click above image to view pics of the current-gen Ford Fiesta from Europe
We've begged for Ford to begin selling some of its perceived-to-be excellent international wares in the U.S. and today we've learned our wait is over. Motor Trend is reporting that the next generation Ford Fiesta will be sold in the U.S. by late 2008, about a year after it's introduced in Europe. The new Ford Fiesta is based on the same platform as the Mazda2 that was officially introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March. We lamented at the time neither the Mazda or its Ford counterpart would ever be sold on U.S. shores, but apparently Ford had decided before the Geneva show that the Fiesta would be bound for the U.S.
The Ford Fiesta is a B-segment vehicle that will slot neatly below the current Ford Focus. Though we don't know exactly what the next-gen model will look like, MT is reporting that Ford of Europe's "kinetic" design language will not be tinkered with much during its transfer. That means we're not likely to see the Fiesta wearing a three-bar chrome grille, which is hardly tragic considering Ford of Europe's "kinetic" cars are equally if not much better looking than their U.S. counterparts.
Though the profit potential of selling the Fiesta in the U.S. is likely very weak, the arrival of a small car fills a gaping hole in Ford's lineup. The Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevy Aveo and more are competing fiercely right now in our domestic small car market. To say the arrival of a European-bred Ford Fiesta will be interesting is an understatement, to say the least.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Clinton @ Apr 27th 2007 4:42PM
I'll be all over this or a Mazda2. With Ford and Mazda, you know it will be a great driver.
kevin @ Apr 27th 2007 4:46PM
Drove the 5-door 1.4 version of this in Italy last fall, what a sweet little ride. Perfect size/power/ergonomics for both city and country driving (in Italy), I think it is just right as an entry level model here.
BOB @ Apr 27th 2007 4:49PM
European-bred? Cool. Made in Korea or China?-- perhaps more likely, unless Ford has a super low cost factory in Eastern Europe.
I love this part:
----Though the profit potential of selling the Fiesta in the U.S. is likely very weak, the arrival of a small car fills a gaping hole in Ford's lineup--
COOL! AND THEY CAN GIVE TICKETS TO DISNEYLAND WITH EACH UNIT SOLD!! -- C'mon, we all know the US makers cant keep selling small cars at a loss to satisfy CAFE or fill showrooms.
It is important to remember that this size car is a normal small family vehicle in Europe, but a starter car or kids' car here -- Americans see it as low end, no matter how nice, due to the size -- so it has to be cheap.
djSyndrome @ Apr 27th 2007 5:25PM
Late 2008 or Late 2009? Your headline and the article don't jibe.
Ligor @ Apr 27th 2007 5:38PM
well, the Mazda 2 looks much better than this Ford variant
sort of like the Mazda 6 is still the best looking and handling of the Fusion/Milan/Zypher
Aprime @ Apr 27th 2007 6:15PM
#3: It will be made in Brazil along with the Mazda 2.
Yaroukh @ Apr 27th 2007 6:23PM
#5: what you see is the CURRENT Fiesta
LtColumbo @ Apr 27th 2007 6:28PM
There have been scores of European Big 3 cars that we've always wanted over here.
Why can't this be a matter of a quick click of a mouse from an executive?
I'd like to know the REAL reason opposed to what everybody else is pulling out of their "hat".
Anybody in the business care to let us know?
Thanks,
Andrew @ Apr 27th 2007 6:36PM
#3 Ford produced/produces Ford Fiesta in England, Germany and a specially built factory in Spain.
Jon @ Apr 27th 2007 6:48PM
Late 2009? that seems too far away why don't they bring over their European models this year! late this year possibly? I hope the S-Maxx,C-Maxx,Euro Focus,coupe/cabriolet and the hatchback come to the U.S those would fit nicely in FOMOCO U.S line up,Mondeo also and the other models should come to the U.S also. They need a new ranger and a replacement to the crown vic replace it with the interceptor concept. Ford also needs to revive their SVT division or RS division for America and make more performance oriented vehicles in AWD. They should Bring back the Ford GT and make the GT90 and bring the Falcon over. Ford can do this i don't know why they don't.
I have the plans laid out for Ford's survival if only they would listen.
1.Bring over the European models as they are exactly. Revamp the U.S lineup also with a new Ranger,replace the Crown Vic with the Interceptor Concept and rebuild the GT40 and build a GT90. Revamp Mercury and Lincoln with help from Volvo or Jaguar.
The Focus in the Coupe-Cabriolet and Hatchback styles with standard AWD. The transmissions would be a 5speed auto and 5speed manual (base models)6 speed transmissions (manual)(RS) and a DSG style with paddle shift for the SVT model 255HP Turbocharged (RS) SVT 220HP both in AWD. Base price for the hatch 14,000$ and cabriolet 16,000$. SVT 22,000$ and RS 27,000$.
Bring over the C-MaXx and S-MaxX CUV's,offer the C-MaXx in FWD and 4WD and AWD standard for S-MAxX. Future RS/SVT model maybe?
Scrap the Five hundred/Taurus and Taurus X and replace it with the Fusion now with standard 4WD. Base Fusion with 170HP and the performance version 230HP with 6speed manual or a DSG transmission.
Bring over the all new Mondeo as the EVO and STI's competetor. Base 220HP AWD 6speed auto and high end models 260HP (SVT) DSG 335HP (RS) 6speed and DSG offerings. The base models price at 20,000$ and SVT at 25,000$ and the high end exclusive Brembo brakes,performance tuned suspension and other components buldged fenders for a more aggressive look RS priced at 32,995$.A new AWD system with tunable settings and 50/50 limited slip differential on all RS models and limited slip rear for RWD SVT models. SVT models get active rear differentials.
Revamp the Mustang,Ranger and bring the Falcon from Austrailia over. Offer both V6 and V8 engines, 6speed manual standard and a 6speed DSG offered. This would be stiff competetion for the Pontiac G8. The V6 would have 350HP and a price of 35,000$ and the performance RS 500HP both would be offered in RWD 6speed manual for the RS and DSG for SVT.
Jon @ Apr 27th 2007 6:53PM
Did i say it clearly enough? who agrees with me?
aSHIRTandTIEguy @ Apr 27th 2007 6:55PM
Dear Jon,
Either your my copy cat who has restated everything I have stated in my previous blogs, or that FORD has some loyal customers that will wait until 2009 to purchase their cars and while waiting for their current car to be done.
Which is it?
Jon @ Apr 27th 2007 6:59PM
I have not seen the blogs you checked out but my Mom works for FOMOCO. Those are all my own words on what Ford should do with their line up. What do you think?i think its a awesome prospect on what should happen.
FrankTheCrank @ Apr 27th 2007 7:39PM
Ford,
Drop a hybrid drivetrain in this car and I guarantee you'll sell a bazillion of them. Guaranteed.
BE BOLD!
Your Taurus driving pal,
Frank
Bob R. @ Apr 27th 2007 8:55PM
Then the Fiesta for Europe hasnt yet been unveiled?
BOB @ Apr 27th 2007 9:46PM
JON AND OTHERS............
I keep trying to say
1-- those cars you think look cool would look very expensive next to Korean and Japanese cars here, and many (Mondeo, all the Australians) not have enough of the American label's styling identity for people to recognize them as Fords, or whatever.
Does a Mondeo look as costly as a Lexus ES or the entry 3 Series BMW to you?
2 -- anybody remember all those Federal requirements?
Do you think they are automatically included in cars which were designed for Europe? The cost of messing with an existing model might be some large % of development for a fresh new American car.
3-- What is so bad about Americans that we are supposed to like only cars designed for Europe>
(I agree nice Euro cars are preferable to a poor American car, no doubt.n There is room for "American looking" cars.
Stoneman @ Apr 27th 2007 10:15PM
Allow me to jazz-up this boring press release.
Announcing the new 2008 Rally-Spec Ford Fiesta.
-234 bhp, turbo-charged and inter-cooled boxer 4
-All Wheel Drive
-LSD with DCCD
-6 speed manual transmission
-17 inch Z-rated tires
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
JB @ Apr 27th 2007 10:57PM
I spent a few years as an engineer in the auto biz, some at Ford, and some homologation (making cars suitable for importation to other markets).
There are several reasons why the Fiesta, Mondeo aren't a mouse click away:
1. Currency valuation. The dollar is getting hammered against the Euro right now. Ford NA would likely "buy" cars from Ford Europe. Ford is not one big company, it's really several companies geographically.
2. Differences in safety standards/cost to retrofit. Euro cars are designed for a different set of rules. The rules are generally merging, but are not the same. Per #1, Ford doesn't design a car to meet all regulations everywhere. This has to be the idea from early on for any hope of it happening. For example, window glass might not meet US standards, so in every car, it would have to be replaced. Labor, certifying new glass, wasting Euro glass, that alone is a huge cost.
3. Differences in market tastes. Euro buyers maybe own one car, and are willing to pay more for a smaller car, albeit with nicer equipment and interior, etc. A Mondeo is a large car, for an executive in Europe. Here, it's about as big as a Fusion. Would you pay 35K for a Fusion or a Mondeo? Even if it had top-notch equipment? No, most Americans equate size with cost/value. That's why small luxury cars have always struggled here. You reward yourself with a big Jaguar, not a small one, it looks like you can't really afford the real Jag. For example, every Japanese model has grown here in each new generation. Corolla is as big as Camry was, etc.
4. Overlapping models. What about the US Focus? The Fiesta must be priced below the Focus, enough to keep buyers from simply choosing the larger Focus. Do you raise Focus' price then, bumping into Fusion? Now the Taurus becomes a better buy for a bigger car. It's a vicious circle.
5. Have to make money. Companies exist to make a profit for their stockholders, plain and simple. Selling Fiestas at a loss just to gain market share is counterproductive.
I'd love to see Euro Fords here, and Aussie Fords, too. The Falcon is a nice ride, styling is OK, too. It's difficult to do a world car, that's why Toyota designs cars just for this market. Not all Japanese /Euro cars sold here are designed for the US, but a fair number are. Murano was here, then introduced years later to the Japan and Euro market.
Sorry for the long post, just trying to help explain why it's not a simple idea to bring cars from other markets here.
Will @ Apr 27th 2007 11:45PM
Guys, just shut up. Ford doesn't want to bring current gen fiesta because they want to bring the -best- possible product to the table when it does get here. As for the rest of it, all the global Ford companies are still basically separate entities and have tons of trouble communicating. That's part of the reason ford's in this mess.
Anyway, this is OLD, OLD, OOOOOOOOOLD news.
Patrick @ Apr 27th 2007 11:55PM
#16 said "not have enough of the American label's styling identity for people to recognize them as Fords"
Oh come on now, it's not like US Ford isn't right now trying to to reinvent it's own look with that three-bar razer-face thing. That's new. Customers and the public can be taught to recognize a new look.
Toyota changes the Camry every few years -look at the current one which looks nothing like anything else sold by Toyota, and yet it still outsells all other sedans.
Honda has changed both the Accord and Civic in the last few years.
These two brands have figured out you can sell more cars, not less, by making big cosmetic changes. Afterall, nobody wants to be driving around in what is clearly the previous model. They want new.
Ford, meanwhile, has apparently decided we all get three-bars whether we want it or not, and it's going to stay that way for a few decades. This is par for the course at Ford, where F-150s look the same for 10 or 20 years at a time.