Autoblog

Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:28:00 EST

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

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

Ford finally unveiled the U.S. version of its B-Segment Fiesta yesterday at the LA Auto Show, and thanks to some clever marketing, the Blue Oval's newest small car is already well-known to prospective buyers. Ford's ingenious "Fiesta Movement" marketing initiative, which put 100 Euro-spec subcompacts in the hands of socially advanced "agents," resulted in over six million YouTube views, 740,000 Flickr views and 3.7 million Twitter impressions. All that traffic has apparently resulted in a 60-percent vehicle recognition score in Ford's survey findings - a number that would be good for a vehicle that has already been on the market a few years.

The first Fiesta Movement was created to get the Fiesta in front of the car-buying public while engaging in customer-driven dialog. Connie Fontaine, Ford brand content and alliances manager, says that wave two will focus on "driving unparalleled consideration." In other words, Ford wants customers to be excited to buy a new Fiesta. Given the fact that Ford generated 80,000 "hand-raisers" with Fiesta Movement number one, another group of Fiesta agents probably isn't a bad idea.

Ford is looking now for 20 teams of agents to participate in getting the word out about its new small car. Interested parties can apply via video on fiestamovement.com between now and January 31. Round two begins in mid-February. Winning contestants will need to be "socially vibrant" and "in-tune with the latest happenings in their neighborhood." Winners will be chosen based on public reaction to their video presentations... though it probably wouldn't hurt to look young and Millenialish. Hit the jump to check out Ford's official press release.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2

Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

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

Surprisingly, Ford decided to slip out U.S. pricing for its hotly anticipated 2011 Fiesta with no fanfare at all. No major announcements at the LA Auto Show, no wordy press releases... nothing. But, if you head on over to Ford's official page for the new Fiesta, you'll see that it starts at $13,320 (plus a $675 destination charge).

Even better, the full Build and Price section is available, meaning you can see each and every individual option and its price. We went ahead and spent some time perusing the options list, and we see that the low base price is for the base S model, which comes exclusively in sedan form. The least expensive hatchback model is $15,120 (about $800 more than a comparably-equipped sedan).

Step up to a hatchback with Ford's new six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and you're looking at $16,190, and the uprated SES hatchback starts at $17,120 ($18,190 with the auto). Click past the jump for more interesting little tidbits that we noticed when pricing out our own Fiestas, including what Ford is offering for reserving one early.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Continue reading 2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early

2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Ford shows off some Fiesta possibilities

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta by Ford Custom Accessories - Click above for high-res image gallery

While introducing the folks at the LA Auto Show to the American-market 2011 Ford Fiesta, Ford decided to go a step further. They didn't just show the production sedan and hatchback, they also showed off the possibilities the platform presents as well. They had four customized Fiestas on display, done up by companies like H&R, 3dCarbon, FSWerks, and Steeda, as well as Ford's in-house Racing and Custom Accessories team. And just for good measure, they also brought along that wicked Kenny Brack X-Games Rally Fiesta as well.

There's a full press release after the jump, but here is a brief summary of the four featured vehicles:

Black Fiesta:

This car was put together by Ford Racing and Steeda Autosports. It features Steeda's cold air intake, a Borla/Ford Racing Performance cat-back exhaust system, Steeda/Ford Racing suspension upgrades, Ford Racing multi-spoke Euro wheels and Brembo anchors.

Blue Fiesta:

The blue car was built by H&R Special Springs. Naturally, it received some suspension tuning with an H&R Street Performance monotube coil-over kit and a set of spiffy 18-inch OZ SuperTurismo GT wheels. It's also the beneficiary of some Euro reverse-engineering via "Sticky Jewell custom graphics, custom Euro hood vents, stealthy blacked-out headlamps and a Ford Custom Accessories upper rear hatch spoiler."

White Fiesta:

The white Fiesta (above) features Ford Custom Accessories, so it ought to be the easiest model the Average Joe to copy. Nearly every styling element can be purchased from the Ford Custom Accessories, Ford Licensed Accessories or Ford Racing Performance Parts catalogs. And get used to those graphics, because Ford has taken this opportunity to add a whole new line of them for the Fiesta. You can see the whole collection at fordfiestagraphics.com.

Red Fiesta:

Last, but certainly not least, is the red Fiesta by 3dCarbon and FSWerks. It's the only one of the four that has some serious rejiggering underhood. It features an FSWerks Stage 2 intercooled turbo kit and 2.25-inch exhaust system. It also sports a 3dCarbon body kit with an "aggressive front air dam, aerodynamic side skirts and rear lower accent trim."

We'd probably mix and match among these mods, perhaps the H&R suspension, the Brembos from the Steeda car, the OZ wheels and that FSWerks turbo setup. Or maybe we'd just take Brack's car. Check out the gallery by clicking below and more details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta Customs

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford shows off some Fiesta possibilities

LA 2009: Ford shows off some Fiesta possibilities originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled by agents of the Movement

Drew Phillips — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

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

We've been hearing about the 2011 Ford Fiesta for so long that it's hard to imagine that the U.S. version of the car was just officially unveiled today. We gave you all of the official details and photos late last night, but we can now give you our first live impressions of the North American-spec version. Ford's own Mark Fields officially introduced the car along with numerous Fiesta agents on hand who helped pull the sheets off the various Fiestas on the show floor.

Although just 60 percent of the parts on the U.S.-spec Fiesta are common with the European version, it seems that most of the charm of the car remains. Up front the grille has been revised to include the three-bar design (at least on the sedan), and the fog lights have been replaced by LED light strips surrounded by chrome. The interior design is relatively the same as well, although it's been tweaked to conform with U.S. crash standards and features soft touch materials, a four-inch LCD display, and available SYNC, auto climate control, leather seats, moon roof and more. Power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder putting out a respectable 119 horsepower and 109 lb-ft torque. A 5-speed manual or new 6-speed PowerShift electronic dual clutch automatic will be the transmissions of choice, though the automatic goes without any manual controls.

There's plenty of more details in the multitude of press releases after the jump, and we've included all of our live shots of the 2011 Fiesta in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Continue reading LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled by agents of the Movement

LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled by agents of the Movement originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg

Chris Shunk — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

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

The Ford Fiesta has proven to be a very successful small car wherever it's sold in the world. Ford has sold 12 million Fiestas over the vehicle's lifetime and the new-for-2009 model has moved half a million units already this year in Europe and Asia. It's a smash hit in spite of the fact that the Fiesta is not for sale in the U.S., a.k.a. the world's biggest car market. That all changes in the spring of 2010 as the Fiesta finally makes its way stateside.

Ford appears to be focusing its efforts in the U.S. small car market at exactly the right time, as consideration for B-Segment vehicles is at an all-time high and the trend appears to be upwardly mobile. And while Ford would love for us to believe that it was clairvoyant when deciding to bring the Fiesta to the U.S., it just isn't true. In fact, the Fiesta wasn't originally designed for the U.S. market, but the shock of $4 per gallon gas and a new-found interest in eco-friendly transportation led the Blue Oval to rethink its strategy. Ford didn't start readying the Fiesta for the U.S. market until many bits and bolts of hardware were already settled, so Team Blue had to go back to the drawing board to make its small car ready for Americans. The result is a U.S.-spec Fiesta that has only 60% of its parts in common with the Euro Fiesta. Will Americans be missing out? Follow the jump for everything you need to know about the Fiesta.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Continue reading LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg

LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #155 - 'Twas the night before the LA Auto Show...

Dan Roth — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Audi, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Mazda, Nissan

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

With the LA Auto Show near at hand, Chris, Dan, and Editor Extraordinaire Paukert sat down and talked over some of the latest for Episode #155 of the Autoblog Podcast. First up is the surprisingly thorough re-rework of the Mustang, before we move on to talk about the early release of U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta pictures. Gazing at photos brings us to the Chevrolet Cruze, which has also been lensed in North American garb. The Chinese-market Buick Excelle is rumored as a possibility for our market, and we scratch our heads about that for a while. Toyota's handling of its gas pedal recall and Nissan's low-priced and well-integrated navigation unit wraps it up before we move on to some of your questions. Right before signing off, we jump back to talk briefly about the newly unveiled Audi A8 and Saab's sad fortunes. At one hour, 50 minutes, it's an epic. We blame Paukert.

If you get bored once the new Autoblog Podcast bliss has worn off, check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #155 - 'Twas the night before the LA Auto Show...

Autoblog Podcast #155 - 'Twas the night before the LA Auto Show... originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

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

The Fiesta Movement, Ford's campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year and will end this week during the LA Auto Show with, what else, a party. Oh, and the official unveiling of the 2011 North American version. We got a sneak peek of the Fiesta earlier today that it now seems was incorrect, based on these new pictures found buried on Ford's website.

The U.S.-style three-bar grille is thankfully not present in these official pics, though the hatch and sedan do wear different grilles (we like the hatch's version better, for what it's worth). The rest of the car remains as good-looking as the Euro-spec version ever did, and the interior will be a big draw for this car - along with solid MPG numbers, of course. For those of you who hoped Ford would bring the Fiesta over from Europe pretty much intact, it appears your wishes have been granted. We'll have all the details from LA right soon.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan

[Source: Ford]

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Fiesta unveiled early by Ford Canada?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Canada

2011 Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec - Click above for image gallery

Did our friends in the great, frostbitten north just jump the gun by half a week and reveal the 2011 North American Ford Fiesta ahead of its upcoming LA Auto Show debut? Boy we kinda hope not. Well, specifically, we hope the the little five-door fire cracker we've come to know and love (largely thanks to the well-executed Fiesta Movement) doesn't get this new grille. It's by no means a deal breaker, but it's just not as uncluttered and sharp looking as the Euro-Fiesta's simple face. Meanwhile, the Fiesta sedan gets FoMoCo's three-bar grille up front, and resembles a Yaris sedan everywhere else.

There are also some enormous chrome scoops/intakes fore of the front wheels where the fog lamps on the Euro cars used to reside. Purpose? No idea, but we have to imagine that fog lamps would have served a more purposeful purpose. We have to say that we hope the loss of the fog lamps isn't an indication that the Fiesta is getting decontented for our market.

One of the reasons (admittedly of many) that we fell so head over heals for the Fiesta is that it provided big car sophistication in a little car package. American car companies have for decades been of the mind set that if you opt to buy a small car, you should suffer (quite literally) the consequences. The Fiesta looked to be a break from that mentality. Hopefully it still is.

There is a weird sliver of history that provides a silver lining. There is a longstanding tradition of releasing slightly different models in Canada than we get here in the U.S. This always struck us as weird since half of Quebec runs across the border to buy cigarettes in Vermont every week. Anyhow, remember the Pontiac Parisienne - a Chevy badged as a Pontiac with fancy seats that helped make Pontiac the number three selling brand in Canada for decades. Here's hoping we get the full Euro-Fiesta south of the 49th Parallel.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec

[Source: Autoblog Espanol via Google Translate]

U.S. Fiesta unveiled early by Ford Canada? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford and M-Sport officially unveil Fiesta S2000 rally car [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car - click above for high-res image gallery

Ford Motor Company and noted rally masters M-Sport have pulled the veil off their latest collaborative rally machine, the Fiesta S2000. It's their first global rally car, and as such will be able to compete in a whole bevy of international competitions ranging from IRC to the S2000 World Cup to Aatos and Aamu's Finnish Tree Bash. Long story short, going by past history alone, this should be one bruiser of a successful rally car.

Right, so let's talk stats. The Fiesta S2000 comes with a naturally aspirated 1998cc I4 Duratec S2000 engine good for 280 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of twisting torque all the while spinning to an 8,000 rpm redline. That mill gets mated to a permanent all-wheel drive system hooked up to a sequential manual transmission with an AP clutch. Sizable Brembos are at all four corners (and like the wheels, vary in size depending on asphalt or gravel). Ready for the best part? It weighs just 2,640 pounds - and that's with the roll cage. And get this - the Fiesta S2000 is "due for homologation in January 2010." Fake, well-produced "spy video" after the jump, gigantic high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Ford and M-Sport Fiesta S2000 rally car

[Source: FiestaS2000.com via 0-60mag.com]

Continue reading Ford and M-Sport officially unveil Fiesta S2000 rally car [w/VIDEO]

Ford and M-Sport officially unveil Fiesta S2000 rally car [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 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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REPORT: Ford's Euro sales crest 10% for the first time in 8 years

Chris Shunk — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, Ford, Earnings/Financials

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

New products, improved quality and a surge in public perception have helped Ford buttress its sales numbers here in the U.S., but the Dearborn-based automaker also has a good story to tell across the Pond. According to The Detroit News, Ford managed to grab 10.1% of Europe's overall market share in September - the first time since September of 2001 that the Blue Oval has touched double digits. Ford sold 155,000 vehicles in September in Europe's 19 biggest markets, up 12.3% versus September 2008. Ford has now beaten year-over-year sales totals for four straight months.

One vehicle that has gone a long way towards getting the Blue Oval over the 10% milestone is the new Fiesta, as the popular B-Segment vehicle achieved its highest September sales in 15 years. While Ford's overall market share benefited from the quality of its product lineup, the increased volume during the month of September also came in part courtesy of Cash for Clunkers-like scrap programs in several European nations. Many of those programs have recently ended or are being phased out, though, which worries Ford for the short term. Ford of Europe VP Ingvar Sviggum told the DetNews that the health of the market still pretty shaky, adding "It is clear that there is still a need for government intervention in Europe to help bolster the market until demand reaches a more sustainable level."

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Ford's Euro sales crest 10% for the first time in 8 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta to debut at LA Auto Show

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

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]

Continue reading U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta to debut at LA Auto Show

U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: First images of Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car - Click above for high-res image gallery

CAR has just published what are believed to be the first pictures of the new Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car. With a few extra mods, it's set to take on all comers as Ford's 2011 WRC contender as well. It makes sense, because Ford has already confirmed (along with Citroen) that plan to enter both classes and they've confirmed that the Fiesta is the car they plan to run.

S2000 cars run naturally aspirated engines generating about 270 horsepower, while WRC cars can be turbocharged and run with tweaked bodywork.

The pics were shot during a shakedown run in Cumbria, England. According to CAR, a second car should be ready by the end of October with full homologation starting in January 2010. M-Sport is once again behind the build for Ford which reportedly took just six months this time around.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car

[Source: CAR]

Spy Shots: First images of Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line pits Ford Fiesta against Honda Fit in small car scrap

Chris Shunk — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Ford, Honda

If you're looking for a practical, fuel efficient subcompact, you've got a few options, and the Honda Fit remains a top pick for many. The five-door hatchback packs plenty of volume, while also providing just enough punch to deliver smiles on the open road.

Doubtlessly jealously eying the Fit's success, Ford officials are counting down the months until they can finally provide some competition in the form of their 2011 Fiesta - but does it have the goods to knock the Fit from atop the subcompact mountain?

The crew at Inside Line wanted to answer that question and brought the Fit face-to-face against a European-spec Fiesta in a battle for B-Segment superiority. The Fit came in for praise for its masterfully engineered interior and massive cargo area, while the Fiesta was lauded for its superb driving dynamics and higher end materials. Which subcompact all-star came out on top in the battle of the (little) bulge? Head over to Inside Line to find out.

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

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport

[Source: Inside Line | Image Source: Kevin Wing]

Inside Line pits Ford Fiesta against Honda Fit in small car scrap originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Mazda2 coming to the U.S.

John Neff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford, Mazda

Mazda2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

This just in: that fantabulous little Mazda we've admired from afar for the past couple years, the Mazda2 (also known as the Demio in Japan), is coming to all of North America, the U.S. included. President and CEO of Mazda's North American Operations Jim O'Sullivan has just told the automaker's top dealers that the diminutive Mazda, which shares its platform with the also incoming Ford Fiesta, will go on sale in the U.S. around the end of 2010. That's just about the same time that the Mazda2 will go on sale in Canada, as well.

O'Sullivan cites the changing tastes and attitudes of consumers towards smaller cars as shifting the business case in favor of selling the Mazda2 here in the States below. While no other information was given, dealers were told they can expect to see the North American-spec Mazda2 debut later this year at the 2009 LA Auto Show.

What this means for Ford and the similar-in-almost-every-way-but-styling Fiesta remains to be seen. Knowing that the Mazda2 is on its way, would you reconsider buying a Fiesta in favor of test driving the same thing with a little extra Zoom Zoom?

Gallery: 2007 Mazda2

[Source: Mazda via Mike Spinelli, auto123]

BREAKING: Mazda2 coming to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford confirms two colors for 2011 Fiesta

John Neff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

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 ~~we're fairly certain that all~~ nearly 80 percent of the 100 Fiesta Movements cars being driven around the country for months now are wearing one or the other. In fact, we're now more interested in what the 2011 Fiesta will look like in boring, old white, black and silver.

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

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford confirms two colors for 2011 Fiesta

Ford confirms two colors for 2011 Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Humor

Ford Fiesta ad from veryfunnyads.com - Click above to watch after the break

Good news, boys and girls: It's time for another Funny Car Commercial of the Day! Last time, we laughed at an ad from Norsk Hydro of Norway that proves how much fun engineering can be as a career choice. Today, we change gears a bit and look at what goes into styling a sexy German-designed automobile.

All right, fine... so the previous-generation Ford Fiesta may not be the sexiest automobile ever to roll out of a German design studio, but this commercial, which first aired on Austrian television sets in 2006, grabbed our attention nonetheless. Click past the break to watch the video (warning: video autoplays) and be sure to check out veryfunnyads.com for more gut busters.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta sedan spotted in Mexico with plug, but it's not an EV!

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Ford, Electric

With the new North American market Ford Fiesta set to launch production in Mexico in just a few months, it's no surprise that someone has spotted one running around near Mexico City. In this case, the car that was seen is the sedan version that is likely to comprise the majority of U.S. sales. Automovil, which got a hold of these pics and saw an electric cord sticking out of the lower grille, is speculating that this is an electrified version of the Fiesta, going so far as to claim that it was operating silently. On this point, however, Ford has never given any indication that it is working on an electric Fiesta - its upcoming electric passenger car is based on the new Focus platform.

We checked with Ford spokespeople Alan Hall and Jennifer Moore (who specifically work on sustainability communications) and both told us that there is no work ongoing on an electric Fiesta. Since the plug appears to be a standard 110V three prong unit, this is almost certainly just a block heater. While a heater wouldn't be needed in the sunny summer locale in Mexico, this prototype has likely seen service in cold weather regions at other times.

As for the reported silence, Ford has said almost all of its cars will have automatic start-stop capability within the next few years and the Fiesta is expected to be one of the first so equipped. Thanks to Francisco for the tip!

[Source: Automovil]

Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta sedan spotted in Mexico with plug, but it's not an EV! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Priceless 1989 Ford dealer training films offer timeless amusement

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Videos, Ford, Humor

1989 Ford dealer training clip - click above image to watch the videos

Y'all remember Robocop? You know, the really excellent Eighties action masterpiece about a shot-to-hell cop that comes back as a bulletproof robot to rid Detroit of über baddies like the ruthless Clarence Boddiker and super villain Dick Jones? Well, what you may not remember about Paul Verhoeven's 1987 masterpiece is all the social satire. From the 6000 SUX (8 mpg!) to the slaps at very privatized health care (Jensen Sport model heart!) to the Nuke 'Em family home game, the satire was rich and sardonic.

But where did Verhoeven get the fodder for his gags? Dunno, but it's been said that 49% of the population doesn't get sarcasm. Which explains how these 1989 Ford dealer training ads got made. Someone at Ford saw Robocop and said, "Yes! That's the medium we've been looking for." Don't believe us? Make the jump and watch two of them (one on the Festiva and Escort, and another on the Crown Victoria) for yourself.

[Source: YouTube via Michael Banovsky]

Continue reading VIDEO: Priceless 1989 Ford dealer training films offer timeless amusement

VIDEO: Priceless 1989 Ford dealer training films offer timeless amusement originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: No, the 2011 Ford Fiesta will NOT blend

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Humor

Click above to watch the video after the break

Just like any other self-respecting car enthusiast, there's one question in particular that's been burning our minds ever since we first laid eyes on the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta: Will it blend? The answer, surprisingly enough, is no - due to its high-strength boron steel construction, the Fiesta will NOT blend. Definitive proof of such can be seen in the video pasted after the break.

Now that you've watched the video, perhaps a more poignant question is whether or not the stupid-popular Will It Blend series of videos has officially jumped the shark now that it's totally gone corporate promoting products for the Blue Oval. In any case, perhaps a new set of boron steel blades for the Blendtec Total Blender would take care of the non-blended problem.

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

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: No, the 2011 Ford Fiesta will NOT blend

VIDEO: No, the 2011 Ford Fiesta will NOT blend originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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