianS 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Hopefully Ford will have learned the lesson of the Mazda3. If you sell a great car at a decent price, people will buy it in droves.
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James G 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Since driving the new Fiesta on a vacation in Europe last year, I have been hoping Ford would bring it to the U.S market. This is a great car with it's efficent clean lines and large interior small exterior design. Throw in excellent fuel economy and european driving dynamics and it would give me a reason to go back into a Ford dealership.
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ducatinova 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I would buy one in a heartbeat as long as Ford does not ruin it by "making it more to American tastes". Wait, I am an American and just bring it as it is. That is my taste ! Also bring the ecosport with it.
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ducatinova 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
And one more thing. Not everyone wants a sedan. A car this small needs a hatch to be practical.
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