Cologne, Germany, February 15, 2008 – Ford’s dynamic new-generation small car will be badged Fiesta around the world, the company confirmed today.
With Fiesta, Ford continues to honour a name which has more than 30 years of success in Europe and is well known in markets across Asia, Australia and South America.
Designed and developed in Europe for sale in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas between 2008 and 2010, the all-new Ford Fiesta is the first major product of Ford’s new global product development process.
“With the all-new Fiesta, we want to create a world standard for small car quality, design and comfort in a vehicle that is as exciting to drive as it is to look at. We believe this all-new model will attract a whole new generation of small car buyers, whether they are in Britain, Spain, China or California,” said Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company President and CEO. “The new Ford Fiesta will set the standard for delivering to our customers products they really want and value while taking advantage of our wonderful global resources.”
Ford previewed the dynamic new design for this global family of small cars in three Ford Verve Concept vehicles. The three-door Verve Concept hatchback was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007; the four-door Verve Concept notchback was revealed at the Guangzhou Motor Show in November 2007; and a second four-door Verve Concept notchback was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008.
The all-new Ford Fiesta brings the dynamic Verve Concept exterior and interior styling to production, proving that small cars can be stylish, sophisticated and emotional. Ford design and engineering teams rejected the notion that an affordable small car has to be basic or boring.
In Europe, the all-new Ford Fiesta will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will reach showrooms from autumn 2008 in three- and five-door hatchback body styles. By 2010, the all-new Fiesta will be available in markets across Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Americas in a variety of regionally tailored models from a common platform.
All-new Ford Fiesta makes major strides in small car craftsmanship, quality of materials and product choice while continuing to represent traditional strengths of practicality, value for money, agility and safety. It also introduces several big-car features to the small-car segment for the first time.
Acclaimed driving quality has been a consistent Fiesta strength throughout its life, and the all-new Fiesta upholds this reputation. Ford’s chassis engineers have enhanced Fiesta’s ride comfort while also isolating the cabin from road, wind and powertrain noise. The all-new Ford Fiesta is impressively quiet to drive.
While many of its competitors in the small-car segment have grown bigger and heavier, the all-new Ford Fiesta stands on virtually the same footprint as did its predecessor. The new-generation Fiesta is actually lighter which is beneficial to fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
Fiesta for a New Generation
From its introduction in 1976, the Ford Fiesta has proven popular with more than 12 million units sold. While Fiesta’s styling has moved with the times and fashions over the years, it remains steadfastly principled in offering economical, practical and dependable transportation to people of all ages.
Starting in the early 1970s, the Fiesta project became a personal mission of Ford’s Chairman, Henry Ford II. A passionate believer in small cars, Mr. Ford rallied his company to the mission of creating a new model. He was personally involved in every step of the long process which included naming the new model. Mr. Ford selected the Fiesta name from a short list of five.
“We’re proud of what the Fiesta has achieved since its original launch in 1976,” said John Fleming, Ford of Europe’s President and CEO. “Ford has a clear vision that small cars should excel in dynamics, quality, features and safety. That’s the philosophy that has guided the development of this, the most sophisticated Fiesta ever, as well as the new Focus and Mondeo.”
