Mazda2 coming to America as Ford Fiesta in 2009
I think we need to credit our own Sam Abuelsamid for predicting this one a month ago. He spotted a Ford Fiesta in Detroit in early March, and thought at the time that the Fiesta might make a good candidate for the then-just-confirmed news that the Mazda2 would be coming to the U.S. (others guessed differently). Last week, Sam's prediction was confirmed, according to Motor Trend. Built using Ford's new consolidated global small car platform team, the vehicle architecture of the next-gen US Ford Fiesta will indeed be the same as on the Mazda2 , and it's headed to the states in 2009, Motor Trend says.
The look of the new Fiesta will not change much from the Euro-version, so if you're an American and you like what you see above, you're in luck (we have a few dozen more images in the high-res gallery). The question now is, of course, how this small car will sell against similar offerings from other automakers (See: Yaris, Fit, etc.). There's certainly demand for these B-segment cars, but how big is that demand? Predictions wanted.
Gallery: UK Ford Fiesta
Gallery: 2008 Mazda2
Related:
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rich 8:30AM (2/17/2008)
American can companies just must not want to survive, or think that by giving us butt-ugly cars like this new Fiesta (the Chevy Chevette of the 21st century), we will instead choose to buy Excursions or F-1250s.
If any person with ANY sense had the choice:
Ford Fiesta
Mazda2
which would they choose?
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Mike 10:53AM (3/21/2008)
Hey kids. Ford is making the Fiesta unattractive so they can say, "See, people don't want those cars" when testifying on Capital Hill, fighting against tougher CAFE standards. The reality is that visually appealing, fuel-efficient cars CAN be made... only, they do that in Europe far away from the eyes of the U.S. Congress. They all play this game all over the world, "we can't make those cars :::whine::: it's to hard"... then make the very car they say they can't make for other parts of the world that have mandates in place - like Europe and Brazil. Fact: in 1908 Ford's Model-T got 21MPG and ran on gasoline or ethanol.
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Ty 6:05PM (3/28/2008)
I have a 1990 Festiva L-plus that gets 34mpg/city, and I it has been the best little car ever.
After 18 years flawless service I hope to be first in line when they hit the market.
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matt 6:33PM (5/02/2008)
The picture of the Fiesta is the current model, not the new one Ford will be bringing here. The new one is MUCH better looking. Great interior too.
http://jalopnik.com/356753/ford-fiesta-three-door-pictures-and-details-to-be-called-fiesta-for-us-market
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Banditfan 2:09PM (6/22/2008)
Looks like a Ford Focus that shrank in the car wash. I've been looking at the Honda Fit for my next purchase, but as a long time Mazda fan I'd buy the 2 in a heartbeat. If it comes here as a Ford there is not a chance, particularly if they assemble it in Mexico. I have bitter experience with Mexico Fords so it looks like Honda wins this one.
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Banditfan 2:13PM (6/22/2008)
Oops, just noticed Matt's link. That looks more like it. Where it is built will still be a huge factor for me though.
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richardmarjan 8:33PM (10/11/2008)
Mazda 2 looks great...Fiesta...ennnhhhh....maybe not so great.
In my infinite lack of understanding in these matters, I still have to pose the question WHY?!!!
Why the Fiesta and why not the far better looking Mazda? Or why not both?
It might just be me, but it seems that American auto makers have been making seriously bad judgment calls for such a long time now that it's just an ingrained part of their culture.
Again, I don't understand all the complexities of the decision-making at the top, but with Toyota possibly bringing the iQ to North America, having the Mazda 2 in stores would seem to be the ideal counterpoint.
The Fiesta is just not as good looking a vehicle, plain and simple. If you want people to buy your product and they know there's another product by a company you own and you aren't giving them the option, well; it's pretty simple to understand that these people will not buy the lesser of the two just because the company hasn't made the better looking product available.
That is not rocket science. It seems like yet another method to send disgruntled consumers into a competing showroom.
Wakey wakey Ford! The sky really is falling and even when someone gives you the opportunity to stop it you snooze on by while meteorites crash around you.
And on a completely unrelated matter, will someone please import or manufacture a tiny 3 door SUV with a diesel that gets around 50 mpg and is fun to drive. Well? I'm waiting!
He's getting excited now.
You want sixties VW Beetle or Mustang sales? Well, that's where it is. Get with the program!
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mobile_army_sugical_hospital 6:15PM (4/29/2007)
With gas over three bucks a gal in lots of places my question is... what is the expected MPG?
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Don 9:21PM (5/02/2007)
I'd guess somewhere in the 34-40 mpg range...depending on the engine.
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Rick 10:24AM (5/17/2007)
Crap, that sucks. I was holding out hope for Mazda to bring the 2 to the states, not Ford. Damn. Oh well, onto another choice I guess, because I will not buy a Ford.
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gicev 7:00PM (6/26/2007)
Ford Fiesta is looking very good
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themeat424 4:31PM (8/12/2007)
what a mistake not bringing the 2 to america. the ford version looks terrible, it reminds me of a frog. i dont understand why mazda was afraid to sell this car over here. in my opinion it would of knocked out the yaris, fit, and versa
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Murph11 1:34PM (9/23/2007)
I have a Fit and Mazda3 Sport.
I would have bought a Mazda2 in a second instead of the Fit IF Mazda would have 'grown a pair' and made it available in the U.S.
Styling is gorgeous compared to the ho-hum Ford Fiesta/siesta...zzzz. I ove my Honda, but I have been a loyal Mazda owner since the introduction of the '83 626.
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Murph11 1:36PM (9/23/2007)
I love my Honda...spell check please.
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John 2:20AM (1/07/2008)
"because I will not buy a Ford"
Well thats a perfectly good reason to pass up a car that you otherwise like, because of the logo on the grille! Whatever!
My only wish is that Ford would bring the car here sooner. Its sad to admit, but I dont think gas prices are going anywhere but up, so maybe it will hit the market at just the right time.
I have a long commute, and with these fuel prices, I (reluctantly) just bought a low mileage '99 Saturn SL 5-speed that gets MPG in the mid-to-upper 30s. I am coming from a Ford (Taurus), which I was very happy with, but finding a decent Ford Aspire that somebody hasnt beat the crap out of with less than 250,000 miles is not easy, at least not where I'm at. Thus, I had to go with another brand.
Years ago, I had a '90 Festiva L and I loved it. Very few problems, excelent MPG, and I sold it after putting 20,000 miles on it for the exact same amount I bought it for. Thats when gas was $1.67/gallon and I wanted something larger and more comfortable (hence the Taurus). I wish I'd kept it.
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