U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta to debut at LA Auto Show
2010 Ford Fiesta – Click above for high-res image gallery
Come December, we'll finally get an official look at the U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta at the LA Auto Show. Yes, yes... we've seen the Fiesta in a hundred different colors and shapes already, but those have all been either European or Chinese models, and the U.S. version of the car will have a slightly different look as necessitated by our federal crash requirements.
Don't expect any major changes to the Fiesta's basic shape, however. We may get mildly enlarged bumpers front and rear, and those will likely have a small impact on the car's fascias, but overall the changes should be very minor. While an official sale date has not yet been announced, the Fiesta should show up in Ford dealerships sometime in early 2010.
According to Ford, more than 50,000 "hand-raisers" have expressed interest in the small car since its Fiesta Movement kicked off back in May. Perhaps an even more noteworthy statistic is that 97 percent of those parties don't currently own a Ford. Hit the jump for the official press release.
Gallery: Ford Fiesta in NYC
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD'S NEW FIESTA TO DEBUT AT L.A. AUTO SHOW; FIESTA AGENTS BEGIN FINAL MONTH OF MISSIONS
* The car consumers can't stop talking about, the 2011 Ford Fiesta, will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December
* Since its kickoff in May, the Fiesta Movement has resulted in more than 50,000 hand-raisers, 97 percent of whom currently do not drive a Ford
* Fiesta Movement agents embark on entertainment-themed adventures in October for their final month of missions
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6, 2009 – Ford's rollout of its next generation of small cars will hit an important milestone when the new Fiesta is revealed in December at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The reveal of the North American-based Ford Fiesta will also mark the culmination of the first phase of the Fiesta Movement.
Set to arrive in dealer showrooms next summer, the Fiesta already can claim more than 50,000 potential customers thanks to the Fiesta Movement.
"This is the perfect time to show the North American Fiesta," said Sam De La Garza, Ford Fiesta marketing manager. "The Fiesta Movement will have wrapped up, and after hearing so much about this car leading up to the reveal, everyone will finally get to see what we are so excited about."
Fiesta Movement October missions – entertainment
Fiesta Movement agents are entering their final month of missions, and October has them having a blast with missions planned around the theme of entertainment. With 100 missions to choose from, all agents are sure to find an adventure to suit their tastes.
October missions include:
* Visiting Turn10 Studio, Microsoft's racing studio, to get a look behind closed doors at the making of the latest Forza race game featuring the 2011 Ford Fiesta. The agent will get to design his or her own Fiesta, then climb into a three-screen simulator complete with hydraulics to put the new game to the test.
* A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the production of a music video with Izza Kizza. The hip-hop artist is creating his music video for the song "They're Everywhere," and one lucky Fiesta agent will get to be right there, front and center, for the fun.
* Hanging out in the recording studio with Jukebox the Ghost. The indie pop group is recording its new album; a Fiesta agent will be checking out the band's new tunes right along with them.
* Several missions for football fanatics, from checking out a Detroit Lions game with a former player, to watching a Philadelphia Eagles warm-up, to hanging out for the team's game and meeting the broadcast group for the Eagles.
During each mission and after its completion, agents upload content to the Fiesta Movement Web site or the social media platform of their choice. Using www.fiestamovement.com, visitors can follow the ride by accessing the live feed feature to keep current on what the agents have to say about Fiesta and their missions.
Spreading the word
After kicking off the Fiesta Movement and embarking on their first missions in May, agents created a big impression in the social media world, including:
* More than 4.3 million video views on YouTube
* More than 540,000 photo views on Flickr
* More than 3 million impressions on Twitter
Fiesta sales success
Fiesta is continuing its sales momentum as Europe's No. 2-selling car and Ford of Europe's top-selling vehicle, helping Ford's share in Europe's main 19 markets increase for the eighth consecutive month.
Nearly 340,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched last autumn, with 21,800 delivered to customers in August. Fiesta was the best-selling foreign vehicle in August in both Italy and France.
In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding drive quality, design and value. The all-new Ford Fiesta will bring its three-decade heritage to U.S. consumers in 2010.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
0tto 3:35PM (10/06/2009)
I'm afraid of what their going to do to the interior.
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StickShift 3:45PM (10/06/2009)
I'm more afraid of what they might do the suspension.
naggs 4:58PM (10/06/2009)
i was sold till the 3 door got axed
no thanks
Eh 5:05PM (10/06/2009)
Im just plain afraid.
I need a new car with good gas mileage and the Fiesta is at the top of the list. I can honestly say I am scared of what they are going to do to it, if they try and make it match the hideously clumsy american ford styling then theres no way I would buy it. It needs to keep the Evo grill, if Mitsubishi can do it in America then theres no reason Ford cant.
The Focus seriously scares me though. I have 0 trust that Ford isnt going to crap all over this car.
thritter 5:12PM (10/06/2009)
The sheer terror that Ford is going to screw up the highly-regarded Fiesta in the translation from European cool ride to American lard-butts is hilarious. Too bad it's all justified.
Dave 10:16PM (10/06/2009)
I'm afraid theyre going to split their small car resources between the Focus and the Fiesta and end up with two losers instead of one winner.
Luis 3:35PM (10/06/2009)
50k hand raisers for a standard sub compact with normal tech and 50k for the super-techy Volt...just how special is that Volt, then, when they could've just made a normal car and still generated the same level of excitement?
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Danimal 3:56PM (10/06/2009)
If you had to pay to get your ass kicked, would you raise your hand for an ass kicking that cost you $10 or one that cost you $20?
I see the point you're trying to make, but it's logic is thin at best.
geo.stewart 4:18PM (10/06/2009)
well, lets see Danimal. I'll assume I get Mickey rourke doing it for 10, and hoping I get Jennifer Garner for $20.
I'll pay the $20 Monty.
Danimal 4:21PM (10/06/2009)
Haha.
adam1drift 3:36PM (10/06/2009)
I have driven one of the Fiesta movement ones and this car is nice! I just hope they dont change too much and bring it soon!
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Jon Brewer 3:36PM (10/06/2009)
"the U.S. version of the car will have a slightly different look"
lets pray this doesn't mean what i think it does.
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Kumar 4:03PM (10/06/2009)
Yes...it does..sedan only. ;)
alexacoon 4:20PM (10/06/2009)
We will be getting the hatch as well, but does anyone know for sure if there will be a three door available, if not I give up, will have to choose between a TDI Golf or a CRZ.
akboss302 4:45PM (10/06/2009)
As far as I know just the 4-door sedan and 5-door hatch are coming, no plans for 3-door yet. But be patient, if you can wait for a year or two after the car is on the market, they will introduce all kinds of new models to keep up interest - I'm waiting for the ST model (if ever). Maybe about a 1.8-2.0L turbo, 200 hp, LSD and 6-speed with 3 pedals.
MemphisNET 3:47PM (10/06/2009)
I'll take a crap interior if it means the ride/handling stays in check
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AKJeeper 3:49PM (10/06/2009)
"the U.S. version of the car will have a slightly different look"
Somehow I have a really bad feeling about this one...
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Paul C. 3:53PM (10/06/2009)
"the U.S. version of the car will have a slightly different look as necessitated by our federal crash requirements" read: they will find a way to beat it with an ugly stick...I'm sure they same will go for the interior as well.
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warsteiner89 3:58PM (10/06/2009)
you know you've got yourself an awesome looking car if it can look good even in that lime-green color.
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Bloke 4:06PM (10/06/2009)
"Don't expect any major changes to the Fiesta's basic shape, however. We may get mildly enlarged bumpers front and rear ..." - Autoblog
Let's hope they're not quite as "mild" as those on the Focus' transition to North America, then.
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