Ford confirms two colors for 2011 Fiesta
Ford Fiesta (Euro-spec) – Click above for high-res image gallery
It's not likely that white, black and silver will be dethroned as the most popular color for vehicles in all the universe (have you ever seen a spaceship painted orange? We haven't either). That said, we're all for offering a diverse palette of hues when it comes to car colors. Ford is touting the popularity of non-monochromatics with some interesting stats: nearly 40 percent of people who have bought the F-150 SVT Raptor so far have chosen "Molten Orange" (blue, white and black are their other choices) and 2010 Mustangs decked out in "Grabber Blue" have grabbed 10% of Ford's pony car sales so far.
With that in mind, Ford has confirmed that "Bright Magenta" and "Lime Squeeze" will be two colors available for the 2011 Fiesta when it goes on sale next year in the U.S. You should be familiar with these two paint jobs by now, as
Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro-Spec)
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE
FORD SEES DEMAND FOR HOT HUES; 2011 FIESTA TO LAUNCH WITH BOLD NEW COLORS
- Bold colors with fun names are appearing more and more in consumer products, offering consumers more individuality while bucking the traditional wisdom that conservative colors dominate in a recession
- While black, white and silver still remain top choices, Ford is seeing strong U.S. sales of new vehicles offered in bright colors – like "Grabber Blue" and "Molten Orange"
- Fiesta will arrive on American shores next year, offering two bold color choices: "Bright Magenta" and "Lime Squeeze"
Ford is experiencing the trend, too, with high demand for vehicle colors such as the 2010 Mustang in "Grabber Blue" and the F-150 SVT Raptor in "Molten Orange." When the 2011 Ford Fiesta goes on sale next summer, consumers will have bright colors to choose from, including "Bright Magenta" and "Lime Squeeze."
"Brilliant colors are transforming the norms in how we think about all sorts of products, allowing people to express individuality more and more through the electronics they use and the cars they drive," said Susan Swek, Ford group chief designer, Color and Materials Design. "Color is a simple way to allow people to add a personal touch to their everyday lives – something that speaks to them and expresses a little of their personality."
In the U.S. already, Ford is seeing strong sales for cars in brilliant colors:
• Nearly four in 10 (39 percent) customers purchasing the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor are choosing "Molten Orange."
• New "Grabber Blue" Ford Mustangs are exceeding sales projections, accounting for roughly 10 percent of total 2010 Mustang sales so far
The Ford Fiesta is coming to the United States with even bolder colors after seeing drivers around the globe gravitate to a palette of brilliant hues:
• In Asia, Fiesta buyers' third most favorite color (15 percent of sales) is an eye-popping blue called "Vision," followed by the lime green "Squeeze" (11 percent) with the top selling color being "Moondust Silver." In China, nearly three in 10 (28 percent) Fiestas purchased are "Passion Orange," making it far and away the favorite choice.
• Right behind "Panther Black" and "Silver", Europeans are selecting "Hot Magenta" and "Vision" as their third and fourth most favorite colors, each accounting for about 10 percent of sales across Europe.
In fact, for the first time with any Ford vehicle in Europe, Fiesta buyers are saying that vehicle color was among the top 10 reasons for purchasing the car, according to Ford research.
Since May, 100 Fiesta agents have traveled more than 800,000 miles around the country, primarily driving "Hot Magenta" and "Squeeze" colored Fiestas as part of Ford's Fiesta Movement (www.fiestamovement.com) The Euro-spec Fiestas are turning heads with their bold colors. "Almost everywhere I go, someone comments on the color," said Fiesta agent Hilary McHone of her Squeeze-colored car. "Women love it, and some people even show me how it matches their cell phone."
McHone, a Brooklyn photographer, adds, "It makes me think of spring. There's a lot of life in it. I think people are excited about having more color options these days. It allows people to express their personalities more." McHone likes her Fiesta color so much, she had her wedding dress made this summer to match the lime green.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
fixitfixitstop 1:31PM (9/17/2009)
Obviously the author hasn't seen the photos of the Fiesta Movement cars. I've seen both a magenta and a red one here in Seattle. If you search for "Fiesta Movement" tags on Flickr, you can see almost all of the cars in the program.
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C.W. 2:03PM (9/17/2009)
there is also a 'black' one in the movement.
Mike 1:33PM (9/17/2009)
They should name that green color: "Strep-throat mucus green." Every time I see that color, that's what it reminds me of.
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Taglane 1:37PM (9/17/2009)
As a person w/ strep right now, I can officially confirm it's not a vivid color like this here Fiesta.
Vivek G. 1:33PM (9/17/2009)
Courtney Force (the drag racer/John Force's daughter) has a black (or very dark blue) Fiesta. It looks pretty decent, but I personally like the Lime coloured one.
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Geo 1:35PM (9/17/2009)
Too bad the fiesta is so late to come to US. It is such a popular automobile throughout entire Europe. Especially the diesel version Ford has there. It is a wonderful small car that runs great. I think it will have a great response on the market here.
Let's see what the other automakers will bring from their EU lineups as well
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zamafir 1:51PM (9/17/2009)
the same could be said for the cube. it doesn't matter really, the fiesta will be the first of an entire raft of cars designed in parity with europe and, amazingly, the first truly entertaining drive in its price range. I don't care how long it takes, it's almost here and it'll do quite well.
flfny 11:55PM (9/17/2009)
It can't come faster enough for me. I have no car at this moment :( and am waiting impatiently for this car to come out. I was considering a Honda Fit (I was going to buy a car this month) but I REALLY like the styling on this car.
I want this car... now... seriously Ford... I want it now... Like what do I have to do? There's a $100 in it for you ;D
Aprime 1:37PM (9/17/2009)
Your presumption regarding the Fiesta Movement fleet is wrong.
They have all the colors available in Europe right now, plus they're covered in artistic vinyl decals.
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Aprime 1:39PM (9/17/2009)
Besides I fail to see why this warrants a news (seriously? A news post about color availability on an upcoming econobox? Wow (that I'd consider buying but still)) post while yesterday's IIHS 50th Anniversary video crash test has been entirely ignored by Autoblog.
Meh.
Brian 1:37PM (9/17/2009)
Watch Ford screw up the translation, just like they did for the Merkurs, Contour/Mystique, and second-gen Focus. They will either lard it up and numb or the factories that make them here will add all kinds of quality problems that weren't present in the European vehicles. Ford is going to have a lot of egg on it's face when this is all said and done. Again.
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Bill 1:42PM (9/17/2009)
This time I think you're confusing Ford with GM. I've got a good feeling that Ford has it's act together. Still not sure about GM.
On topic: I like both colors. Personally I would dig orange too. I've had 3 red cars now, and I'm up for a change, but I absolutely don't want any shade of silver, gray, or black*
*black would be ok if a full time car washer/waxer came with the deal.
gbgcarguy 1:56PM (9/17/2009)
@Brian,
Why is it that any vehicle that is FWD and a Domestic maker is in your opinion not worthy to be driven on this planet. Am I to assume you only feel a BMW or Mercedes should grace the pages of Autoblog??
Go outside and polish the spoiler on your Vette (Chevette, that is)!! Leave space in comments for people that have a viable argument on the automobile industry.
Brian 1:59PM (9/17/2009)
Because "domestics" can't build a decent FWD car. They're only good at making trucks, SUVs, and RWD V8 barges (but I repeat myself).
Aprime 2:03PM (9/17/2009)
Fusion, Lacrosse, Malibu, Aura, Astra, would all like to talk to you.
inline6 2:05PM (9/17/2009)
@Brian
Chevy Malibu
Saturn Aura
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Fusion
Ford Taurus
Mercury Milan
Shut Up
All better than decent...they're excellent.
Brian 2:13PM (9/17/2009)
The Fusion/Milan/MKZ is hecho en Mexico and is on a Mazda platform to boot, and the GM re-badges/Taurus are all on a European platform. My point stands. They may be "decent" but they have a lot of European and Japanese DNA.
Aprime 2:20PM (9/17/2009)
So what is it Brian? You were saying that these *Mazda based/co-developped* cars would get 'lost in translation', yet you're saying these cars are fine because they are based on work done by the Europeans and Japanese. But the thing is, platform aside, these are American products sold domestically, not in Europe or Asia, but only in the Americas.
You're just full of it.
Brian 2:21PM (9/17/2009)
Aprime--
A Camry is more domestic than a Fusion. More domestic content, and made in the USA. Ditto Accords.
"Domestic" is a meaningless term when applied to GM/Ford/Chrysler. They should be called Detroit, not "domestics".
Aprime 2:23PM (9/17/2009)
So what if it was manufactured in Mexico? The Fiesta's going to be too - heck, part of the FOCUS production was (that car that was lost in translation).
Anyway to sum it up you're saying that Detroit will f*ck it up yet when we mention good existing FWD cars made by either GM or Ford you just argue that it's different because they're based on Euro platforms.
You're defeating yourself here.