Earlier today, Ford began production of its new Ford Fiesta in Germany – a small car with a lot riding on it for Ford globally. The Fiesta is set to anchor Ford’s European-designed and engineered lineup in North America when it goes into production in Mexico in 2010.
Ford’s Cologne, Germany, Stamping and Assembly plant, which has produced Fiestas since 1979, was the first of several world-wide manufacturing facility to start cranking out Fiestas. For North America, Ford will begin retooling its Cuautitlan, Mexico, assembly plant from F-Series pickup production to Fiesta production beginning in December. Ford expects the plant to be fully operational by early 2010.
Ford will offer two versions of the Fiesta for North American buyers: A three- and five-door hatchback and a two-door coupe. The Fiesta is designed to be tailored to individual market preferences both inside and out, though it will remain essentially the same vehicle world-wide.
Overseas, Ford will soon begin production in Valencia, Spain, followed by Nanjing, China and Rayong, Thailand. Their ambitious goal is two produce about 1 million cars annually off of the Fiesta’s B-car platform.
