Spy Shots: Verve is the word for Ford
by Damon Lavrinc on Oct 9th 2007 at 6:02PM 
Spy shooters abroad have snagged a handful of pics proving once again that Ford's next generation Fiesta will be influenced by the Verve concept shown in Frankfurt. The automaker's Kinetic design language will influence every aspect of the five-door's exterior, with a cleanly stylized front clip, tautly drawn headlamps and a steeply raked windshield. The boxy persona of the outgoing model will be dispatched in favor of more curves and sculpted lines, and while the rear spoiler may be a bit of a stretch on this prototype, we'd expect something closer to the concept's to make it to production.It's expected that the Fiesta will find its way to the States once the hatch meets U.S. crash regulations and the styling fits in with Ford's other American offerings. Our only concern is how the three-bar grille treatment will affect an otherwise faultless front end.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
joe23521 6:11PM (10/09/2007)
"It's expected that the Fiesta will find its way to the States once the...styling fits in with Ford's other American offerings."
This sounds scary, to say the least.
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TriShield 6:18PM (10/09/2007)
Europe is where Ford is spending the majority of those R&D dollars, and it shows.
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whofan 6:23PM (10/09/2007)
Ford should ditch the 3 bar grill.
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SPG 10:16PM (10/09/2007)
I'm thinking that's what they mean by making it look more like their American cars.
Vivek 6:35PM (10/09/2007)
"Our only concern is how the three-bar grille treatment will affect an otherwise faultless front end."
If Ford does use that hideous three bar thing, they effectively ruined another car here in the U.S
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david 7:13PM (10/09/2007)
I'd like to know who at Ford thought that three bar grill would woo over buyers. Better, I'd like to know who designs some of Ford's lineup.
For God's sake, Ford, our patience is getting thin. You at one time were a leader in inovation and styling. What happened? I'm still a fan and I think your quality is on a roll, but, come on now. Give us something with passion. Give us something that makes us smile when we drive. Give us a world class leader.
I'm a baby boomer of 57 years and even I find your cars boring.
Do the names Studebaker or Rambler mean anything to you? You're heading that way.
Sully 7:20PM (10/09/2007)
All one has to do is look at the Ford Reflex concept to see how the 3-bar grill could be worked into the Verve concept. I'd rather have the Reflex front clip than the gapping mouth of the Verve anyway.
Reflex
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/04/new-angle-on-ford-reflex/
MasterCKO 7:41PM (10/09/2007)
Sully makes an excellent point.
Atomicbri 9:26AM (10/10/2007)
Ok Sully, I totally can see your point. Maybe that is a way for them to Americanize the Verve. But as far as I am concerned, Ford is already on its downward spiral here in the US so maybe that is why they are putting all efforts in the Euro cars and not here. Ford is horrible in their planning and marketing for the US Market.
rwcmick 7:04PM (10/09/2007)
It's my understand that the US market will not get the Fiesta hatch but rather a sedan. I think we should be seeing a preview at an autoshow in the not too distant future.
It's too bad b/c I really prefer hatchbacks.
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rwcmick 7:04PM (10/09/2007)
It's my understanding that the US market will not get the Fiesta hatch but rather a sedan. I think we should be seeing a preview at an autoshow in the not too distant future.
It's too bad b/c I really prefer hatchbacks.
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Turbofrog 7:33PM (10/09/2007)
I must be the only one who likes the 3-bar grille. And it would certainly help break up that enormous gaping catfish mouth that the concept had.
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Alex 7:39PM (10/09/2007)
yes, yes you are.
Justin 7:54PM (10/09/2007)
I like the ford 3 bar grille too. Where are all the people who bashed the large front grill on the upcoming aveo hatch? (i believe the author said it was going to eat him or something like that) Why aren't they scared this car will gobble them up?
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 1:15AM (10/10/2007)
I wonder if the the person who designed the three bar grille saw this
http://www.hotautoweb.com/images27/IMG_8384.jpg
and thought 'that actually looks pretty neat.'
I like the three bar grille too but it should stay on their cars.
I'll take my F150 with a honeycomb grille thank you.
Atomicbri 9:31AM (10/10/2007)
Or maybe they were inspired by this piece of machinery:
http://boles.com/called/fusion.jpg
MotoBCT 7:36PM (10/09/2007)
Ford’s Bold Moves
Since when did the American consumer become “so unique and special” that we lose out on gaining access to some the “best” products in the Ford Motor Company portfolio?? I’m starting to figure out what is happening here and it’s not a very pleasant conclusion.
If you look at the US production mix and compare it to what is offered elsewhere it becomes painfully clear that Ford believes we in the US are WILLING TO ACCEPT FORD PRODUCTS THAT THEY WOULD NEVER OFFER IN OTHER MARKETS.
FORD OF EUROPE
http://www.ford.com.cn
http://www.ford.co.uk/
http://www.ford.de/
http://www.ford.fr/
FORD NON EUROPE
http://www.ford.ca
http://www.ford.com.br
http://www.ford.co.za
1) Why has Ford not asked for the resignation of senior management that contributed to their horrible condition in the US market?
2) Why is Ford of China able to get the Mondeo and we get a product not sold globally?
3) Is Ford leadership stuck in USA 1970 and believe we don’t want the best global products?
4) Is Ford “protecting” a US design group that is out-of-touch with its market?
5) Are the US offerings dumbed-down to cater to a customer base that waves the flag but is unaware of the global competition and competitiveness?
6) Is the US over reliance on construction vehicles for daily transport setting the US economy for a rude awakening?
Bottom line... Ford could never afford the purchase of FOUR automotive companies (none of which was a top leader in sales) and the on-going R&D investments. With the exception of the F150 and Mustang, Ford has taken domestic profits from decades ago and plowed them into NON US Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury products.
As was mentioned in an earlier post, Ford does spend a lot on R&D. It begs the question, "On which product lines and vehicles and has the ROI been positive?"
As a Ford fan, I pray for their success in the US marketplace.
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That One Person 12:41AM (10/10/2007)
A few senior managers have left. And I believe the latest person that left was a marketing manager. Mullaly pretty much forced quite a few people out.
As for the rest of your points, you can answer them by looking at who was in charge BEFORE Mullaly. He has stated several times that he wants to align global platform sharing...meaning we may get more cars like the ones they get elsewhere. Which means, once again, we will get the same Focus as everyone else gets.
I am sure Ford could save bundles if they just designed global platforms. Even if they re-tooled our factories to support the manufacturing of those platforms.
Oh and by the way, the only company that WASNT/ISNT profitable was/is Jaguar. LR makes a profit. As did Aston Martin. And so does Mazda and Volvo.
Ford has the talent to design great cars. Their concepts prove that. It's management that greenlights this crap.
Oh and Geo Stewart....wrong company, you are thinking of GM...
HAWC1506 10:36PM (10/09/2007)
Do keep in mind that the Mondeo and even the Kuga has a gaping grille as well, they're just covered up by the license plate and an extra plastic padding. The Fiesta will most likely receive the same design cues.
CaptainSpaulding 8:15PM (10/09/2007)
interesting
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