Ford bites MINI's flavour with UK "chequered flag" model
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So, the Brits have made the Ford Fiesta a force on the sales charts for 30 years, and to celebrate, Ford's cooked up a loaded Zetec S "Anniversary" edition. The limited run of 400 cars is equipped with a 100-horsepower 1.6L Zetec, radian yellow paint, black mirrors, and some creature comforts like leather, A/C, and an MP3-ready auxiliary input jack. The icing on the cake, however, is the rooftop checkered chequered flag decal. Seriously.
Ford, MINI would like to have a word with you...
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD MARKS FIESTA SALES SUCCESS WITH LIMITED EDITION CHEQUERED FLAG MODEL
* Limited edition Fiesta Zetec S
* Unique radian yellow paintwork
* Chequered flag roof decal
* Just 400 available
* Air conditioning, leather seats, MP3 connection
* 1.6-litre 100PS 16v petrol engine
* On sale March 2007. On-the-road at £12,595
BRENTWOOD, Essex, 5 February, 2007 – Ford is offering a new high specification version of its Zetec S to mark 30 years of sales success for Britain's favourite small car. The Fiesta Zetec S "Anniversary" edition model will be a limited run of just 400 vehicles and will be on sale in March.
Priced at £12,595 on the road, the Fiesta Zetec S "Anniversary" edition takes the already complete specification of the Zetec S model and adds a host of extra equipment to make a highly attractive package adding around £1,400 of extra value.
Additional features over the regular Zetec S are: unique radian yellow paintwork, panther black door mirrors, side mouldings, tailgate handle and spoiler, MP3 connection socket, silver dashboard bezel, velour mats, privacy glass, full leather seats, chequered flag roof decal and chequered scuff plates.
Ford's sales figures for 2006 reveal Fiesta as a current star in a Ford range which has led the UK car market for three decades. Once again, Ford Fiesta was the first choice among private buyers. 2006 saw sales leap 24 per cent from 83,803 to 103,856.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NoNameDenton 3:13PM (2/09/2007)
I am so sad and disheartened that we are not getting that car here (Namely the Euro Focus, I could do without the lame Mini knock off flag on the top).
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NoNameDenton 3:16PM (2/09/2007)
The Fiesta I mean, Ford needs more small cars for America
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roadside observer 3:55PM (2/09/2007)
Ditch the checkered flag and I'll take it.
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3cubedminus3squared 4:13PM (2/09/2007)
Those rims look good on that car.
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lavardera 10:13PM (2/09/2007)
"Ford, MINI would like to have a word with you..."
100hp? Yeah, the word from MINI is going to be "so-long"
The Mini One comes with 100hp. A Cooper or S will blow this away.
But I'm being cranky. The car looks sweet and I'm sure its a bargain compared to a Mini. But I'm dreaming, and your teasing me, cause we can't have it in the us.
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Dr. Greenthumb 1:08AM (2/10/2007)
I remenber the original Festiva, sold here in the late, late 70s.
Don't even know why cars like this are even made. Not enough car for anyone over 22, 25 if you are a loser that still lives with your mommy.
I wouldn't put my kid in that piece of shit anyway. I'd rather buy her a better quality used car.
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NoNameDenton 2:13AM (2/10/2007)
Dr. Greenthumb, did you forget that not everyone can afford bigger and better cars? Some people have to make do with cars like that, because they are basic transportation and get great milage, it all comes down to the economics of the buying power of the consumer him or herself and what their needs are
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Avinash machado 5:08AM (2/10/2007)
If Ford launched the Fiesta in the US it could be a nice alternative to the Fit or Yaris and much better looking than either.
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LM dealer 9:31AM (2/10/2007)
Dr Greenthumb ...... you are mistaken, the Festiva didnt arrive until 1988. It was built in Korea by Kia for Ford. The Fiesta was a European Ford imported and sold here for three model years, 1978 - 1980 and was a great value. Fun to drive, excellent in deep snow and really good MPG for the time.
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far jr 10:45AM (2/10/2007)
Avinash... I agree with you. If the Fiesta came to the US with few changes it would be best looking in the segment.
Greenthumb... I agree with you too. I know many folks who are buying large SUV's for themselves so they can give a "safe" vehicle to thier kids in a few years. The reasoning you list may be a big factor (along with profitability per vehicle) as to why small domestic cars never really happened in the US market.
Denton... Although you are correct about what many need or should drive. Many (not all of course) folks of low financial means also do not think logically about the long term cost of ownership. If the initial cost is low, they buy it. I see many 10 year old 15MPG vehicles parked in depressed areas because they can be bought used for $5,000. The fuel saving and longevity of a new car alone would allow them to get into a new Aveo if they thought about it differently.
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jc 1:46PM (2/10/2007)
Doesn't make me think "Mini competitor"(not even with the checquered flag).It does remind me ,however ,of the communist-block imitators in the Mini commercials.
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Brandon 4:34AM (2/11/2007)
Ford needs to hire some designers. Preferably good ones.
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