Nanaimo, BC Dealership Blog » Fiesta

Vehicle Mobility Modifications and Equipment with the Ford Mobility Program

Karen Ann — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:42:00 +0000

Increase Your Confidence. Living with a health condition or physical disability shouldn’t limit your mobility. The Ford Mobility program is designed to extend your abilities, allowing you to enhance your personal independence.

Extend your Ability. At Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln and with Ford of Canada, we are committed to understanding and supporting individuals with unique mobility needs.

When you purchase or lease a new Ford of Canada vehicle, you may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 toward the installation of adaptive driving aids or mobility assistance equipment.

Enhance Mobility. Start driving now by customizing a vehicle to suit your needs.

Eligibility modifications and equipment include:

Wheelchair lifts or other lift equipment
Hand or other driving controls
The Early Alert Response System (EARS) for the hearing impaired

In Nanaimo MediChair is approved to offer Mobility upfitter packages.

2011 Ford Employee Pricing with Bryan in Nanaimo

Karen Ann — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 23:01:23 +0000

Bryan says, “People that aren’t driving Ford are missing out, everyone should own one!”

If you missed the Employee Pricing in July and August, you are certainly in luck. Ford has extended the Employee Pricing into September. So you now have until September 30th to take advantage of the pricing meant only for Family!

42% Say Fuel Economy is Key in Vehicle Purchase Decision

Karen Ann — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:26:38 +0000

MPG Matters!

In a 2011 Maritz Research study, 42% of all consumers say fuel economy is an extremely important new vehicle purchase consideration. Which is up 13.5% from 10 years ago. Generation Y (or Milennials) rank fuel economy even higher and rated it most often as having the greatest impact on their vehicle purchases.

Ford and Lincoln products lead in fuel economy in 12 of the vehicle classes. Four Ford models deliver 40 mpg or better, which is a claim no other full-line automaker can match.

For extreme fuel economy be sure to check out the Ford Fiesta, which can go 920 KM on a tank of gas! There’s also the redesigned 2012 Ford Focus, and the last year of the Ranger too! Even our Super Duty trucks get better fuel economy than previous years, and their competitors.

Press Release:

DEARBORN, Mich., June 21, 2011 – More than 40 percent of consumers view fuel economy as “extremely important” when considering a new vehicle purchase today, a new study finds.

What’s more, one third of consumers say fuel economy will have the “greatest impact” on their next vehicle purchase, and younger buyers place an even higher priority on miles per gallon.

“Customers are telling us clean and green vehicles matter most because they are good for people’s wallets and good for our planet,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We hear what they are saying, and that is why Ford is absolutely committed to giving our customers vehicles with top fuel efficiency.”

The annual New Vehicle Customer Study has been conducted since the 1970s by Maritz Research, reaching approximately 200,000 consumers a year. The latest study, conducted in the first quarter, shows:

42 percent of people surveyed say fuel economy is “extremely important” in their decision to purchase new 2011 models – a 13.5 percent increase versus 10 years ago
37 percent indicated they expect fuel economy will have the “greatest impact” on their next new vehicle purchase
Millennials place an even greater importance on fuel economy, with 46 percent saying fuel economy is “extremely important” in the new vehicle purchase decision – the greatest percentage among all age groups. Also, 41 percent say fuel economy will be the top factor in their next vehicle purchase

In addition, while buyers of small vehicles are most likely to put fuel economy toward the top of their list of purchase considerations, fuel economy has jumped in importance in nearly all vehicle segments since 2001, the survey finds. Specifically:

Fuel economy as a purchase reason for B-cars became the top consideration in 2011 (21 percent), up from fourth in 2001 (14 percent)
Fuel economy as a purchase reason for C-cars nearly tripled in importance from 2001 (7 percent) to 2011 (19 percent), going from fifth to first
After ranking 16th in 2001, fuel economy was listed in the top five most important purchase reasons for small utility vehicles in 2011
Fuel economy was listed in the top 10 most important purchase reasons for sports car buyers for the first time in 2011
Fuel economy as a top purchase reason for medium utility vehicles jumped 14 spots from 2001 to 2011
Fuel economy as a top purchase reason for C/D-cars ranked fifth in 2011 after ranking 12th in 2001
The Maritz Research survey results also track with Ford’s 2011 research and sales trends.

Consumer perceptions of Ford delivering “good gas mileage” grew 57 percent from late 2008 to the end of the first quarter of 2011, according to Ford’s latest brand health study.

Plus, Ford’s small vehicle sales have been hitting record levels in the U.S.

Ford’s two all-new small cars combined had sales of 29,423 in May, up 74 percent versus a year ago. It was Ford’s largest small car month since May 2008, with Fiesta sales at 7,120 and Focus sales at 22,303, up 32 percent versus a year ago.

“Since December, we have seen industry-wide small car purchases increase from 19 percent to 24 percent,” said George Pipas, Ford sales analyst. “It drives home the point that consumers are looking at more fuel-efficient choices.”

That applies to larger vehicles, too. Eighty percent of customers buying Ford’s hot-selling Fusion midsize sedan in May chose the four-cylinder engine over the V6 – up from 50 percent when the vehicle debuted in 2006. Also in May, for the first time in decades more than 55 percent of Ford F150s sold were equipped with V6 rather than V8 engines.

Ford Motor Company has 12 vehicles leading their sales segments with best-in-class fuel economy and four models that deliver 40 mpg or more – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.

Consumer habits shape decisions

For some, the idea of more ethical consumption is driving the desire for higher-mpg vehicles.

“Consumers are taking a logical approach to making their lives better,” said Sheryl Connelly, manager of Ford Global Trends and Futuring. “Choosing a car that lessens their impact on the environment as well as their wallets can really create peace of mind.”

Additionally, Ford’s family of electrified vehicles – including the Ford Transit Connect Electric, Focus Electric as well as the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid coming next year – offers plenty of choice for customers who want a vehicle that supports their ethical beliefs while also delivering quality, style and innovation.

Meeting customer desires

Ford invested billions beginning in 2006 in researching and developing new fuel-efficient engines, transmissions and electrified vehicles, working to make fuel economy affordable for millions of people. Today, Ford’s fuel economy standouts include:

Ford Fiesta: With the six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, Fiesta is EPA-certified at 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg city, and delivers class-leading fuel economy
All-new Ford Focus: Delivers 40 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city through its advanced six-speed automatic transmission
All-new Ford Explorer V6: Fuel economy ratings are EPA-certified at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, a 25 percent improvement over the previous V6 model
Ford Mustang V6: Its high-revving 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 31 mpg; Mustang V6 is the first car in history to deliver the combination of 305 horsepower and more than 30 mpg

New technology saves fuel

In 2010, Ford launched nine new engines and six new six-speed transmissions, and the company is on track to deliver fuel-saving six-speed transmissions across all of Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles by the end of 2012.

Ford also is expanding its industry-leading range of fuel-efficient powertrains in North America with the addition of a new 1.0-liter EcoBoost™ three-cylinder – the smallest engine Ford has ever built – and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Many of Ford’s new powertrains include fuel-saving technologies such as:

Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), which enables the engine to operate at peak efficiency by continually adjusting the precise moment the intake and exhaust valves open
Gasoline direct injection (GDI), which improves efficiency by raising the compression ratio and by using precise amounts of fuel placed directly in the combustion chamber
Turbocharging, which uses exhaust gases to pressurize the engine cylinders with a more dense mixture of fuel and air, increasing power
EcoBoost, which uses direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to allow four-cylinder engines to deliver the power of V6s and V6s to deliver the power of V8s. EcoBoost engines save fuel in part because they burn less fuel, and because they weigh less than the larger-displacement engines they replace
Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), which eliminates drag on the engine by replacing the hydraulic pump with an electric motor. EPAS, available on Ford Mustang, F-150, Fiesta, the new Focus and other vehicles, improves fuel economy by approximately 4 percent

Raising Money for School with Drive One 4 UR School

Karen Ann — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:35:28 +0000

Woodland Secondary School Basketball Team raised $1,820 with a total of 91 test drives taken in a number of New Ford and Lincoln products: Check out our Facebook Photo Album of the event!

As seen in the Nanaimo Daily News:

Nanaimo’s Steve Marshall Ford raised more than $1,800 for the Woodlands Secondary School’s senior girls basketball team in a unique fundraiser held last weekend.

The “Drive 1 4ur School” fundraiser saw the car company give $20 to the basketball team for every test drive that was taken in their cars during the event.

Carl MacDonald, coach of the basketball team, said there were 91 test drives taken and he really appreciates Steve Marshall Ford and the company’s contribution to the team.

Sherdan White, the company’s promotions manager, said the idea was to put more people behind the wheels of Ford vehicles in the hopes they will buy.

FREE Vancouver Canucks Jersey!! Get some Canucks fever!

Karen Ann — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:28:50 +0000

Updated with new video, thank you Nanaimo. All 100 Jerseys are gone, and we have food and money for the Salvation Army piled up!!

Updated with new video the morning of Thursday, April 28th.

We wanted to show our incomparable support for the Canucks, find a way to help our local food bank, and have some fun during the play offs that are happening right now… Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln acquired 100 Canuck jerseys!

We are giving away a Canucks jersey (no purchase necessary) to anyone who brings in a non-perishable food item or a monetary donation for the Salvation Army and test drives a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle on April 28th or 29th.

That’s it! So easy (and rewarding) to Make a Difference in Nanaimo! Get your FREE Canucks jersey:

Bring a non-perishable food item, or a monetary donation, for the Salvation Army
Test drive a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle
There are only 100 jerseys

Limit: One per household. Must be 19 or older.

Impress Your Valentine with These Cool Date Night Features from Ford

Karen Ann — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:30:00 +0000

Just about everyone remembers the car they rode in on their first date. Was it a convertible with a great sound system, or a boat on wheels with lots of space? Whatever it was, both men and women agree that cars can make or break that first and often memorable impression. “A person’s car is most definitely an extension of themselves,” said Ellen Fein, dating expert and best-selling co-author of The Rules. “You often get one chance to make a right impression, and your car is one of the first personal things your date sees about you.”

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the all-important role that cars play in modern romance can’t be overlooked. And it’s not just the make and model of a car that matter. The features inside your ride can have a considerable impact on the setting and mood.

and not with this Ford American Idol commercial

Cramping My Style

Take interior space, for example. Cramped, tight spaces can really put a damper on a comfortable “car date.” But you don’t have to have a big car to get some elbow room.

The all-new Focus from Ford brings small car interior space to a new level, rivaling larger vehicles. It offers more shoulder room than an Audi A4 and more front headroom than a Toyota Camry. In the spacious second row, the new Focus provides more hip room than the Audi or Toyota.

Sweet sounds

There’s nothing like good tunes to spice things up. Music is essential on a date. Wouldn’t it be even better if you could simply ask your car to select the song your date wants to hear from your custom playlist on an iPod or MP3 player?

Ford’s next-generation voice control can interpret a single voice command, such “USB, play artist, Lifehouse” to change a song if the mood calls for something soft and slow. Connectivity for portable devices and media players, are available through two USB ports, three RCA jacks (video, right and left audio) and SD card reader.

The setting gets even better when the songs are played on a premium Sony® 10-speaker audio system with subwoofer found on most Ford models.

Careful component matching and tuning for the vehicle has ensured that the premium sound system delivers outstanding sound quality. System performance is enhanced by the center speaker, which provides highly authentic staging, while the subwoofer ensures that bass sounds have a full, rich quality.

Mood Lighting

Almost as important as mood music is mood lighting.

Ford’s advanced ambient lighting system uses LED technology to provide precise pools of illumination in the foot wells, cup holders, door handle releases and map pockets. The driver can choose between seven different accent colors and set the brightness level to suit his or her mood.

A search mode can also be activated, switching the lighting to a bright white color, helping occupants to find misplaced objects within the car.

The right kind of lighting, such as Ford’s new LED Crystal Blue interior lighting, ensures consistent levels of color and brightness are delivered in the right places and at the right times to set the right mood.

Roof with a view

If gazing at the stars is your idea of a romantic car date, you can while staying warm, dry and bug free while viewing from the inside of your car. Several of Ford’s crossover and sports utility models can be equipped with the panoramic Vista Roof. The large glass moon roof provides a grand view of the sky.

The roof features a large glass panel. The oversized front panel provides open-air touring. Close the forward roof and the enormous skylights allow natural light to flood the cabin while protecting it, and you, from the elements. Or sky-gazing on a hot, sunny day? Twin power-operated cloth shades can be closed simultaneously to block nearly 100 percent of ultra-violet rays.

Chillin’

Need to keep beverages chilled? Ford’s Flex cross-over vehicle boasts a class-exclusive refrigerated console that is mounted between the second-row captain’s chairs. The available refrigerator can cool up to seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles from room temperature to 41 degrees in a little more than two-and-a-half hours – 40 percent faster than a standard home refrigerator.

Intimate Interiors

Attention to detail, including the look, touch, feel and operation of all controls, features and surfaces also help define the setting. Materials that feel luxurious to the touch, comfortable seats and a welcoming interior contribute to the appeal and allure of any interior space, including a car.

For example, Ford uses authentic chrome plating on the interior trim parts, such as door handle release, rather than painted coatings to improve the look and feel of its car interiors. Optimizing the softness and feel of key customer touch points, such as the steering wheel, door armrests and center console, also provides an overall feeling of comfort and style.

Peace and Tranquillity

An ideal date night is one without distractions or disruptions from noise generated by the external environment, such as traffic noise, pedestrian chatter, and other business taking place outside of the car.

Soundproofing cars to shut out distracting outside noises offers both privacy and tranquillity inside.

Windshields with a special acoustic layer and thicker side and rear glass on Ford cars and trucks significantly reduce high-frequency noises. Sound-absorbing carpets and self-expanding foams also help absorb sound, as well as help maintain a more consistent sound level distribution inside the vehicle.

So while your Ford car can help set a mood, it can’t guarantee a second date.

Automotive Journalist’s Top Finalists

Karen Ann — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:08:39 +0000

In the ”Canadian Car of the Year” category, the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel will duke it out until the very end in hope of winning the title.

Meanwhile, the finalists for the ”Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year” award are the Ford Edge, Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Touareg.

More at Auto123.com

Ken Block Gymkhana

Karen Ann — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:33:46 +0000

Love that his e brake says Block on it!!! I think I want a Fiesta a little bit more. Thanks to TJ in parts for sending this video our way!!

How Much Fun is the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Karen Ann — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:21:11 +0000

According to the National Post:

At the end of the test, I came away as impressed with the Canadian Fiesta as I was smitten with its European counterpart after the first drive. It is comfortable, well conceived, has ample power, two solid transmission choices and it handles as well as anything in the segment. In short, it is a terrific little car that’s going to serve its future owner base very well.

Ford Fiesta Earns Top 2010 Safety Pick

Karen Ann — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 23:39:15 +0000

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first mini-car to earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since the introduction of a new roof strength test. The award applies to vehicles built after July 2010. The Fiesta is the eighth Ford Motor Company vehicle to earn the Institute’s top designation – breaking a tie with Toyota for the most “Top Safety Picks” of any automaker. Watch the test here.

Seriously, we needed a test! We thought Tom’s “Will it Blend” failure agains the Fiesta’s Boron steel proved that it was strong!! ;)

Ken vs. Kimi, Super Special in Portugal

Karen Ann — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:28:10 +0000

In front of the packed Algarve Stadium, Block and Gelsomino lined up against Kimi Räikkönen and his co-driver Kaj Lindström for two laps of the 1km course.

Off the line, Block and the 2011 Ford Fiesta took the jump and from that point until the last turn the two were neck and neck, swapping minor leads but eventually crossing the finish line at the exact same time (2:11:0).

Monster Rally & Ken Block Site

Ford Fiesta RallyCross Tribute to Pikes Peak Run

Karen Ann — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:02:33 +0000

Ride along with rally champion Marcus Gronholm as he storms up the Pikes Peak course in the Ford Fiesta RallyCross in an homage to the famous Climb Dance Pikes Peak run. Plus the original for comparison below after the jump!

10 Coolest Cars under $18,000 | Ford Fiesta is #1

Karen Ann — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:44:12 +0000

The new 2011 Ford Fiesta is one of this year’s Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, according to editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, who describe Ford’s new small car as “better looking, nicer inside and even more fun” than the Honda Fit – one of Fiesta’s main competitors.

Cars making the 2010 list were chosen based on safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort and technology. They also were judged on fun-to-own and fun-to-drive factors – which kbb.com calls that “je ne sais quoi that separates the dullards from the brilliant.”

Read the entire article on KBB.com.

It’s a Pretty Big Deal! 2011 Ford Fiesta

Karen Ann — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:44:00 +0000

Introducing the new Ford Fiesta. With 40 MPG, Push Button Start, and SYNC along with other class-exclusive technology. It’s a pretty big deal.

2011 Ford Fiesta vs Hyundai and Nissan Versa

Michael — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:38:26 +0000

Michael Melenchuk of Steve Marshall Ford tried video taping some big moments during the comparison drives, thanks to him we have these tidbits about the Fiesta’s competition that include “I thought the front end was going to fall out” and “this is bad, what are we in”.

My big impression on the new Ford Fiesta is how Ford is re-branding its image, and it starts with the European Ford Fiesta. The public, when they see and drive the Fiesta will have 4 distinct impression :

Quality – from the optional leather, construction of the body (Boron was used for strength), over-all fit and finish.
Smart technology – From the 6-speed Power transmission, to the voice activated Sync the Fiesta will be one of the most technologically advanced cars on the planet for a fantastic price.
Safety – class exclusive 7 airbags (including the drivers knee airbag), advanced body material for crashes and finally
Green footprint – the Fiesta is projected to get 55MPG in an AUTOMATIC, extremely low emissions, soya foam seats and more!

Move over Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and others, there is a major player about to dominate the sub-compact class. The Ford Fiesta, in Europe, was the highest selling car of ANY class last year. It has won every major European automobile award there is. We expect the same to happen here in Canada.

Dollar for dollar, it is just amazing what you get in the Fiesta.

The Little Car with a Huge Future – The Province

Karen Ann — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:26:16 +0000

While we aren’t able to link to the article about the Ford Fiesta on The Province (as we are without a subscription), we’d love to lay out some quotes that Bob McHugh made a point of listing as “Surprises”.

It was definitely nice to read great things about our little car! Did you know you can preorder your Ford Fiesta right now? Give us a call: 1.888.571.0953.

The first surprise was a Canadian base price of $12,999 for the S trim level of the four-door sedan — $2,000 below the U.S. base price. And that’s a refreshing change. The Canadian car does not come with standard air conditioning, but other than that they are identical.

Another surprise for buyers will be the performance of the optional PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission. It’s basically two manual transmissions in one that shifts electronically, similar to an Audi DSG transmission.

A hidden surprise that hopefully a Fiesta owner never gets to use is an excellent passive safety package. More than 50 per cent of the welded body structure of Fiesta is made from high-strength steel and Boron steel (which has four times the strength of regular steel) is used in critical areas, such as roof pillars and side intrusion beams.

Ken Block’s Ford Fiesta

Karen Ann — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:03:41 +0000

MonsterWorldRallyTeam.com

Ken Block’s rally career began in 2005. His skill and car control became quickly apparent and Block aptly nabbed Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship. Since then, Block has continued to race in the series, boasting a healthy number of podium appearances, as well as X Games medals. In addition to his performance in the car, Block has been a driving force in shedding light on the sport within the United States. Block co-founded DC Shoes, a worldwide leader in performance skateboarding shoes and a renowned action sports brand. His keen branding and marketing acumen not only elevated DC to their current eminent status, but has allowed Block to achieve global fame as a national rally driver through his wildly successful viral video campaigns. Ad Age named his “Gymkhana TWO” the No. 4 Viral Video of 2009.

Owner’s Manual and Towing Guides

Karen Ann — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:15:53 +0000

Towing Guides for Ford vehicles are available on-line.

Whatever your towing need is, there is a Ford vehicle to fill it. With many years of RV and towing experience, Ford has earned a reputation for providing quality and reliable RV products.

The Towing Guides are designed to provide helpful information about towing with Ford. For additional towing information pertaining to your Ford vehicle, refer to the vehicle’s Owner Manual.

The Owner’s Manuals are also available online!

Now you can get all the information you need from the very important Manual right at your computer, including setting your clock (it’s almost fall), programming your radio stations, towing and hauling capacities, and your service maintenance schedule!

Will it Blend? Featuring Boron Steel!

Karen Ann — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:44:41 +0000

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is built with Safety in mind… Tom Dickson puts the Boron Steel through it’s paces, and boy is it STRONG!!

The European Ford Fiesta has arrived in the US

Karen Ann — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:34:29 +0000

Over 140 Ford Fiestas from Ford’s Cologne Assembly Plant in Europe, arrived on U.S. shores this week as Ford continues to build awareness for their new small car through the Fiesta Movement. The Fiesta Movement is designed to spread the word online and generate excitement among Millennials about Ford’s new global small car leading up to the 2010 North American launch.

More than 3,300 Fiesta Movement “agent” applications received and total views of video submissions on YouTube exceed 580,000
The new Fiesta already is the No. 2 selling car in Europe and is on track for its best sales month yet in March. Early Fiesta sales in China and other Asia-Pacific markets are exceeding expectations

Press Release:

DEARBORN, Mich., March 26, 2009 – The arrival today on U.S. shores of 100 new Ford Fiestas marks an important step in the rollout of the first of Ford Motor Company’s new generation of global small cars.

The European-built Fiestas arrived today at seaports in Baltimore and Oxnard, Calif., and will be loaned for six months to 100 young trendsetters chosen from more than 3,300 applicants as part of the “Fiesta Movement.” Those picked to drive the European Fiesta will share their experiences online through social media sites such as Facebook, Flickr and YouTube to build buzz and anticipation for the vehicle’s North American launch early next year.

The Fiesta already is a hit in Europe and Asia, where it went on sale last year and earlier this year, respectively. The new Fiesta already is the second-best selling vehicle of any make across Ford’s 19 major European markets, and is headed for its best month yet in Europe in March. Early response from buyers in China and other Asia-Pacific markets already is outstripping company expectations.

“In the midst of the toughest economy many of us have ever seen, the Fiesta is becoming a legitimate global success story,” said Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “The Fiesta Movement is all about introducing a new kind of small car to a new generation of buyers.”

The 100 five-door Fiestas coming to the U.S. were built at Ford’s Cologne Assembly Plant in Europe. For many U.S. customers, it will be their first chance to see and read about the small car that is one of three finalists for the World Car of the Year award that will be announced next month at the New York International Auto Show.

“We’re really excited to be able to get our U.S. customers behind the wheel and experience this car,” said Sam De La Garza, small car marketing manager. “It’s all part of a plan to build excitement about the new Fiesta with the next generation of Ford customers.”

Designed and developed as Ford’s first global car, the Fiesta takes the nameplate’s three-decade heritage to a new level with its eye-catching kinetic design, widely acclaimed driving dynamics and unexpected refinement.

Before coming to the U.S., special permission was granted by the EPA and the European-spec vehicles were modified for American drivers.

The language in the vehicles’ instrument panel message center was changed from German to English and the speedometers were changed from kilometers to miles per hour. The voice piping from the Bluetooth-enabled vehicle, however, retains its British accent. All the Fiesta Movement vehicles feature keyless entry with push-button start, EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System, 16” or 17” wheels, and many other features typically found on larger or premium vehicles.

Agents on a mission
Beginning in late spring, the chosen participants, or “Fiesta Movement” agents, will be asked to complete monthly missions in their vehicles, capture their experiences digitally and share them with Ford and others through social networks.

Ford is aiming the Fiesta Movement at Millennials, the next-generation consumer group born between 1979 and 1985 that will total 70 million new drivers in 2010 – the largest class of any generation. Making up 28 percent of the driving age population, the potential size of the market serves as an opportunity for Ford to connect with a group that hasn’t yet established brand loyalty and is very connected to the use of technology and social networking.

For Millennials, social media is a part of everyday life. Statistics show that for those born after 1980, 62 percent of the content they consume comes from someone they know personally. The missions will be designed based on monthly themes that will take them to new places, to meet new people and to experience new things in their Fiesta.

Collecting data about how the car performs in the U.S. market is an integral part to the vehicle’s launch. With this program, Ford aims to gather valuable customer input on how they perceive the vehicle prior to the next year’s North American launch. It’s the first opportunity Ford has ever had to get a wealth of feedback so early on prior to launch – unique in content and unfiltered from a multitude of sources.

The movement already is catching on, with more than 3,300 agent applications to the www.fiestamovement.com website and 580,000 views of applicant videos on YouTube.

About Fiesta
In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding performance, design and value. The new Ford Fiesta takes that three-decade heritage to a new level with eye-catching styling and exemplary driving dynamics for U.S. consumers.

The vehicle is also winning awards, including being named Car of the Year 2009 by the authoritative What Car? magazine in the U.K. and was awarded a prestigious “red dot” award for international product design.

In 2010, the Fiesta will be produced at plants in Germany, Spain, Mexico, Thailand and China for sale in markets around the world. The Fiesta for the North American market will be built at Ford’s assembly plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico.