Autoblog

REPORT: Ford believes it can get premium dollars for Fiesta... what do you think?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

So you're ready to be your own 2011 Ford Fiesta agent, but you'll actually be paying for yours instead of the company giving you one to drive for free. If you want one that's got all the doodads, this is what you need to do: bring money. A base Fiesta sedan starts at $13,320, but go for the pricier hatch and check a few boxes and you'll hopscotch your way past the $23,000 line -- and there will still be options left.

Ford doesn't see this car as just a small American hatchback for people who want a smaller footprint but all the style and utility. The base and lower end models fit the bill for that, but on the other end, Ford officials tell Automotive News that it sees the Fiesta as an aspirational, high tech hatch that can command attention and commensurately elevated prices. Said Ford's Jim Farley, "Americans have shown us if we bring out aspirational products, not only will they pay the base price, but go up."

We played with the Fiesta configurator and wound up at $22,970. Yes, it's easy to do, but that does give you just about everything -- we skipped the graphics packages, the smoker's kit, and a couple of other accessories. But of that $9,650 difference between the sedan's base and our wishlist hatch, about half of the cost is loaded on the front end: the SES starts at $17,120 before you do anything to it, and that goes to $18,190 if you go for the automatic. Ford's getting premium prices in Australia for the Fiesta, and it believes it can do the same here. If you think so - or don't - let us know in Comments.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

REPORT: Ford believes it can get premium dollars for Fiesta... what do you think? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec gets caught in Mexican factory

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Fiestas being built in Mexico -- Click above for high-res image gallery

What is reported to be the coming U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta has been photographed during assembly in Mexico, and the minor changes we can glean so far center around the grille. Compared to its European counterpart, the American version gets a much chunkier front end which has pushed the leading edge of the hood back. The Ford emblem is now completely surrounded by the front clip.

Below that, the central opening is larger, ringed with chrome, and the bisecting bar on the Euro version has been moved up and fitted with a U.S. license plate holder. Outside, the single fog light has been reworked into a giant, glass covered alien eye. Make no mistake - it's still hot, and we still can't wait to see it when it's unveiled at the LA Auto Show next month.

Gallery: Dummies Ford Fiesta americano

[Source: Autoblog Spanish (translated)]

Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec gets caught in Mexican factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta Euro-Spec almost ready for U.S. arrival

Chris Shunk — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, New Car Reviews

2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro-Spec) - Click above for high-res gallery

For longer than we can remember, words like 'cheap', 'unattractive' and 'lousy' were used to describe America's domestic offerings in the compact car segment. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have never figured out how to make money with small cars, so the domestic trio seeming has rarely put forth the effort to create competitive compact products. And although FoMoCo had a solid player in 2000 with the introduction of the Focus, when Ford of Europe received the thoroughly revised model in 2005, customers in the States got the short end of the stick. Until now.

While the 2011 Ford Fiesta isn't the Euro-Spec Focus that we've long-admired from abroad, this compact five-door offers a compelling list of kit in a tidy package. Ford is billing it as a great looking, high-quality vehicle that just happens to inhabit a small footprint. So the Blue Oval has imbued the Fiesta with the same technology and amenities found in other larger, more expensive offerings and added a healthy dose of nippy handling and top-notch fuel economy to boot. But those attributes come at a cost that - historically - Americans haven't been willing to pay for. So is the Fiesta worth your time and hard-earned coin? It's time to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro-Spec)

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta Euro-Spec almost ready for U.S. arrival

Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta Euro-Spec almost ready for U.S. arrival originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Other Neff: AutoWeek writer escapes harm after rogue tire takes out her Fiesta

John Neff — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Safety, Hatchback, Ford

2010 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Much has been said about the new Fiesta that will soon anchor Ford's line up in the U.S. For all of the praise that its driving dynamics and killer sense of style have earned, we still don't know how safe it is in an accident. That's an important consideration for cars this small that may meet the business end of a Hummer grille one day. Well, one person knows how safe they are: AutoWeek Road Test Editor Natalie Neff (no relation, seriously, just a coinkydink).

Her metallic green Fiesta media vehicle was recently attacked by a tire that had removed itself from an Oldsmobile Cutlass in oncoming traffic. As the story goes, the rampaging radial crossed the highway median and bounced up 20 feet in the air before it landed on Neff's windshield as she emerged from an overpass going 75 mph. Thankfully she's okay, or rather, thanks to the Fiesta, she's okay.

The tire left a skid mark on the Fiesta's hood and proceeded to transfer its kinetic energy to the windshield and roof of the car. Much destruction resulted and Neff says that she's still flossing bits of tempered glass from her teeth, but the use of ultra-high-strength boron steel in the Fiesta withstood a safety test that goes far beyond what NHTSA and IIHS has in store for the European import.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta in NYC

[Source: AutoWeek]

The Other Neff: AutoWeek writer escapes harm after rogue tire takes out her Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta sedan spotted chilling in Michigan

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Ford

Our friends over at Jalopnik managed to get their hands on a few spy shots of what appears to be a U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta sedan out and about in upper Michigan undergoing some harsh cold weather testing. Despite the heavy coat of grime, road salt and camo, it's clear that we can all let out a sigh of relief because the overall look of the car hasn't changed too much from what's been on the road in Europe and China for the last few months.

The only significant change that's readily apparent is a revised front fascia and a different bumper that appears just a bit worse for the wear as it has likely been reinforced to perform well in U.S. crash testing. We sense a slight underbite look on this prototype, but we'll reserve final judgment for the day we get to see one live and undisguised. Expect a U.S. debut before the end of the year.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Spy Shots: U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta sedan spotted chilling in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford giving away 100 Fiestas for six months

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Ford Fiesta sedan

Ford will be launching its Fiesta subcompact in the U.S. market as a 2010 model and is looking to build up some hype ahead of the official debut. To that end, the Blue Oval is now accepting applications from regular people to get the car a bit early... for free, including gas, insurance and concierge service for the six month duration of the program. Good deal. Of course, there are a few stipulations: users must be web savvy enough to make a short video explaining why they'd be the right person to get the keys and must agree to accept "secret assignments" from "Ford Mission Control," whatever that may mean.

Want in? Click here for the full details, and do it quick - only 100 people will be chosen from what's sure to be lots of applicants. Oh, and tell 'em Autoblog sent you.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta Sedan LIVE

[Source: Fiesta Movement]

Ford giving away 100 Fiestas for six months originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta Sedan snapped

John Neff — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Ford

Click above for gallery of high-res Ford Fiesta spy shots

The question of whether or not Ford will offer the upcoming Fiesta in the U.S. as a three- or five-door hatchback is still unanswered, but we do know that a four-door sedan version is on the way. And here it is, recently snapped by spy photographers in Dearborn, MI. Though this prototype is wearing heavy cladding, its clear that the design will stick closely to what was previewed with the Verve sedan concept. Also note the sharp forward rake of the beltline, which gives the car a very high rear trunk lid and might lead to a sense of claustrophobia for rear seat passengers who can barely see out. Nevertheless, we're ready for Ford to reenter the small car market with a bang when the production Fiesta sedan arrives sometime later next year.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta Sedan - spy shots

Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta Sedan snapped originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2009/10 Ford Fiesta

John Neff — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

click above image for more spy shots

Brenda Priddy & Co. caught a Euro Fiesta mule filling up its gas tank in North Sweden, and the car can already be seen wearing a few cues inspired by the Verve Concept that debuted in Frankfurt. First and foremost is the large front grille that punctuates the cladding this mule is wearing. This car's beltline also sweeps up dramatically from front to back, and the rear taillights are mounted on the C/D-pillar just like the Verve's. Of course, we're interested in the European Fiesta because after it debuts over there next summer as a 2009 model, it will arrive in the U.S. virtually unchanged the following year as a 2010 model. Expect both three- and five-door hatchback models to be offered, which makes the loss of those model types in the larger Focus lineup a bit easier for us to swallow.

[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Gallery: 2009/10 Ford Fiesta - spy shots

Continue reading Spy Shots: 2009/10 Ford Fiesta

Spy Shots: 2009/10 Ford Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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