We aren't automotive executives, we just play them on the internet. If we were the real thing, one of our first decisions would be to get all the great small cars that are offered overseas into American showrooms. One of those small cars would undoubtedly be the Mazda2. Sales numbers in Europe indicate that buyers love the new little machine, and those figures stand only to climb as the automaker continues to roll out a new three-door model and diesel engines. So, if it's such a solid car, why isn't it sold in the U.S. market? For one reason, Mazda is concerned that having the smaller Mazda2 here could eat into sales of its hugely successful Mazda3. We wonder, though, if having two pretty big sellers isn't better than having one really good seller. Isn't variety the spice of life? In any case, Ford will soon be selling some of its small Euro-cars in our market, and the Mazda shares much in common with them so, in a way, we'll soon be getting our wish.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

As the new Ford Fiesta goes on sale in Europe, on of the highlights of the lineup is the new ecoNetic model that gets a combined fuel efficiency rating of 63.5 mpg (U.S.) on the EU cycle. Yes, I know the European cycle is different and testing the same on the EPA cycle would probably yield something closer to 50 mpg, but the highway rating would probably still be up around 60 mpg with its 1.6L diesel engine. Ford isn't planning to offer the ecoNetic when the Fiesta launches here because the bean counters don't seem to think Americans would pay $25,000 for such car. I agree with Richard Truett at Automotive News that Ford may well be wrong on this point. If nothing else, just having the bragging rights of offering a car that gets 60 mpg or more on the highway would be worth it to Ford, and probably worth $25,000 to a decent number of buyers. In the past, automakers have offered stripped-down small cars that sold in low volumes just so they could advertise the low ball prices. Now would seem the ideal time to go the other direction and offer a super mileage version at a slightly premium (no more than what a well-equipped gas MINI costs now) price. What do you think? Cast your vote!


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Our Autoblog colleague Noah was in Europe last week to get a preview of one of the new cars we'll be seeing in American Ford showrooms in a little more than a year. The new Fiesta is now on sale in Europe and production is due to start at a soon-to-be-former F-Series truck factory toward the end of next year. The Fiesta marks the beginning of Ford's move to consolidate its worldwide product lineup and bring the European styling language to the U.S. market. Noah found the 1.6L diesel-engined version he tried first provided decent performance from its 90 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, it appears Ford has no interest in offering small diesel engines to American buyers at this time.

When we get the Fiesta in early 2010, we'll probably only get the 120 hp 1.6L gas engine. While the gas engine has lower torque compared to the diesel with only 112 lb-ft, Noah found driving the petrol Fiesta pleasurable, with a capable chassis, and good steering and brake feel. If Ford avoids watering down the Fiesta for the U.S., and all indications are that they will, this could be a very capable competitor to the Honda Fit and superior to the Toyota Yaris.

[Source: Autoblog]

Here in North America we still have to wait about another 15 months to get our paws on Ford's new Fiesta, but it goes on sale in the UK in October. Britain's Channel 4 recently ran its first road test of the new mini car and was quite pleased with the results. With its nearly 100 lb lighter weight but stiffer chassis it handles better than the outgoing model and reportedly has good steering feedback in spite of the electric power steering. The 1.6L diesel provides reasonable if not speedy 0-62 mph run of 11.9 seconds with quiet and refined behavior. Over here we will probably only get the 120 hp 1.6L gas engine which drops the acceleration to 9.9 seconds. The reviewer liked the interior design and felt the cost reduction elements were kept out of sight while the parts that you touch and see were nicely executed. That 1.6L gas engine is rated at 40 mpg (U.S.) combined on the EU cycle so we'll probably get something in the low to mid 30s. Eventually Ford will probably also offer us a 1.2L EcoBoost engine that should do even better. Thanks to Queen for the tip!

[Source: Channel 4]

The new Ford Fiesta that we'll be getting early in 2010 is just now going on sale in Europe and it looks like it will be a better value for customers than the outgoing model. Like the related Mazda 2, Ford has managed to reduce the weight of the new Fiesta by about 100 lbs. Apparently that hasn't hurt the safety ratings of the car in the UK, as three of the models keep the same insurance rating and others move to lower groups. That should yield insurance savings of about $80. When it comes to buying, the entry model is now about $300 cheaper than an similarly-equipped variant of the old car. Resale values are also expected to jump by 7.9 percent or $2,000. All of this bodes extremely well for the car's entrance into Ford's home market.

[Source: Ford]

Ford has everything ready to start selling the new Fiesta in Europe next Fall. Prices start at €11,700 for gasoline variants, and €13,700 for diesels (prices shown are for the French market). If you want 5 doors instead of 3, you have to add €500 to the sticker price. Six different trims(Ambiente, Trend, ECOnetic, Ghia, Titanium and Sport, or Zetec S in the UK) and six powerplants (4 gasoline and 2 diesel) will be available.

All gasoline engines produce CO₂ under 140 g/km and start with two 1.25L options, with 60 or 82 hp. An available 1.4L is good for 96 hp. All three have emissions ratings under 135 g/km. The sportiest version has a brand new 1.6L four-cylinder rated at 118 hp that achieves 41.6 mpg (US), while keeping CO₂ emissions at 139 g/km. Regarding diesels, there's a 1.4L good for 68 hp as well as a 1.6L with 90 hp, producing CO₂ under 110 g/km. The ECOnetic version further improves the car's consumption level to 62.5 mpg (U.S.) and boasts CO₂ emissions of 98 g/km.


[Source: Autoplus]

Click image above for a photo gallery of the Fiesta Zetec S

We're only a week away from the British Motor Show and we've got some info on the sportier version of the new Fiesta. The Zetec S will be officially unveiled in London with a brand new 1.6L four cylinder rated at 118hp. In the Fiesta the new engine will get you up to 62 mph in 9.9 seconds. Along the way the Fiesta Zetec S consumes gasoline at the rate of 41.6 mpg. Carbon dioxide emissions are rated at 139 g/km. All of this bodes well for what we can expect when the Fiesta debuts in North America in early 2010. Like the Mazda2 with which it shares its platform the Fiesta is actually lighter than the previous generation model. More than half of the Feista structure is made of high strength steel giving it increased strength at a lower mass. Ford still hasn't revealed which engines wil go into the US Fiesta but this 1.6L seems likely to be part of the lineup.


[Source: AutoExpress]

Ford's eagerly-anticipated new Fiesta is still around 18 months from its US launch, but Ford is already testing the cae here in the States. The initial plan was to only offer Americans the four-door sedan, but Ford recently announced that the three- and five-door hatchbacks would be offered as well. Fiestas for the North American market will be built at Ford's Cuautitlán, Mexico assembly plant beginning in early 2010. The other day, a reader let us know that he spotted one of the prototype Fiestas tooling around on I-75 in southeast Michigan and was lucky enough to have a camera handy. Keep in mind that this particular car is covered in heavy camouflage to prevent all the non-car nuts from seeing what it is. The production model will look very much like the Verve concept that appeared at auto shows earlier this year. Thanks to Andrew for the tip!

Ford has finally made it official: the upcoming Fiesta for the North American market will be built at the company's assembly plant in Cuautitlán, Mexico. Job 1 for Ford's new B-class car will be coming up in early 2010. The plant near Mexico City currently builds F-Series pickups for the Mexican market and will be re-tooled starting later this year after production of the current generation trucks winds down. Once the revamp of the factory is complete, it will supply Fiestas for all North American markets. As part of the announcement, Ford also confirmed that U.S. customers will also get three body flavors of the Fiesta to choose from. In addition to the originally planned four-door sedan, we will indeed get both the three- and five-door hatchbacks. No word yet on which powertrains we'll get for the Fiesta.

Ford also announced that the Chihuahua Engine Plant that builds four cylinder engines right now will add a new line to produce diesels for the light and medium duty trucks. This would be the 4.4L diesel V8 that is being added to the F-Series lineup next year.

We still have another year and a half or so before the new Ford Fiesta will be available at North American Ford dealerships but we may know today where the little car will be built. Ford is expected to announce today that Fiestas for the the U.S. and Canadian markets will be built at one of Ford's two Mexican assembly plants. When Ford launched the Fiesta at the Geneva Motor Show, they announced that the cars would be produced in Europe and Asia for those markets but had not yet decided where to source the North American edition.

Also undecided at this point is which body styles we will get here. The four-door sedan will definitely be available, but there is also a great deal of interest in the stylish hatchback model. Ford made a last minute decision to display the hatchback version of the Concept Verve at the Detroit Auto Show this year and it drew a lot of positive response. With stylish, well-equipped hatchbacks like the Honda Fit gaining in popularity, a similar Fiesta is a strong possibility. Now they just need to pull the program forward and bring this car to market as soon as possible. Along with the upcoming Fusion hybrid, the Fiesta could be a major shot in the arm for Ford in North America and they need it now.


[Source: Reuters]

It's not uncommon for owners of the late, lamented Geo Metro XFI, which USA Today refers to as "nerdy," to report fuel mileage rivaling and sometimes beating hybrids such as the Toyota Prius. The lightweight structure and very small engines - just three-cylinders and 49 horsepower for the Metro - allow these little runabouts to post great mileage figures. With gas prices at an all-time high, the efficiency of vehicles like the Metro, Ford Fiesta and Apsire and Hyundai Excel is raising their prices to levels sometimes above what they cost new. Don't believe us? Check out this recent eBay auction for a low mileage Metro and see for yourself.

So, should you be running out and purchasing a used fuel-sipper of your very own? Maybe, but consider that these vehicles would not be able to meet the safety regulations required by law today and the fact that they would likely not pass current emissions requirements. Additionally, the fuel savings of these vehicles makes for pretty poor performance. At AutoblogGreen, we're apt to overlook some of these deficiencies in the name of efficiency, but we also recognize that older vehicles such as these can present problems to their future owners. Our advice, therefore, would be to look hard in order to find a good deal if you're really interested in the ultimate in fuel savings, and remember not to discount the first-generation Toyota Prius in your search.

[Source: eBay Motors, U.S. News]

The first decent spy photos of the production version of Ford's new B-Car have turned up on the interwebs. The 2009 replacement for the Ford Fiesta which may well be renamed the Verve after the concept car that will appear on stage in Frankfurt this week has turned up in camo. Unlike the test model, the prototype is a four door hatchback but elements of the Verve can be seen.

The belt-line sweeps upward toward the back and the headlights stretch back along the fender line almost to the base of the A-pillars. The air intake in the front bumper appears almost as large as the concept but a good chunk of it is blocked off by the license plate mount. The production model will probably take to the stage in Geneva next March and go on sale in Europe later in the year, followed by availability in the US.

[Source: Jalopnik]

In the magical world of commercials, people are for some reason allowed to act in ways that would get you kicked out of all sorts of establishments. Take for example Lisa Snowdon, a UK television presenter and model, who Ford convinced to don a dress made of money. The outfit was designed by a student at the London College of Fashion and is made out of four hundred GBP5 notes.

Apropos to AutoblogGreen, it should be noted that this dress is made from 2,000 GBP - the amount Ford estimates someone would save if they drove a new Ford Fiesta diesel in London for a year. Both the 1.4 TDCi and the 1.6 TDCi Fiestas escape paying the city congestion charge and are hit with just 35 GBP of road taxes a year (compared to 300 for some larger vehicles). The better news is that the 1.4 TDCi emits 119 g/km and the 1.6 TDCi 116 g/km.

During the photoshoot, Snowdon said: "It is important to me to be aware of my carbon footprint and to keep motoring costs down. I'm a busy girl - in and out of London all the time - and so saving myself GBP2,000 on travel means more in my pocket for the good things in life - like a spending spree!" All right, time to throw her out...

There's another picture of Snowdon in the green and Ford's announcement after the break.

Related:

• Embargo leakage: First images of the Ford Fiesta for Frankfurt

[Source: Ford of Britain]

Ford is going to build an engine plant in India to produce up to 100,000 diesel engines a year. The plan is manufacture the 1.4L Duratorq diesels for use in the Endeavour sport utility and Fiesta car. The Endeavour uses only diesels and 70 percent of the Fiesta sales are also oil-burners. Ford currently builds 60,000 vehicles a year at their plant in Chennai. Ford also buys some gas engines from a division of Hindustan Motors for use in local market cars. Ford may also eventually launch a diesel version of the Fusion in the Indian market.

[Source: Reuters]

The Ford Fiesta, Ford's top-selling small car, turned 30 in August, and sales of the fuel-efficient compact were up seven percent (15,600 more unites) for 2006 compared to the same time frame in 2005. Ford updated the Fiesta's look and color and trim choices last year. The interior was updated as well, so drivers can spend the money they saved on petrol to get a Bluetooth phone that connects to the audio system. Ford says it had strong sales recently (of many models, not just the Fiesta) in Germany, the U.K., Russia and Turkey.

Related:

• Ford Fiesta gets doused with paint by Britain's Next Top Model(s)
• U.S. sales figures to the contrary, Ford can sell lots of small, efficient cars

[Source: Ford]