I was in a dream... I was actually in California, so I'd say that's about right. Yes, ladies and gentleman, the longest social networking ramp-up in history is finally over! The North American Fiesta is here!
And I could not be more excited. Really. A very brief piece of my personal history if you will: The first car steering wheel I ever laid hands on was from a beige 4-speed 1978 Fiesta. This was in 1980, I was four years old and I remember it like it was yesterday. Well beyond my personal affinity for the car, what I'm most excited about is the imminent influx of cool subcompact cars coming our way, and leading the way is the Fiesta.
Yes, the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Chevrolet Aveo are available and out there. In my opinion, out of the bunch, only the Fit and perhaps the Versa deserve any kind of attention. What I'm saying is that thanks to the Fiesta, every new generation of these small cars will be better than ever and we can expect new offerings from makes such as Fiat, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi.
Start the Fiesta!
The new Fiesta is everything I could hope for. First, it's “identical” to the European car, so I'll never again be able to complain about that. In the looks department alone, the car murders the stereotype that used to dictate that small cars were boring, for people with no taste and stylistically-challenged. Those days are gone!
If ever there was a subcompact that expressed life, energy and youth, the Fiesta is it. Ford's “Fiesta Movement” was such a huge success that it practically registered on the Richter scale. With over 6.2 million views on YouTube, 4 million Twitter impressions and more Facebook action that you can throw a brick at, the Fiesta is poised to be a hit with today’s youth or anyone else for that matter.
Ford’s genius
The social network onslaught, I’ve said it, has worked wonders. It’s actually had an impact on Ford’s expectations as to which body style would be more popular. Traditionally, the US has had a penchant for sedans and has typically considered hatchbacks a lesser car. In Canada, the opposite has always been the case. The Blue Oval expected 60% of takers would go for the 4-door, while the rest would spring for the 5. In Canada, the opposite. Lo and behold, initial interests rate the 5-door as the 55% favourite. Remember that only H/B were part of the Movement. How about that for suggestive marketing?
Why this all works is because the car is hot, fashionable and just about sexy. Personally, I have a hard time with the sedan’s “C” pillar profile and large butt. The H/B, on the other hand, needs nothing more than a lowered suspension and some smartly selected 17” wheels and booyah: A hip affordable whip for the young masses.
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| The Fiesta will be available in 9 different colours, 2 body styles and with numerous trims to cater to everybody’s tastes. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
And I could not be more excited. Really. A very brief piece of my personal history if you will: The first car steering wheel I ever laid hands on was from a beige 4-speed 1978 Fiesta. This was in 1980, I was four years old and I remember it like it was yesterday. Well beyond my personal affinity for the car, what I'm most excited about is the imminent influx of cool subcompact cars coming our way, and leading the way is the Fiesta.
Yes, the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Chevrolet Aveo are available and out there. In my opinion, out of the bunch, only the Fit and perhaps the Versa deserve any kind of attention. What I'm saying is that thanks to the Fiesta, every new generation of these small cars will be better than ever and we can expect new offerings from makes such as Fiat, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi.
Start the Fiesta!
The new Fiesta is everything I could hope for. First, it's “identical” to the European car, so I'll never again be able to complain about that. In the looks department alone, the car murders the stereotype that used to dictate that small cars were boring, for people with no taste and stylistically-challenged. Those days are gone!
If ever there was a subcompact that expressed life, energy and youth, the Fiesta is it. Ford's “Fiesta Movement” was such a huge success that it practically registered on the Richter scale. With over 6.2 million views on YouTube, 4 million Twitter impressions and more Facebook action that you can throw a brick at, the Fiesta is poised to be a hit with today’s youth or anyone else for that matter.
Ford’s genius
The social network onslaught, I’ve said it, has worked wonders. It’s actually had an impact on Ford’s expectations as to which body style would be more popular. Traditionally, the US has had a penchant for sedans and has typically considered hatchbacks a lesser car. In Canada, the opposite has always been the case. The Blue Oval expected 60% of takers would go for the 4-door, while the rest would spring for the 5. In Canada, the opposite. Lo and behold, initial interests rate the 5-door as the 55% favourite. Remember that only H/B were part of the Movement. How about that for suggestive marketing?
Why this all works is because the car is hot, fashionable and just about sexy. Personally, I have a hard time with the sedan’s “C” pillar profile and large butt. The H/B, on the other hand, needs nothing more than a lowered suspension and some smartly selected 17” wheels and booyah: A hip affordable whip for the young masses.
 |
| In the looks department alone, the car murders the stereotype that used to dictate that small cars were boring. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |