Ford announces American Fiesta production, adds BOTH hatchback models

[igor]

FORD FIESTA PRODUCTION TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2010; EUROPEAN HATCHBACK ADDED FOR NORTH AMERICA


* Ford Fiesta for North American customers will be produced at Ford’s Cuautitlán Assembly Plant beginning in early 2010

* Sporty European hatchback model added for North America, alongside popular sedan

* Cuautitlán Assembly Plant transformed from large-truck to small-car production as part of Ford’s manufacturing realignment and investment in smaller, fuel efficient vehicles

* New diesel engine line at Chihuahua Engine Plant and a new joint venture transmission plant with Getrag in Guanajuato also planned

MORE: http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=28337

[igor]

AutoNews Coverage:
-both 3door and 5door models added.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...t=emailblast01

Ford expands Fiesta lineup for North America


New vehicles part of $3 billion Mexican investment

Richard Truett
Automotive News
May 30, 2008 - 1:11 pm ET

Ford Motor Co. has added two additional body styles for the upcoming North American launch of the Fiesta small car.
The first is a three-door hatchback and it will be the entry level model. It will be sold alongside the Fiesta sedan. The other is a five-door European sport hatchback, according to a Ford spokesman in Mexico.
Ford confirmed today that it will build the Fiesta line at its Cuautitlan, Mexico, plant starting in early 2010 as part of $3 billion investment in the country.
The Fiesta will give Ford two strong highly fuel efficient competitors against such cars the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa. The Fiesta nameplate is one of Ford's best known global small cars. It was last used on a North American vehicle in 1981.
"Ford is absolutely committed to leveraging our global assets to accelerate the shift to more fuel-efficient small cars and powertrain technologies that people really want and value," Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement.
$3 billion investment in Mexico
Ford said the Cuautitlan plant will be transformed from making F-Series pickups for the Mexican market to small cars for all of North America.
The changes at the plant near Mexico City begin this year, as the plant is converted from its current production of F-Series pickups for the Mexican market to small cars for all of North America.
The automaker also said its Chihuahua Engine Plant, which builds I-4 engines, will make diesel engines for light- and medium-duty trucks in global markets. Ford further will build a transmission plant in Guanajuato as part of a joint venture with German supplier Getrag.
All told, Ford's plan will create 4,500 new jobs, the company said.
Ford added that after the changes are made, pickup trucks for the Mexican market will be imported from U.S. plants.

Stephen Downer contributed to this report

MORE AT LINK: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...t=emailblast01


Igor

[ds91776]

This is great news about the hatchbacks, especially the 5 door, which should account for quite a bit of sales I would think. I hope/expect they will do the same thing for the 2011 Focus, bring the sedan, 3-5 door hatches and use the C-Max to replace the wagon/serve as an inexpensive crossover.

I am glad that it is being built in Mexico instead of Brazil (no offense) since I expect the Fiesta crossover (the european fusion) will be built there as the EcoSport is now. I hope/expect that product will come to US/Canada as well...hopefully called Faction.

The press release states that production will begin in 2010, so that means that the Fiesta will be a 2011 model? Or is it going to be like the 08 Escape and 2010 Fusion and come out really early in the 2010 model year (about january) and so be called a 2011 model, or is Ford using the model year designation and it will be a 2010 model to begin being sold in Fall of 2009?

[igor]

^^ No they are talking about Calendar year - the production will probably begin February 2010 as a 2011 model - that is a delay compared to earlier plans, but oh well ... they are basically rebuilding the Cuatitlan plant.

Igor

[ds91776]

that's what I figured, drat. It would have been great to see the Fiesta for next fall but I guess the thing is only a year and a half a away... I guess we will see the production version at LA.

Igor, do you have any inclings about the 2010 model intro timeline? For 2010 we have Mustang, Taurus, MKT, Edge update, Expedition update, MKX update and Navigator update as well as the early launch 2010 Fusion, Milan, and MKZ. I would guess that the Taurus would debut at NAIAS and they may wait for New York for the Edge and Expedition and use Chicago for the Mercury and Lincoln introductions. I have herad rumors that the 2010 Mustang will be at LA in November to avoid the Camaro intro in NAIAS. Any thoughts on this?

PS: I would bet my bottom dollar we will see a F-100 concept at this year's NAIAS as well as a concept previewing another production model....what could it be? A styling excerise for the 2012/13 Fusion?

[E. Haskell]

FINALLY Ford will have something I'd like to own....the 3-door Fiesta hatch.

If it's priced under $15k, fun to drive and gets 29+/37+ MPG....it'll do well.

[prowlerjc]

Great news about the hatches! Too bad about the timeline slipping...

[ausrutherford]

Originally Posted by ds91776

that's what I figured, drat. It would have been great to see the Fiesta for next fall but I guess the thing is only a year and a half a away... I guess we will see the production version at LA.

Igor, do you have any inclings about the 2010 model intro timeline? For 2010 we have Mustang, Taurus, MKT, Edge update, Expedition update, MKX update and Navigator update as well as the early launch 2010 Fusion, Milan, and MKZ. I would guess that the Taurus would debut at NAIAS and they may wait for New York for the Edge and Expedition and use Chicago for the Mercury and Lincoln introductions. I have herad rumors that the 2010 Mustang will be at LA in November to avoid the Camaro intro in NAIAS. Any thoughts on this?

PS: I would bet my bottom dollar we will see a F-100 concept at this year's NAIAS as well as a concept previewing another production model....what could it be? A styling excerise for the 2012/13 Fusion?

I agree that they might do a F-100 concept but im quessing that a Focus concept will come out at Paris and then we will get ours at Detriot or a sub comapt crossover concept.

[johnstarnes]

I am glad they listened! But bummer the long wait.

[HoosierRon]

Shouldn't the title to this thread be "Ford announces Mexican Fiesta production"?

[Extreme4x4]

No, because Mexico is where the US model is being built.

Now, that kind of sounds like a jab at Ford, for building it in Mexico............ am I wrong??

[big swede]

Originally Posted by Extreme4x4

No, because Mexico is where the US model is being built.

Now, that kind of sounds like a jab at Ford, for building it in Mexico............ am I wrong??

Come on Mexican Fiesta is funny.

[BrickTamland]

Originally Posted by big swede

Come on Mexican Fiesta is funny.

Yes, it makes it sound like they are having a party at the Fusion plant.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

Yes, it makes it sound like they are having a party at the Fusion plant.

LOL, funny! Way to go Ford though on bringing this to the US!

[PA Dweller]

The Fiesta is a beautiful car, I am glad we are getting it. I just hope it isn't watered down.