60 mpg not enough of a selling point? Ford dances the tango with new Fiesta
Photo by Sebastian Meyer, Cake Group
As if 60+ mpg wasn't enough to to get people's attention, Ford UK had two of the new Fiesta models - in Squeeze Green and Hot Magenta colors - driving a little dance pattern near the Tower of London last week alongside human dancers. The stunt was choreographed by Paul Harris and international stunt driver Paul Swift. I'm not sure why OEMs feel the need to produce "events" like this - just slap a 60 mpg logo in big red letters and watch these things move out the door. I mean, the Fiesta has already sold 3.4 million units in the UK since its launch in 1976, as Ford writes in the press release about the dance, so it's not like this is some new vehicle that people aren't familiar with. Ford's already got a popular car that gets great gas mileage, why distract people with some dancers? I sure don't know, but if you're the type who appreciates the dancing and the hoopla, you can more pictures over on Flickr.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
TANGO AT THE TOWER MARKS UK LAUNCH OF ALL-NEW FORD FIESTA
BRENTWOOD, 1 OCTOBER 2008 – The all-new Ford Fiesta marked the start of its sales in Britain yesterday with a spectacular tango dance extravaganza at the Tower of London.
Using two of the first all-new Fiesta models to arrive in the UK, stunt drivers drove a Squeeze Green and Hot Magenta models to perform a unique Tango car dance, specially created by choreographer to the stars Paul Harris and international stunt driver Paul Swift.
Strictly Come Dancing winner, Mark Ramprakash, and Tango troupes from across London joined in the party atmosphere.
Hosting the launch was Ford of Britain's chairman and managing director, Roelant de Waard, who said: "We created the new Fiesta with a real passion and we're confident that it's the car the nation is about to fall in love with and so what better way to launch it than with the classic dance of love – the Tango!"
The all-new Ford Fiesta is not just the most dramatic and distinctive Fiesta ever, it also marks a significant landmark, in Ford's history. Since the very first Fiesta was
launched in 1976, over 3.4million have been sold in the UK, proving the enduring popularity of the model's style, efficiency and value for money.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brandon 5:59PM (10/06/2008)
No, just saying 60mpg is not enough to get people to buy it. If it isn't fun to drive, I won't drive it. I imagine they think the same way and that they also think showing people having fun around the car is a good way to make people think its fun.
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slk23 11:26PM (10/06/2008)
I agree, it must be fun to drive or I'm not buying. And the Fiesta's driving experience is getting good marks:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/ford/fiesta/24522/2
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/newreviews/228999/ford_fiesta_2008.html
Mattias 4:44AM (10/07/2008)
No, just saying 60mpg is not enough here in Europe. A Peugeot 206, a Citroen C2, a Citroen C3 (similar engine as the Ford), a Volkswagen Polo, a Seat Ibiza, a Skoda Fabia, a Fiat Grande Punto, a Fiat Cinquecento, an Opel Corsa, a Nissan Micra or a Renault Clio will get mileage figures between 55 and 60 in the ECE cycle. So you have to emphasize on the "fun" that those cars can provide.
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Will 5:31AM (10/07/2008)
What sort of gallons are these? UK gallon is larger than a US gallon, so the mileage figures may seem more impressive than they are (although as a previous poster notes, European cars do tend to have better mileage anyway). I don't think there are many cars on the market that would do 60mpg US ...
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Mattias 10:21AM (10/07/2008)
Will, those are US gallons, but it is ECE cycle. In the combined US cycle these cars might get less. In typical European mixed conditions cars that are officially rated at around 60mpg might get a bit more than 50mpg, maybe 55mpg.
Small engines, light cars and stick is a great combination. I once owned a Citroen AX (1500lbs!) with a 1.0 gasoline engine that regularily managed to get between around 55mpg. My Peugeot 205 with the 1.7l diesel sometimes touched 60mpg.
dudley 11:33AM (10/07/2008)
60mpg or not, they're being badly outsold by the Vauxhall Corsa so they've got to do something.
They can scream 60mpg all they like but so can Vauxhall, Volkswagon, Fiat, BMW with the Mini Diesel, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen...
Quite frankly in the UK they might as well scream "It's got 4 wheels!" and expect that to be enough.
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james ha 4:52PM (11/09/2008)
frankly, "60 mpg" would be a very good selling point here in the U.S. where even so-called "economy" cars are lucky to achieve 30-35 mpg.
bushco actually gave massive tax cuts to people buying a hum-vee - this vehicle gets a good 9 mpg.
now "american" auto companies are seeking a bail-out!
only in the new american century would this be happening.
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