Today's post is about one of the most successful global cars produced with over 10 million sold.....the Ford Fiesta. The Ford Fiesta is a small front wheel drive super mini car designed by the Ford Motor Company. The Fiesta is build in Europe, and seven other countries and marketed thru out the world. The Fiesta has not been sold in the U.S. until the 2011 model is introduced to the U.S.
Ford is currently the small car leader in Europe and the automaker’s design studios developed the next generation Fiesta in concept is called the Verve sedan and hatchback.
Ford has been producing the European designed Fiesta for a number of years...the current version is very popular in Europe. So, they are finally bringing the Fiesta to the U.S. Ford is changing production at it's Cuautitlan, Mexico, plant from assembling Ford F-150 pickups. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2010.
Ford has a made a corporate decision to focus on manufacturing small cars rather than pickups and SUV's. Many auto writers have complained over the years that Detroit had virtually ignored the car market to focus on pickups and SUV's....the danger being that if energy prices skyrocketed it would substantially expose the auto companies financial health. The energy crisis of last summer emphasied that Detroit's strategy was foolhardy and extremely subject to fluctuations in the price of fuel.The sedan was always a given for this market, but the automaker was gauging public reaction to different body styles of the Verve concepts shown at past auto shows to determine interest in the five-door hatch—the three-door hatch shown will probably not be produced for the U.S.
We also waiting on the details on the powertrain, which has been described only as a fuel-efficient four-cylinder of undisclosed displacement and performance. Pricing has not been announced but it is thought that the Fiesta will be priced with the Ford Focus.
Ford also says it is adding a new diesel engine line at its Chihuahua engine plant in Mexico that already makes inline-four-cylinder gasoline engines. The diesels will be used in light and medium-duty trucks globally, including Ford’s first diesel application for the 2010 F-150.
SUMMARY:
The Fiesta is a high end small car which is very popular in Europe. The question is that are Americans going to pay a higher price for a quality small car. It may take a while to catch on but my thought is that they will.
Currently, Americans pay a premium for a BMW, Audi or Mercedes small cars...which are luxury autos. My thought is that as gasoline prices increase....this will not only be a highly successful small car but highly regarded.
