Is Ford dropping Fiesta name for new global B-car?
For a few weeks now, we've been saying we expect Ford to bring the Fiesta to the U.S. when the company's new global B-car arrives sometime in late 2009. But hold the phones. Just-Auto (subs req'd) says today that the Fiesta name may be dropped in favor of one of the following four: Genesis, Isis, Cuga or Phoenix. J-A says Ford is checking to see what other companies have claims on these names, and will likely use one of them for the vehicle.
Does it really matter what name this car has? I think that because the car will be the most global of any in Ford's history, and the Fiesta name is popular around the globe, a bit of unity wouldn't be a bad thing. Unfortunately, in the U.S., where Ford Fiesta sounds a bit like Ford Festiva. I guess if 70-85 percent of the parts are the same around the world, a different name badge is pretty easy to do.
Related:
- Mazda2 coming to America as Ford Fiesta in 2009
- Small cars to be big part of Ford comeback
- Saving money with smaller cars, Ford corporate edition
- Ford confirms that new B-Car will be based on Mazda2
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony Belding 8:29PM (5/15/2007)
Genesis and Isis would each probably manage to offend some religious faction or another, and I suspect Phoenix Motorcars might object to a Ford Phoenix. That leaves Cuga, which simply sounds awful.
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Der Alte 2:47AM (5/16/2007)
Why not just sell it as the Mazda 2? The Mazda 3 is a run-away hit, why not leverage that popularity? More people would consider buying the car simply because it has a Mazda badge instead of the tainted Ford badge. The name Ford coupled with a small car brings up a lot of bad memories in a lot of people's minds.
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mirko 8:37AM (5/16/2007)
Why not sell the Mazda 2 as the Mazda 2 and the Ford Fiesta as the Ford Fiesta? Every mass market brand needs a good subcompact.
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Kendall Tawes 2:15AM (5/17/2007)
I think more than ever car companies should merge their global range into singularity. Certainly some cars would sell better in some markets more than others but all they have to do is sell as many in one market as the people of that market might want.
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Michael 11:39PM (5/24/2007)
I still like "Pinto"!
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