Ford unveiled the Ford Fiesta sedan at the Guangzhou Auto Show today.
The Fiesta sedan is going to be sold here in the U.S. and will be built at Ford's plant in Mexico alongside the 3 and 5-door versions of the Fiesta.
Ford claims that the Fiesta sedan will not be available in Europe.
Related Stories:
Ford Confirms Fiesta Hatchback for the US in 2010
PRESS RELEASE:
Ford Stages Global Reveal of All-New Fiesta Sedan in China
* All-new Fiesta sedan features Ford's signature kinetic design language; its exterior clearly inspired by the Verve Concept notchback revealed last year at the Guangzhou Auto Show
* Sedan version of all-new Fiesta developed specifically for China with key feature inputs taken from local market research
* China to be a significant market for all-new Fiesta sedan, as Ford confirms its leadership with the fuel-efficient, sophisticated small car
* Production of all-new Fiesta sedan will begin Q1 2009 at new, state-of-the-art facility in Nanjing, China
GUANGZHOU, China, November 18, 2008 – Ford today staged the global reveal of its all-new Fiesta four-door sedan at the Guangzhou Auto Show, delivering in full on the bold promise made by the Verve Concept notchback last year.Ford Fiesta Sedan
The dynamic all-new Fiesta sedan features Ford's signature kinetic design elements – introduced to China first on the exciting Fiesta five-door hatchback at Auto China in Beijing in April – demonstrating the versatility of this unique design language and its consumer appeal in important global markets.
"We set out to design a truly exciting, desirable small car that exceeds all expectations. Today, we are keeping our promise that was made with the Verve Concept notchback last year," said Chelsia Lau, chief designer of China/ASEAN Programs, Ford Motor Company. "The all-new Fiesta sedan is sleek and contemporary. The interpretation of kinetic design on the four-door body has given the Fiesta sedan an independent identity while retaining the emotional appeal of its five-door sibling. "
The Ford Fiesta sedan will be launched in China within months of its global reveal. It will be built at Ford's new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nanjing.
"This Fiesta writes the next chapter in our small car success story and builds on the widespread appeal of the Ford brand in China. Style-aware Chinese consumers will appreciate the uniqueness of this car that expresses their individuality, style and aspirations," said Robert Graziano, president and CEO, Ford Motor China.
The Fiesta sedan will be manufactured in China using the same advanced technologies as does its European counterpart. The body structure is manufactured with extensive use of high- and ultra high-strength steels to significantly increase strength and rigidity, while also reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency. These advanced steels also provide Fiesta with an increased measure of occupant protection.
The Ford Fiesta revealed today has been tailored to satisfy customer wants in China. Carrying out Fiesta's global strategy, additional variations of the all-new Fiesta sedan will be available across Asia and North America from 2010 with production from Thailand and Mexico supplying these important markets. However, Fiesta sedan will not be distributed in Europe.
"Launching the all-new Fiesta sedan to the world in China signals the importance of China and the Asian region in Ford's global strategy, " said John Parker, executive vice president, Asia Pacific and Africa, Ford Motor Company. "This is a sophisticated small car. Design combines with advanced technology to deliver very high levels of refinement, safety and class-leading fuel efficiency. This new Fiesta proves Ford's leadership in small car design and development. "
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Comments (11)
I bet it won't be available in Europe, cause it looks like crap.
Toyota called they said good luck with that, cause our Echo bombed too.
Really? Not that I like Ford, but I thought they (of all the 3) at least had a reasonable plan. Something they might could actually pull off. And then they bring out this...
This reminds me of the original Fiesta's, which isn't a good thing.
No bailout for you.
Posted by Brian | November 18, 2008 6:24 PM
Posted on November 18, 2008 18:24
To Brian:
Interesting, I thought it looked pretty good actually.
Posted by upL8N8 | November 18, 2008 6:45 PM
Posted on November 18, 2008 18:45
Brian
This is the care that there have been rave reviews about worldwide as there is little change from the prototype. I would think it's going to do as well as the fit and yaris.
They probably won't sell the sedan in europe because it won't sell in europe. People interested in these cars are probably going to be looking more at maximizing utility... which means hatches.....
T
Posted by teldar | November 18, 2008 6:56 PM
Posted on November 18, 2008 18:56
Hopefully they won't bring that ugly thing to Australia either. The hatch looks so much better.
Proabably won't since hatches is the in thing here these days for there versatility and economy.
Posted by Luke K | November 19, 2008 12:24 AM
Posted on November 19, 2008 00:24
funny how Ford threats the US as a province of China....
And by the way, its a sedan in China because Chinese like sedans.
Kind-off a developping taste: sedans look like expensive cars that in the past, only rich people could afford.
Completely different in the USA. These small cars are in-city driving. Who needs a sedan in the city? Bad, very bad consumer-insight management from Ford. They probably asked the poor-people for their opinion. Well, what do you expect...
My opinion: it looks like i pig with a fat ass, maybe that why it should do well in the US.
Posted by Alan Greenspam | November 19, 2008 2:05 AM
Posted on November 19, 2008 02:05
The car looks fine to me too. I'm no fan of the big three, but when they tend to do something right they should get some credit. There are too many here that just like to slam them. If the same car had a Toyota or Honda nameplate on it they'd be touting the car. Grow Up! I have three Japanese cars so I think I can be a little objective on this matter. When I see a car with decent styling I don't car who makes it. Bravo Ford! Nice car.
Posted by John Campi | November 19, 2008 4:33 AM
Posted on November 19, 2008 04:33
Well, no since I slammed on the Echo I don't give a care who makes it...
It has to many lines, the wheels appear to small for the body, and I think it would have poor rear visibility (but that might just be the angle of the rear picture).
If this was scaled up, and the hood line changed, and rear made into a hatch you'd have a pretty decent suv/cuv.
Anyone have the number of Fit's/Yaris sold vs. Civic/Corolla? In my area I don't see many of the subcompact vs. the compact.
Posted by Brian | November 19, 2008 6:58 AM
Posted on November 19, 2008 06:58
"the U.S. will get it in 2010".......if Ford lives that long.
Posted by 426Hemi | November 19, 2008 9:44 AM
Posted on November 19, 2008 09:44
I love the 2 door fiesta, the sedan is kinda ugly though (especially in beige, nothing looks good in beige).
Posted by gm0n3y | November 19, 2008 2:11 PM
Posted on November 19, 2008 14:11
I like... but bigger wheels and lower body molding (or drop it) would help. And got to agree, why show off a new model in beige? find a sleekier color to make it stand out.
Posted by 5thgear | November 19, 2008 3:31 PM
Posted on November 19, 2008 15:31
If this is like the Focus when it was originally introduced, it should sell well.
This car will give Ford a decent sedan lineup to compete with Toyota, and honestly Ford is the only company that has a chance of reclaiming former pre-import glory.
Hopefully they offer it with a 1.8L in the US.
Its really sad though, that this car will be built in Mexico just like the Fusion. I guess Ford can't afford the high labor costs the UAW charges...
Posted by Bob the Builder | November 24, 2008 7:50 AM
Posted on November 24, 2008 07:50