Will Ford Fiesta Classic Discontinued?

Get latest updates on the automobile community Login Now

Ford Fiesta was in its seventh generation overseas. The model was initially introduced in India as the Ikon and continued until 2015. Ford is focusing on electrified and all-electric vehicles instead of pure ICE models. EcoSport, Puma and Focus will continue to be the marque’s entry-level models overseas.

Ford has announced that it’s retiring the global Fiesta model line after 46 years of its existence in global markets.2023 will be the final production year for the hatchback in Europe, as Ford continues to focus on electrified and fully electric vehicles.

Is the Ford Fiesta going to be discontinued?

Driving home last week, I popped the radio on to catch with the latest news headlines. Only half listening to the latest political shenanigans and Putin atrocities in Ukraine, my ears pricked up when Radio 4 mentioned as one of its main news items that Ford was rumoured to be stopping production of its popular Fiesta earlier than originally planned.

• Although Ford wouldn’t confirm or deny this rumour at the time, the following day it did eventually confirm that after a long, and very successful, production run of more than 47 years, the best-selling Ford Fiesta would finally be laid to rest – and take a very well-earned siesta – in June 2023.
• Ford is ending production of its Fiesta B-segment ‘supermini’ earlier than planned as the Blue Oval moves more rapidly to electrify its entire model range of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

Unlike the majority of us Brits (plus millions of our Continental cousins) I have never actually had a direct link with the baby Ford. Sure, I’ve driven countless examples of each generation of the model over the years, but I have never actually owned one myself, nor have had any close friends or family members with a Fiesta.

• Thus, I have no real emotion about its early parting, despite it becoming ultimately the best-selling car in British history and ubiquitous on our roads in the UK.
• Since its British launch in February 1977 (some months after its Autumn 1976 debut in most LHD European markets) the Fiesta has always just been there, a familiar part of our street furniture, like pedestrian crossings and street lamps, blending into the scenery and causing no offence, whilst doing everything quite well, if rarely outstanding, in typical Ford fashion.

Incidentally, Fiesta has become the longest-serving model name plate for Ford in Europe, lasting almost 50 years by the time it finishes next year. Yet the Fiesta name wasn’t chosen until the eleventh hour, the new Ford was originally set to be called Bravo, one of around two dozen names that were being considered for the model.

• Other legendary European Ford names such as the popular Cortina name only lasted for 20 years and Escort 30 years (43 years if you include the short-lived 1955 103E Prefect-based estate car).
• The German Ford Taunus name, meanwhile, was used for 43 years, from 1939-82.
• In the USA of course, Ford’s cult Mustang label still lives, and thrives (via the all-electric Mustang Mach E), having first been seen and in constant use since 1964.

In my view the most endearing and memorable of all of the seven generations (by Ford’s reckoning) of Ford Fiesta models is the original 1976/77 Mark I. First conceived way back in 1971 under the internal Ford codename of ‘Project Bobcat,’ at a time when ‘front-wheel-drive, small hatchbacks ‘superminis’ such as the pioneering Fiat 127 were beginning to dominate the European new car market.

Initially Ford’s American management were resistant to the idea of introducing a new small family hatch; the Corporate mantra in Dearborn at the time being “small cars equal small profit.” Hence, Ford’s entry into this rapidly expanding new vehicle segment was tackled by its trusty, but dated, rear-drive Escort, a range of family saloons and estates that looked decidedly old fashioned against the latest up-start front-drive hatchbacks being launched into Europe, such as the Renault 5, Peugeot 104, Honda Civic, and so on.

Ford took much inspiration from the Fiat 127, and even used its chassis as the base for many of its Project Bobcat full-size styling prototypes, built for use in secret customer clinics, etc., including the 127’s wheels and Fiat-stamped chrome hubcaps.

The first Fiesta’s pleasing contemporary two-box design was largely the work the gifted ex-Pininfarina and Ghia stylist Tom Tjaarda – also the designer of the iconic De Tomaso Pantera supercar, for example. Ford has built 22 million Fiestas since its original 1976 launch, the model being its best-selling car in Europe and Britain for many years.

Since its UK introduction 46 years ago, almost five million examples have been sold here and for 12 consecutive years, it was this country’s best-selling new (and used) car. Its early demise comes as car makers increasingly concentrate on larger crossover and SUV models, such as Ford’s slightly pointless Puma and larger Kuga, which are growing in popularity and provide better profits than compact models.

1. After topping the registrations list of most for more than a decade, sales of the Fiesta have been declining in recent years, a problem exacerbated by supply shortages that saw Ford temporarily pause orders for the model earlier this year.
2. For the first time since its 1977 launch, the Fiesta failed to make the British list of top ten best-sellers in 2021.

It doesn’t feature in the year-to-date list for 2022, either, while the larger Puma and Kuga SUV are comfortably placed in third and seventh position respectively. The situation is similar in mainland Europe, with the Puma outperforming the Fiesta significantly over the past 18 months.

1. As a victim of the crumbling B-segment, and the internal competition of the small Puma SUV, the Fiesta will not be directly replaced, although I don’t see any reason why the name badge could not be continued on a future electric model.
2. While 459,006 Ford Fiestas were sold in Europe in 2019, sales are reported to have decreased since then, down to below 86,385 examples in 2021 (whilst the Puma gained 134,431 European buyers last year).

With the on-going shortage of semiconductors and the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, the situation has sadly not improved this year. On the contrary, since Fiesta production had to be interrupted this summer (as was also the case for the larger Focus which is set for the chop by 2024).

One suspects that this decision has been a late, unplanned one for Ford, as recently as 2017 it introduced the latest seventh-generation Fiesta model, giving the car a facelift just last autumn, with the familiar blue Ford oval badge now set proudly in the centre of the latest Fiesta’s grille; a model that could become a rare sight on our roads.

Ford stopped production of all three-door versions of the Fiesta earlier in 2022, and with crumbling sales, the five-door bodyshell will also be sacrificed at the final Fiesta manufacturing plant, Ford’s historic German facility in Cologne (where the company has been based since 1932).

• This will enable complete focus on the production of a compact electric vehicle, developed on the shared Volkswagen MEB platform, as used on the VW ID.3 and ID.4.
• Ford has also publicly announced that all production of its acclaimed S-Max and Galaxy people carriers will also draw to a halt in 2023.
• By 2030 all of Ford’s passenger vehicles in Europe will be fully electric and all its vehicles (vans included) will be EV only by 2035.

Initially the Fiesta was planned as a true pan-European model, with the car made in Cologne, and well as Ford’s Dagenham, Essex, ex-manufacturing plant, plus an all-new purpose-built factory in Valencia in the popular wine-growing region of Spain. After much hype and anticipation of Ford entering the youthful supermini European market sector in the late 1970s, Ford presented a number of intriguing Fiesta-based special ‘show’ models, using its new car’s front-drive base and transverse 950cc and 1.1-litre engines (a first for Ford of Europe).

These included the funky, off-road Tuareg prototype at the 1976 Turin motor show, plus the racy Ghia Corrida small gullwing coupe and the Prima; a versatile multi-body configuration pick-up-cum-coupe hatch. Donald Healey’s last car creation was also based on the first Fiesta with a special tuned one-off model in 1978.

Launched initially in Britain with just those two engines (essentially Ford UK’s old cross-flow Kent motors, dating back to the 1959 Ford Anglia and mounted sideways), plus a wide choice of trim levels (including the sporty S and luxury range-topping Ghia), the Fiesta quickly became Europe’s fastest-selling new car. 1 / 2 2 / 2 Although left wanting in many key areas, the non-injected XR2 sold like hot cakes, but for 1984 the original bluff-fronted Fiesta received a facelift (often mistakenly referred to as the Fiesta 2), with the same three-door-only bodyshell, but a sleeker, more aerodynamic front end ahead of the A-pillars with more advanced alloy-head CVH engines.

1. The popular XR2 variant was given a more powerful 1.6-litre, 97PS (71kW) unit, taken from its larger Escort XR3 performance sibling in 1986, and diesel options became available for Ford’s baby models for the first time too.
2. After a long 13-year production run, in 1989 the original Fiesta was replaced by larger (six inches longer) and more spacious second-generation BE13 model, sharing the same suspension layout as the 1976 original, but now using updated fuel-injected engines and a five-speed gearbox.

The most welcome change, though, was the addition of five-door coachwork for the first time, as cleverly illustrated by Ford’s inspired Urba prototype, a Gen 2 Fiesta ‘concept’ with two opening doors one side, and one on the other, to create a four-door car.

Predictably the new version of the Fiesta was an instant hit, shooting to the top of the new car sales charts. In time, the true second-generation Fiesta saw the addition of a lively RS Turbo model (a 1.6-litre at first, then a 1.8-litre from 1992). Not as refined as the benchmark Peugeot 205 GTi hot hatch rival, the RS Turbo models failed to match the success of the lesser Fiesta models, not helped by an exorbitant insurance rating at the time.

In 1995 the agreeable but slightly bland Fiesta II was updated for the so-called BE95 MK IV (really just a facelift), with styling alterations including a new front end with a rounded Ford ‘family-look’ corporate grille (in line with the larger Mondeo, Scorpio, etc.).

During this model’s 13-year life, Ford experimented with an intriguing Australian Orbital two-stroke engine, building more than 50 examples and giving them to British police forces to try out on a daily basis. The engines proved reliable, but Ford eventually rejected launching the unit for public consumption due to high emission levels.

This revamped 1995 Fiesta also spawned an odd badge-engineered derivative; the third-generation Mazda 121. To-date, the first and only Mazda vehicle to be built in Europe (at Dagenham), this entry Mazda hatchback was simply a rebadged Fiesta, adorned with Mazda insignia and the brand’s corporate grille.

1. This version of the Fiesta also saw a new entry-level model based on its platform; the distinctive Ford Ka, plus unusual overseas derivatives, such as the booted three-box Ikon Sedan in India and Brazil, with a pick-up ‘bakkie’ version (the Bantam) developed for South Africa.
2. For British market consumption, this 1989-2002 Fiesta was still built in Dagenham (as well as Spain and Germany), but UK production finally ended at the ancient plant in 2002, when the next generation of Ford Fiesta replaced this incarnation.

On 1 st April 2002 Ford launched the all-new fifth-generation (by its misleading numbering logic/illogic) Fiesta; with more prim and proper upright styling. Another showroom winner, the fifth Fiesta lasted unchanged until 2008 and included the dynamically acclaimed Fiesta ST performance hatch.

With this latest model, the Fiesta became the UK’s best-selling car for 18 years in a row between 2002 and 2020. This situation remained the same, right up until the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, with the Fiesta routinely toping the British new car sales tables consistently, month after month. So far during 2022, however, it has only appeared (in its 2017 seventh-generation form) in the British top ten best-sellers twice, being comfortably outsold by its newer Vauxhall Corsa rival, and disappearing for the first time ever from the overall European top 50 new car sales list.

Going forward without the Fiesta as part of its roster, Ford plans to launch seven full-electric vehicles in Europe, including a battery-electric version of the Puma that will be built in Romania. The Puma will become Ford’s entry model, with a new EV medium crossover and sport crossover set for launch by 2024, but the Fiesta doesn’t feature at all in that product plan.

What will replace the Ford Fiesta in 2024?

Meanwhile, Puma sales were down 14% compared with the same point in 2021, at 90,893 units. In August alone, the Puma placed 12th for European sales, with 9891 examples leaving showrooms. The Fiesta failed to place in the top 50, at just 2735 units. It was speculated earlier this year that Ford earns more from Lego licensing deals than the hatchback, This confirmation follows June’s news that production of the larger Ford Focus will come to an end in 2025, without a direct successor tipped for production. It’s instead expected to be replaced by an electric crossover – one of four new EVs due by 2024 – to sit between the Puma EV and the existing Ford Mustang Mach-E,

What is the future of the Ford Fiesta?

You might like – “As we get ready to transition to an electric future, we will discontinue production of S-MAX and Galaxy in Valencia, Spain in April 2023 and discontinue Fiesta production in Cologne, Germany by end of June 2023. So that’s the and MPVs axed as well as the Fiesta in one fell swoop.

Big news day or what? Advertisement – Page continues below READ MORE And what of the future? Ford’s statement alluded to this too, stating: “We will introduce three new exciting electric passenger vehicles and four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024. “We plan to sell more than 600,000 electric vehicles in the region by 2026, and the electric passenger vehicle production at the Cologne Electrification Centre will reach 1.2 million vehicles over a six-year timeframe.” So there you go, after first appearing in 1976 the Ford Fiesta’s time is officially up.

Let the mourning period begin Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. : Official: Ford Fiesta production will end in June 2023

Is the Ford Fiesta axed after 46 years?

Ford has confirmed it will discontinue the best-selling Fiesta next year along with the Galaxy and S-Max next year. In their place, Ford will reveal four new electric cars to go on sale in Europe by 2024. The Ford Fiesta will be removed from dealerships in June 2023 after 46 years on sale, during which time more than 4.8 million Fiestas have found homes.

1. Ford has confirmed that production of the iconic supermini will end next summer.
2. The Galaxy and S-Max people carriers will also be axed from April 2023.
3. Ford looks set to concentrate on EVs and SUVs, with models such as the electric Mustang Mach-E and Puma crossover becoming mainstays of the manufacturer’s range.

The brand will introduce three new electric cars and four electric commercial vehicles in Europe in 2024. An official Ford video shared to mark the end of the Fiesta includes a single image of four car silhouettes (below). The two cars on the left appear to be (from left to right) a Puma and a Mustang Mach-E, but the two cars on the right are more mysterious. Could these be the four new electric cars Ford plans to introduce in the next few years?

Why is Ford scrapping the Fiesta?

25 October 2022, 08:28 | Updated: 25 October 2022, 09:39 Ford is reportedly set to scrap its Ford Fiesta. Picture: Alamy Ford is set to axe production of the Fiesta after 46 years. The car, which a survey by CarInsurance.ae found to be Britain’s most popular car in 2022, has been around since 1976 and has sold 4.8 million vehicles.

1. But now the company is set to stop production of the car within a year, The Sun reports.
2. Read more: Sunak gets to work: New PM faces daunting in-tray as he warns Tories must ‘unite or die’ ahead of visit to King Charles Read more: ‘Legend’ local radio DJ dies while presenting Suffolk morning show An insider said it was a “strategic decision to make way for a ‘new’ Ford”, with the paper adding costs and falling sales due to a rise in the popularity of smaller SUVs were also contributing.

The Sun added there are no plans to replace the car with an electric model. A Ford spokesperson said: “We are accelerating our efforts to go all-in on electrification and therefore review our vehicle portfolio in line with our business strategy. “We do not comment on speculation and will share more information in the coming months.” The Fiesta has been around for more than 45 years. Picture: Alamy The first Ford Fiesta was made in Dagenham, Essex, in 1976. At the time they sold for £1,856. Read more: Partial eclipse to be visible across UK on Tuesday morning – when is it and how to watch Read more: ‘Oh no, not again’, thought nurse who saw baby deteriorate the night after her brother died, Lucy Letby trial hears The more modern ones are made in Cologne, Germany. Now, if bought new, the Fiesta can cost upwards of £26,000. Picture: Alamy Government data of registered vehicles analysed by CarInsurance.ae found the Fiesta was the most popular car in the UK, with 1,521,680 vehicles registered. The Ford Fiesta Zetec was the most popular specification.

• The Fiesta was followed closely by the Ford Focus, which had 1,179,024 models registered.
• Read more: ‘World’s a darker place’: Will and Grace actor Leslie Jordan dies aged 67 after Los Angeles car crash Read more: ‘Rishi Sunak is the Tory party’s last chance, says Andrew Marr A spokesperson for CarInsurance.ae said the data “shows that the Ford Fiesta is the most popular car in the UK”.

“In fact, the Ford Fiesta is so popular that there are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than there are every type of Peugeot,” they said.

Will there be a 2023 Ford Fiesta?

FAQs –

Ford will be discontinuing the Fiesta in the summer of 2023. Sadly, there isn’t much profit in small cars these days. That’s why an increasing number of manufacturers are their dropping small hatchbacks and focusing on SUVs and electric cars, instead. The Fiesta is a very good car. Highlights are that it is superb to drive, has a great driving position and comes with plenty of standard kit. There’s also numerous trim levels to choose from. We reckon the Fiesta’s best engine option is the 1.0-litre Ecoboost 100. It has 99bhp, pulls from low revs and has plenty of pace while remaining economical. Our favourite trim is Titanium. We class the Fiesta as a small car and the larger Focus as a family car. While both can seat five and carry luggage, the Focus is both longer and wider than the Fiesta, meaning it is more spacious for passengers and has more boot space. Reliability isn’t a strength of the Ford Fiesta. It was reported to be one of the least dependable small cars in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, and Ford as a brand didn’t fare particularly well, either. Both cars compete well with their direct rivals, although we don’t consider either an outright class leader. The Focus is more practical, quieter and more comfortable – but then it’s more expensive to buy, so that’s hardly surprising.

At a glance

RRP price range	£19,350 – £27,380
Number of trims ( see all )	9
Number of engines ( see all )	4
Available fuel types ( which is best for you? )	petrol
MPG range across all versions	42.2 – 56.5
Available doors options	5
Warranty	3 years / 60000 miles
Company car tax at 20% (min/max)	£1,069 / £1,814
Company car tax at 40% (min/max)	£2,138 / £3,628
Available colours

What car replaces Fiesta?

Ford confirmed Wednesday it will end production of its iconic Fiesta worldwide by the end of June 2023. It will be replaced by an all-electric version of the company’s popular Puma crossover in Europe.

Will Ford make the Fiesta again?

The party is over for Ford’s smallest car. Ford will end production of the Fiesta in June 2023 after 47 years and over 22 million units, and no electric replacement is planned. The company confirmed it will begin production of a new mid-sized electric crossover based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform next year at the Fiesta’s plant in Cologne, Germany.

It released a poignant video bidding farewell to the Fiesta but teasing the electric SUVs that it’s introducing. With Ford having discontinued the even smaller Ka in Europe and South America in the past few years, that will leave the Puma crossover, as well as the Escort (China) and Focus (Europe) small cars as the brand’s entry-level models.

The Focus’ future is far from assured, however, with reports Ford will end production of its small car range in 2025. This news comes as Ford of Europe expands its electric vehicle range, with two German-built crossovers based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform in the works along with an electric Puma to be built in Romania. The trio, due by 2024, will slot in underneath the Mustang Mach-E, Ford of Europe plans to sell only electric passenger cars from 2030. Fiesta sales have trailed off recently, even as rivals like the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 continue to perform well in Europe.

First-generation Fiesta 2007 Fiesta XR4

In Europe, Ford sold just 150,067 Fiestas in 2020 and 86,385 Fiestas in 2021 according to Carsalesbase, It typically sells well over 200,000 annually, and in the past decade has even been claimed the title of Europe’s best-selling vehicle across multiple years.

2010 Fiesta

The following generation was the most global Fiesta yet, returning to North America and being produced in numerous countries including Brazil, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain and Thailand. A sedan was also offered. A hot version, now called the ST locally, returned in 2013. The great expansion of the Fiesta worldwide under the Blue Oval brand’s One Ford policy proved short-lived. With the nameplate’s discontinuation in markets like North America and South America, the current generation is now manufactured only in Germany It’s not the only heritage nameplate that Ford has put on the chopping block in recent times.

It confirmed last year it was ending production of the Mondeo in Europe, though its Chinese operations subsequently introduced a new generation for that market. It’s also sold as the Taurus in the Middle East, dusting off another recently deceased heritage nameplate. The defunct European Mondeo was another global One Ford model, with versions manufactured in China, Spain and the US (as the Fusion), and sold in markets across the world, including Australia.

MORE: Everything Ford Fiesta

Is Ford Fiesta Classic a good car?

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Superbly responsive 1.4 litre petrol engine, great fun to drive and overtake. Mileage very poor at about 8.5 kmpl in peak Mumbai city traffic. Ride Quality & Handling Reasonably good although a bit bumpy on potholes.

What year is Ford Fiesta Classic model?

The Ford Fiesta Classic, a Sedan from Ford, was launched in India in Jan 2011. Ford Fiesta Classic price starts from ₹ 5.78 Lakh in India. Fiesta Classic is available in 7 colours – Panther Black, Diamond White, Moondust Silver, Sea Grey, Chill Metallic, Colorado, and Paprika Red.

What cars are Ford discontinuing?

Ford has been in the automotive industry for more than a century and has churned out some of the most iconic cars ever seen. The Blue Oval automaker’s factory continues to roll out everything from the superfast Ford GT to the F-MAX heavy-duty truck. However, as the American automaker looks to focus its efforts on electrification, it will discontinue several models in 2023 including the Fiesta, S-Max, and Galaxy.

How long is Ford Fiesta will last?

How many miles can a 2012 Ford Fiesta last? – Most sources report that a 2012 Ford Fiesta can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, The average US driver puts about 14,000 miles a year on their car, so a 2012 Fiesta should have a life expectancy of about 10 to 15 years,

What is new vs old Ford Fiesta?

The main difference between the old and n ew Fiesta is the uprated engine. The previous version of the Fiesta housed a 1.6-litre engine which was down-rated to 1.5-litres for improved fuel efficiency. Cosmetic changes include new front bumper and grille design and a re-vamped interior dashboard.

What did the Ford Fiesta replace?

“XR2” redirects here. For the song by M.I.A., see Kala (album),

Ford Fiesta
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1976–present (as of 2022)
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini ( B )
Body style	3- and 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan/saloon (some countries, Mk4-Mk6 only) 3-door van (Europe only)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Chronology
Successor	Ford Puma (electric; indirectly)

The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car marketed by Ford since 1976 over seven generations. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford’s European operations, and has been positioned below the Escort (later the Focus ). Ford has sold over 22 million Fiestas since 1976, making it one of the best-selling Ford marques behind the Escort and the F-Series,

Where are Ford Fiestas made for the UK?

‘A British icon’: How the Ford Fiesta became the nation’s favourite car

• After 47 years, one of Britain’s favourite cars is finally heading to the scrapyard.
• By the end of June 2023 Ford has said it will have, which first appeared in showrooms in 1976.
• Spending several years at the top of sales lists, the compact, cheap-to-make, cheap-to-run car has been through eight generations.
• And as its US manufacturer declared the model’s “job is done” and it moves to focus on electric ones instead, nostalgic Britons have praised its “iconic” rise to dominance.

Image: Henry Ford II with the first Ford Fiesta in 1976

2. Response to 1973 oil crisis
3. The very first Fiesta rolled off the production line in Valencia in 1975, with Henry Ford II choosing a suitably Spanish name to mark its roots.
4. It was developed in response to the 1973 oil crisis, which saw the price of fuel rocket and motorists needing a more economically efficient car.
5. Ford’s rivals Fiat, Renault and Volkswagen had already beaten them to it.
6. But seeing what its competitors had to offer meant that when ‘Project Bobcat’ finally had its first Fiesta ready for sale, it was a more comprehensive offering.

Image: Production inside Dagenham plant in Essex

• It was first produced in the UK, at Ford’s famous plant in Dagenham, Essex, in 1977 – the same year it appeared alongside Roger Moore in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
• By 1980, one million Fiestas had been sold worldwide, increasing to two million by 1982.
• This was when it became clear it had won British hearts, becoming the UK’s best-selling car.

Image: Interior plan of an early Fiesta

2. It remained at the top spot here and in Germany for six years until 1986.
3. In 1993, in response to increasing concerns about passenger safety, air bags were made standard in all Fiestas.
4. It had another stint as Britain’s bestseller between 1996 and 1998.

Image: James Bond star Roger Moore in 1977

• UK production ends
• As Ford focused on global domination, the British Fiesta operation came under threat.
• Following rival Rover’s sale for just £10, staff at the Dagenham plant staged protests to warn bosses against job cuts.

Image: Ford workers at plant in Dagenham protest in May 2000 Image: Ford workers leave the Dagenham plant after job losses were announced

2. But while Ford branched out to new markets like China, in mid-2000 it was announced that Fiesta production in the UK would end at Dagenham by 2002.
3. With almost 2,000 redundancies there, production of the Fiesta was moved to Cologne, Germany.
4. In 2013 the Dagenham Ford plant was demolished.

Image: The Ford Fiesta launches in Chongqing, China in January 2003

• Household name popular with celebrities
• But despite it no longer being made in the UK, the Fiesta stayed a popular choice with Britons.
• Around the turn of the millennium it famously brought two people together in holy matrimony.
• RAC worker Carlos Villamore fell in love with Charlotte Wood when he went to repair her broken-down Fiesta after it came to a halt at a roundabout in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Image: Carlos Villamore and Charlotte Wood met when her Ford Fiesta broke down in London

2. They posed for pictures with her beloved car when they got married in June 2000.
3. The following year, 22-year-old art student Marian Downes lost a whole year’s work inside her sister’s car when it was stolen and left burnt out.
4. But instead of being resigned to failure, she decided to make the torched-out vehicle the subject of her final year piece at Sunderland University.

Image: Marian Downes enters a Ford Fiesta as her submission for her art degree in 2001

• More generally it became a popular choice for first-time drivers and benefited from an increase in female commuters.
• The Fiesta also received celebrity endorsements – from the models Nell McAndrew and Jodie Kidd.

Image: Nell McAndrew with the Mark 1 Ford Fiesta in 2006 for the car’s 30th birthday

2. Actor Idris Elba claimed he spent two years building parts for Fiestas at the Dagenham plant before his TV and film career.
3. Throughout the early 2000s TV personalities such as Alesha Dixon and Peter Andre were also involved in new model launches.

Image: Popstar Alesha Dixon unveils new Ford Fiesta Zetec S in July 2008

• Move towards electric threatens future
• Despite new features such as keyless start and hybrid technology, the Fiesta has been trumped by its rivals in recent years.
• Among Ford’s offerings, buyers have opted for newer models such as the Puma, while its rival Vauxhall hit the top spot for best-selling car in the UK with the latest Corsa in 2021.
• According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers, the Fiesta was still the sixth best-selling new car in the UK in September.

2. But more broadly it has failed to appear in the top 10.
3. Deciding to end production next year, Ford is looking towards the 2030 UK ban on new diesel and petrol cars.
4. It has said it will only sell electric vehicles in Europe from that point on.
5. The Fiesta hasn’t been the only victim of the move toward sustainable technology, however, with the Focus recently dropped too – and no electric alternative in the pipeline.
6. ‘Not a big or fancy car – but people loved it’
7. Fiesta lovers bemoaned Wednesday’s announcement on social media after Ford published a montage of the car throughout the decades.
8. “It wasn’t a big car, not a fancy car, but the people loved it,” the clip reads.

The tweet adds: “It’s time to say goodbye to the little car that has touched us all. The big moments, the little moments, and all the ‘firsts’ – thanks for the memories. “As one era ends, another is just getting started – we can’t wait to show you what we’ve got coming.” Responding to it on social media, Britons shared their anecdotes of owning Fiestas – with many asking why the model couldn’t be made electric – and others referring to it as a “British icon”.

Why are Ford Fiestas so popular?

With a great design, loads of features, renowned reliability, and an affordable price, it’s not hard to see why the Ford Fiesta is such a winner. Ford In 2014, the Ford Fiesta emerged as the UK’s bestselling car of all time after exceeding 4,115,000 sales since 1976. More than eight years later and the Nissan Qashqai ranked as the no.1 selling car in the country for 2022, but the Fiesta continues to lead the UK’s automotive market after clocking 25,070 registrations in 2022, giving it the 10th position immediately after another Ford product – the Kuga.

Regardless, the Ford Fiesta has remained one of the top-selling cars worldwide since its introduction in 1976. It has maintained its market dominance many times during its years in production, most recently for the 2020 model year. The changing market trends in favor of SUVs and crossovers explain why the Fiesta lost to the Qashqai and why the Blue Oval is retiring the model this June.

This small car gained immense popularity due to its affordable price tag, fuel economy, and excellent handling. Some say you should never buy a pre-owned Fiesta, but Ford makes enough Fiesta versions to suit every taste at an affordable price. Now that its journey is almost over, this might be the perfect time to get one, especially the sportier-looking Fiesta ST,

Is the Ford Fiesta the most popular car in the UK?

The Ford Fiesta was the most popular used car in the UK in 2022, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), despite pre-owned sales falling by 8.5% because of supply issues. More than 288,000 used Fiestas changed hands, comfortably outselling the second-placed Vauxhall Cora’s 229,454 units.

What is the Ford Fiesta controversy?

Ford Settles Lawsuit over Focus, Fiesta PowerShift Transmission

has proposed a settlement in a $30 million over PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmissions in 2011–2016 and 2012–2016 vehicles. Ford also revealed that it has spent $47.4 million on vehicle buybacks already. A federal judge will rule on the settlement on February 28.

UPDATE 3/6/2020: A federal judge approved the settlement Ford offered in late January wherein the automaker will repurchase thousands of defective Fiesta and Focus vehicles for up to $22,000 each, according to the, Ford has proposed an updated settlement of a minimum of $30 million in cash reimbursement in a class-action lawsuit over problems with dual-clutch automatic transmissions in Focus and Fiesta vehicles.

The settlement could affect as many as two million owners of 2011 to 2016 Fiesta or 2012 to 2016 Focus cars. The manufacturer has also proposed a simplified method for compensation and vehicle buybacks; Ford has already spent $47.4 million on buying back vehicles from customers, according to with the U.S.

District Court for the Central District of California. The settlement is up for approval by a federal judge at a February 28 hearing. “Ford believes the settlement is fair and reasonable, and we anticipate it will be approved by the court following the hearing next month,” Ford spokesman T.R. A Detroit Free Press last July cited internal documents showing that Ford knew the PowerShift transmission was rough but went through with production plans. Customers complain that the transmission shudders and vibrates when accelerating from a stop and that repeated repairs including clutch or entire transmission replacements don’t permanently fix the problem. Staff Editor Colin Beresford, a born and raised metro Detroiter, has been surrounded by the auto industry his entire life. For most of his formative years, he didn’t know who in their right mind would drive anything but an American-made car. He’s passionate about all the ways that people get around, even if it doesn’t involve a car or a driver.

Is Ford discontinuing the Focus?

Unfortunately, Ford will no longer be building Focus. But you can still contact your local dealer about availability and check out our other vehicles that might be perfect for you and your family.

What will replace the Ford Focus?

Is the Ford Focus being discontinued? – Ford has announced that the Ford Focus as we know it will be discontinued in 2025. It’ll be replaced by an all-electric model.

Is Ford Puma bigger than Fiesta?

Even though the Ford Puma and the Ford Fiesta share similar designs, the Ford Puma is 54mm taller, 71mm broader, and has 95mm additional bodywork between the two sets of wheels. The Ford Puma has a 456-litre boot and an additional 80-litre storage box underneath the boot floor.