Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec gets caught in Mexican factory
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 13th 2009 at 7:59AM 
Ford Fiestas being built in Mexico -- Click above for high-res image gallery
What is reported to be the coming U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta has been photographed during assembly in Mexico, and the minor changes we can glean so far center around the grille. Compared to its European counterpart, the American version gets a much chunkier front end which has pushed the leading edge of the hood back. The Ford emblem is now completely surrounded by the front clip.
Below that, the central opening is larger, ringed with chrome, and the bisecting bar on the Euro version has been moved up and fitted with a U.S. license plate holder. Outside, the single fog light has been reworked into a giant, glass covered alien eye. Make no mistake – it's still hot, and we still can't wait to see it when it's unveiled at the LA Auto Show next month.
Gallery: Dummies Ford Fiesta americano
[Source: Autoblog Spanish (translated)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NeilBlanchard 8:22AM (10/13/2009)
Hi,
The lower grill opening is *not* as large as the chrome ring -- the ring is there, I think, to make you think the opening is that big. But, the daylight that is visible through the grill seems to show that the actual opening is smaller.
Is there any ideas about what the Cd is on this car?
Sincerely, Neil
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NeilBlanchard 9:13AM (10/13/2009)
...and why is "SCRAP" written on the front fascia (in yellow on the left side of the image)?
Throwback 10:09AM (10/13/2009)
Probably because these are pre-production vehicles to test out the line.
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Murray 10:27AM (10/13/2009)
The fact that this is in a Mexican factory means I won't buy one. I guess Ford can do what they want since they didn't take government money, but we need jobs in the US right now and US workers producing a great small car would be a great story. Oh well.
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miles 1:24PM (10/13/2009)
I've heard (a while back) on this blog that they are converting an old F150 plant in Mexico to make this car, and instead importing the F150's from the US to Mexico. I agree with your sentiment concerning US-made, but in this case they will now import this low-margin econobox from Mex, while exporting the high-margin F150 to Mex.
It's not like they closed a US plant to make them overseas...
Laurens 11:33AM (10/13/2009)
Class leading, the European version at least...
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John 5:05PM (10/13/2009)
They made it a sedan. No longer interested. Guess I'll be waiting for the Fit Hybrid for our second car.
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lazybones 10:51PM (10/13/2009)
Take a beautiful European design and make it headeous for the US market ... Typical! So no quite one Ford, more like One Ford for the US and One Ford for everyone else.
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