After a vehicle launch outlasted only by the still gestating Chevrolet Volt , Ford has finally begun production of the 2011 U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta at its Cuautitlán stamping and assembly plant n Mexico. Ford Fiesta’s, both in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback trim, are expected to begin arriving on dealer lots by June.
Ford first launched its media blitz on U.S. consumers exactly one year ago with the start of its Fiesta Movement social media campaign, and now the Fiesta has finally entered production on its way to a product launch in June.
Leftlane shared its first official review of the U.S.-spec Fiesta just a few weeks ago, but we first shared our thoughts on the Euro-spec Fiesta almost one year ago to the day. In all, Leftlane has logged 17,000 miles in the Fiesta in combined Euro and U.S. trim, likely making us the most familiar outlet with this new (to America) subcompact.
Largely because of the Fiesta Movement, along with the excitement over an American automaker promising to bring a “premium” subcompact car to U.S. soil, the Fiesta has found itself on top of or at least on numerous lists as the most anticipated car launch of 2010. Ford has a lot riding on the success of the Fiesta, as this subcompact represents Ford’s first truly new plan of a global product with a premium approach and premium pricing.
In order to produce the Fiesta at the Cuautitlán plant, Ford first had to transform the plant from producing trucks to accommodate the subcompact car. “Our investment in Cuautitlán brings ‘ONE Ford’ global vehicles to life in North America and allows more customers to experience even more of our high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president of Canada, Mexico and South America operations and global marketing.
Ford’s Mexico-sourced vehicles have historically enjoyed quality ratings on par or higher than their counterparts built in the U.S., as evidenced by the simultaneous construction of the Focus in the U.S. and Mexico. The Focus models built in Mexico had – statistically speaking – fewer assembly-related issues.
