Ford Fiesta

Here’s something of an oddball.  Among all the tough SUVs and pick-ups (the Ford Lynx Centennial Edition included) present at the show, the Fiesta is the only one that’s decisively cute and cheeky.  Though not radical and segment busting like the EcoSport, the Fiesta is Ford’s much needed Global sub-compact fighter.  This car represents the company’s European design direction: small, affordable cars with decent handling and a frugal engine.

Literally lifting its name from the Spanish equivalent of a street party, the Fiesta should have no problem making its home on our roads.  The compact body is just perfect for zipping around Makati at even the deadliest of rush hours.  Add to that the ability to park just about anywhere without a ‘No Parking’ sign tacked on.

In Europe, the Fiesta has already sold 10 million examples since its debut 25 years ago, and has always been on the British buyer’s favorite list.  This generation’s no different: though not exactly radical like the Focus, the Fiesta is a safe gamble for Ford—who simply softened up the former while keeping a degree of modernity inside and out.

Like most sub-compact hatchbacks in Europe now, the Fiesta is powered by a modest choice of smaller powerplants topped off by a 1.6 Zetec which it shares with the EcoSport.  They have enough frugality to take you to the moon and back and enough seating and loading configurations to shock even the hardcore interior decorator.

However, among the three concepts at the Ford Centennial Motorshow, the Fiesta would probably have the most difficult time gaining popularity and acceptance among the general Filipino populace.  Don’t get it wrong—the Fiesta is a well-designed vehicle.  Nonetheless, most still don’t get the practicality of a hatchback over a sedan, let alone its small size. Moreover, it’s compact size may relay the message of it being a ‘girl’s car’.

This is especially true with the emergence of the Ford EcoSport.  Although Europeans don’t see the point of having a small vehicle with a raised ride height, this is just about perfect for Philippine roads which require tougher suspension settings coupled with some limited flood passing ability.  More than that, the EcoSport presents itself as better niche vehicle, which Ford could very well exploit.

But, whatever vehicle or vehicles Ford would decide to localize for the ASEAN or probably even the Philippine market, the future looks bright.  For a company that’s celebrating its 100^th year anniversary, it seems that there’s no shortage when it comes to innovation. Here's to the next one hundred!

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