When most people hear the word “fiesta”, they think immediately of a party, but to Ford lovers and enthusiasts they think of the smallest car made by Ford. Four decades ago, the first Fiesta rolled off the production line in Spain, and Henry Ford II chose the name for his links to the Mediterranean country. It quickly made the bestsellers’ list and is loved around the world.
Originally launching in 1976, the model has been through seven generations. In the 1970s there were several problems in the Middle East which led to a rise in fuel prices. This resulted in a rising demand for more economical cars. Ford then launched Project Bobcat with the aim to build a car to compete with its competitors: Fiat, Renault, and Volkswagen. By 1980, Ford had sold over a million Fiestas. From 1983 to 1989, the Ford Fiesta didn’t undergo many changes other than aesthetically. In 1989, Ford made history with the third generation Fiesta by becoming the first ever small car to be fitted with an anti-lock braking system. This generation of Fiesta had major staying power and didn’t change until 1995. Ford took a step back into the future and came out with an all-new rounder aerodynamic body and added packed electric door mirrors and windows. This became Britain’s best-selling car from 1996 to 1998 followed closely behind by Americans.
The fifth generation finally came along where a five-door version with a brand new lineup of engines was introduced. Later, Ford introduced a three-door version to keep up with the still inclining small-car market. Young adults soon sought out the Ford Fiesta, and it became a favorite among students because of its’ reliability and economic value.
Ford was well on it’s way to global domination by 2008. Fiesta’s Mk6 went into production in China, German, and Spain and by 2010 it was on sale in Europe, Asia, and North America. 2010 was also the year that eco-friendly cars were in high demand. Ford then launched the Fiesta ECOnetic, and it became the most fuel-efficient five-seater family car in the UK.
Now in 2017, the most current generation of the Fiesta is the most technologically advanced: offering a keyless start, ambient lighting, parking sensors and electric power-assist steering. The 2018 Ford Fiesta has been redesigned and is more efficient than ever, but don’t get your hopes up: It’s not coming to the US. The previous model was a global Ford product, and now we are only targeting Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In North America, the demand for smaller, economical cars has been on the decline, and Ford is reacting accordingly. We hope your heart isn’t too broken: Lamarque Ford still has a great selection of Ford Fiestas for sale. If you are looking for an economical, modest, reliable car with a sleek design, come to Lamarque Ford!