Ford Fiesta named car of the year by What Car?
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Fiesta
Desiring a downshift in the size of your car? The editors of the British car buying website What Car? have decided that what you really need is a Ford Fiesta. The small car, specifically the Ford Fiesta 1.25i Zetec model, was named the Car Of The Year by What Car? editors. This version has the smallest engine available in a Fiesta in the UK, and made a positive impact on the reviewers at Autocar as well. What Car? pointed out that the Fiesta's low fuel consumption was one of the reasons to like this car. Ford has already sold more than 61,000 units in the 19 European markets where the Fiesta is currently available. China will get the car next, in both five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions, later this quarter.
Because the Fiesta is intended for a global release, Americans can look forward to driving something similar to the 1.25i Zetec version here in the coming years. When it comes to the U.S. in 2010, the Fiesta should get Ford's new PowerShift dual clutch gearbox. There's more after the jump.
Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FIESTA NAMED "CAR OF THE YEAR" BY WHAT CAR?, BRITAIN'S LEADING SOURCE OF NEW-CAR ADVICE
- What Car? editors praise Fiesta as "the most complete small car we've ever tested."
- Award marks another accolade for new Ford Fiesta, the first in a series of fuel-efficient small cars being developed by Ford
BRENTWOOD, UK, Jan. 22, 2009 – What Car? magazine, Great Britain's leading source of new-car advice, has named the new Ford Fiesta 1.25i Zetec its Car of the Year 2009, adding to the growing list of accolades for the new small car that Ford is introducing around the world.
What Car? editors praised the Fiesta for its stylish design, performance and fuel economy. "The Fiesta is the most complete small car we've ever tested – it's practical enough to be used as a family car, fun enough to be used as a sports car and stylish enough to make the right impression. It's also affordable to buy, cheap to run and kind to the planet," said Steve Fowler, editor of What Car?.
Introduced in Europe last fall, the Fiesta is off to a strong sales start in the traditional 19 European markets, where sales topped 61,000 units after slightly more than two months on the market. As soon as the Fiesta went on sale in the UK, it became the best-selling car for both November and December.
Designed and developed in Europe for sale across Ford's global markets, the new Fiesta is the first in a series of new, fuel efficient, small cars developed through Ford's global product development process. Its stylish and dynamic flair combines with all the traditional Ford small car strengths to create a confident, contemporary introduction to the next chapter of the Fiesta story.
Within five years, Ford expects to build about one million vehicles worldwide off of the new global B-car platform, the basis for the new Fiesta.
The Fiesta began production at Ford's Cologne Assembly Plant in Germany last year. Earlier this week, Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain, also began producing the car.
Ford launched Asian production of the Fiesta last week at the state-of-the-art Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Company manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China. The Nanjing plant is making the five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions of the new global Fiesta for the Chinese market and the vehicles will go on sale later in the first quarter.
Ford's plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico, will build the new Fiesta for the United States and other North American markets. Construction of the integrated stamping facility and retooling of the assembly plant is underway.
In North America, the new small car will be offered in two models: a sporty hatchback and a sedan, beginning in early in 2010.
In accepting the What Car? award, John Fleming, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, said the magazine's recognition is a sign of more Fiesta success to come. "This is tremendous news for the whole Ford team – the great British public has already made the new Fiesta the UK's best-selling car in the closing months of last year, and this ultimate endorsement by What Car? will drive the new Fiesta to even greater success this year."
What Car? judges also named the Fiesta as the top car in the "supermini" catetory. They praised the new Fiesta inside and out, stating that no other supermini got close to its 'look at me' factor. The delicate curves and sharp edges made it the epitome of the stylish modern supermini.' They also commended the "zingy 1.25-litre engine, nimble handling and strong grip to make it a 'brilliant winner'........"
Adding to the success of Fiesta, the Ford Mondeo won Best Family Car and Best Estate for 2009.
The What Car? Car of the Year 2009 awards are covered in the magazine's February edition, available now. What Car? magazine has helped Britain's car buyers make purchasing decisions for more than 30 years. What Car? also publishes a price guide and operates whatcar.com, the UK's biggest car-buying advice website.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mirko 4:10AM (1/23/2009)
Won't America get only the most powerful and least efficient engine, the 1.6 Ti-VCT?
The 1.25 Zetec in their review makes 81 horsepower. Of course that's not the least powerful engine, they also have a 60hp version, like most competitors.
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Mirko 4:11AM (1/23/2009)
Specs are here:
http://www2.fordconnection.com/fordconnection/multimedia/deu_de/00w/yyy/deu_de00wyyymodelspc.htm
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Dustin 2:26PM (1/23/2009)
That Autocar link says the Fiesta is nearly 2450 lbs. This is a sad turn from earlier reports (from American car magazines) that claimed it would be 2200 lbs.
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jmjmosley 2:47PM (1/23/2009)
Ford has proven that an American car manufacturer can build a quality car.My 1997 Crown Victoria is still going strong. Still gets decent gas mileage and very comfortable.
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nicole 3:03PM (1/23/2009)
I love Ford!! Buy American!
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Steve 4:15PM (1/23/2009)
Buy American?? It'll be built in Mexico for the USA! Boycott the Ford Fiesta !
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Claes 4:40PM (1/23/2009)
Maybe I am more of a tech than patriot.
Give me some good reasons for manufacturing cars in Detroit.
Reason against: It is cold you have to heat the buildings in the winter (6 months) Yesteryear it made sense to build cars
next to the steel supply sources, but the sources are everywhere today. In the summer the humidity is very high, so the costs for airconditioning is very high. There are auto workers who feel entitled to extremely high incomes, and still the doors don't close properly, and must be adjusted at the dealership. A Euro Ford is built with much more care.
Reason for: Tradition. Another reason, why build cars in the 3rd world country, Mexico, which is a lawless place.
Admit that there are not many good reasons to big cars in
big cities. I like the Ford products. The new boss seams to be
less stupid then the GM people. But if one goes down, 3 new ones will come.
Gene 8:22PM (1/23/2009)
I agree, why can't Ford build this in the USA? That being said, it is interesting that of all the new vehicles I have bought in my life, mostly Toyota and Honda, the very most reliable, perfect from the factory vehicle that I have ever bought is my Mexican made, Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel. It has 60,000 miles without a single defect! gets 18 t0 20 mpg! Even my 2008 Civic has already been in the shop 2 times for warranty work.
Steve 9:20PM (1/23/2009)
I bought a 2005 Chevy Malibu. Since day one the only problem was that a CD stuck in the CD player. It was under warranty and they replaced the whole unit. That's it--only regular maintenence and 30 mpg.
Steve 4:27PM (1/23/2009)
Buy American?? The North American (USA) Fiesta will be made in Mexico according to the article.
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Vince 4:35PM (1/23/2009)
Why aren't they mentioning that it it is a turbo diesel that does 65 mpg??? Because the American version won't get anywhere near that.
nick 4:54PM (1/23/2009)
That's pathetic. It looks like it was desinged by a 16 year old on crack. I'd rather ride a moped!
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gord davey 10:11PM (1/23/2009)
WE SHOULD BOYCOT THIS NEW FORD FIESTA SINCE IT IS BEING BUILT IN MEXICO DURING HARD TIMES IN U.S.A.
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Jw 11:04AM (1/25/2009)
If it was built in the USA the unions would destroy the competitive pricing and if it started selling the unions would then go on strike to further drive Ford to mfg. more models in Mexico.
John 6:27PM (1/23/2009)
Actually, the two door model looks pretty decent - it looks like a small Mercedes hatchback.
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Rich 9:32PM (1/23/2009)
This further confirms that Ford is by far the strongest of the big three US Auto companies and compares well to it's foreign counterparts in terms of quality and style. I am extremely happy with my 2006 Ford Fusion and apparently just about everyone else that owns one is equally pleased. It ranks near the top of the list in terms of overall customer satisfaction. Can't wait to see the new Fiesta and the new Taurus which is also receiving rave reviews.
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Abraxus 8:17PM (1/23/2009)
Having driven Fiesta's for a number of years in the UK I can honestly say they have some zip to them and they are very confortable inside. Drove all the way from Southampton to Scotland in one once (that's about 600-700 miles, I can't remember exactly) and it did fantastic on fuel even then (a few years ago now). The Brits have more need of fuel efficiency than we do, considering they pay more than 3 times what we do for gas per gallon, so I can see why it is selling so well. I love my current small car (and it's a Chrysler - go figure!) but if they bring this car to the USA I would definitely trade in and get one - they look great, they are nicely finished on the interior and mpg is really great - 40+ mpg if you drive it right and not a hybrid!
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d 8:36PM (1/23/2009)
what the f....k these a holes are useing our tax money (TARP)to lunch this car over there, I will never buy another ford again rip offs
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Dan 11:07AM (1/25/2009)
You might want to check your facts. Ford has not taken any money from the taxpayer, GM and Chryslar have gotten 17+ billion. Ford secured capital back in 2005-6 and at current rate of operation is perjected to fine through the end of the year.
Second most of the money from TARP has gone to banks and finacial institutions....So are you going to stop banking also?
OBAMAA 7:22AM (1/24/2009)
THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A SMALL CADILAC WITH A LARGE GLOVEBOX SO YOU CAN PUT YOUR WATERMELLON IN SIDE ..... ITS GOING TO BE CALLED THE OBAMA CAR .....
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