Sensational new Fiesta comes to North American market
He's not as tall as I expected but his energy and enthusiasm give him more presence than height ever could. Barry Engle was named president and CEO of Ford Canada, Limited on February 1st of this year.
Although Mr. Engle's only held 'top billing' in Canada for a short time, he has worked his way through a series of high level, international positions with Ford since his initial hire in 1992. Prior to last month's Canadian appointment, Barry served as president of Ford Mercosul, where he was responsible for all Mercosul operations in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Peru.
I had the opportunity recently to chat with Mr. Engle one-on-one. I was curious about the rationale underpinning Ford's decision to bring the European Fiesta to the North American market in 2010. The new Fiesta is based on the Verve concept car that we were introduced to at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January this year.
Barry's passion for small cars is obvious, and he acknowledged that it was time for Ford to apply itself in this market with "entrants that are exciting and fully competitive." With its dramatic, edgy styling, the Verve definitely projects excitement. Barry assured me that the Verve's visual stimulus wouldn't be lost when the unit goes into production as the new Ford Fiesta. Even the pillar-less flush side glass will be retained.
Regrettably though, Canada's top Ford man confirmed that name "Verve" will be dropped in favor of the globally recognized inscription of "Fiesta." Too bad I say. I fear many "haute couture" consumers may find "Fiesta" lacking in sex appeal; it's just not brag-worthy despite its long-standing popularity in Europe.
Nomenclature issues aside, the Fiesta is will certainly make a fashion statement. I hugely applaud Ford for exercising a little "daring" in the car's design. Based on the Verve concept, the 3-door hatchback Fiesta and its 4-door sedan sibling will exhibit artistry and chic well beyond anything else in the segment.
Barry Engle put it this way, "we believe consumers deserve a good looking car regardless of how much they paid for it." He emphasized his point by citing the popular Ford Edge and the newly created Ford Flex. "Look at the Edge and the Flex, they make a strong styling statement, the B-car (in reference to vehicles of the Fiesta's size) should do the same."
The addition of the Fiesta to the North American Ford lineup doesn't come at the cost of the Focus, or any other Ford product. The Fiesta will slot below the Focus in terms of size- so "yes," this is a small car. Three engine sizes are expected to accompany the Fiesta, the most potent of which will likely generate in the neighbourhood of 113 horsepower. The potential exists for diesel power as well. Let's hope the modern, sophisticated oil burners show up.
With fuel prices predicted to increase, making fill-ups slightly more expensive than mortgage payments, there undoubtedly exists a strong market for inexpensive, highly efficient cars that are equally as "cool" as they are sensible. Barry Engle capped-off our discussion around such vehicles with, "those are the products that our consumers want, and they're as excited about them as we are." Among a growing list of sensible but far less cool economy cars, the Verve, excuse me, Fiesta is destined to become a sensational standout.
photo:Rob Rothwell
He's not as tall as I expected but his energy and enthusiasm give him more presence than height ever could. Barry Engle was named president and CEO of Ford Canada, Limited on February 1st of this year.
Although Mr. Engle's only held 'top billing' in Canada for a short time, he has worked his way through a series of high level, international positions with Ford since his initial hire in 1992. Prior to last month's Canadian appointment, Barry served as president of Ford Mercosul, where he was responsible for all Mercosul operations in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Peru.
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| Barry Engle, President and CEO of Ford Canada. |
I had the opportunity recently to chat with Mr. Engle one-on-one. I was curious about the rationale underpinning Ford's decision to bring the European Fiesta to the North American market in 2010. The new Fiesta is based on the Verve concept car that we were introduced to at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January this year.
Barry's passion for small cars is obvious, and he acknowledged that it was time for Ford to apply itself in this market with "entrants that are exciting and fully competitive." With its dramatic, edgy styling, the Verve definitely projects excitement. Barry assured me that the Verve's visual stimulus wouldn't be lost when the unit goes into production as the new Ford Fiesta. Even the pillar-less flush side glass will be retained.
Regrettably though, Canada's top Ford man confirmed that name "Verve" will be dropped in favor of the globally recognized inscription of "Fiesta." Too bad I say. I fear many "haute couture" consumers may find "Fiesta" lacking in sex appeal; it's just not brag-worthy despite its long-standing popularity in Europe.
Nomenclature issues aside, the Fiesta is will certainly make a fashion statement. I hugely applaud Ford for exercising a little "daring" in the car's design. Based on the Verve concept, the 3-door hatchback Fiesta and its 4-door sedan sibling will exhibit artistry and chic well beyond anything else in the segment.
Barry Engle put it this way, "we believe consumers deserve a good looking car regardless of how much they paid for it." He emphasized his point by citing the popular Ford Edge and the newly created Ford Flex. "Look at the Edge and the Flex, they make a strong styling statement, the B-car (in reference to vehicles of the Fiesta's size) should do the same."
The addition of the Fiesta to the North American Ford lineup doesn't come at the cost of the Focus, or any other Ford product. The Fiesta will slot below the Focus in terms of size- so "yes," this is a small car. Three engine sizes are expected to accompany the Fiesta, the most potent of which will likely generate in the neighbourhood of 113 horsepower. The potential exists for diesel power as well. Let's hope the modern, sophisticated oil burners show up.
With fuel prices predicted to increase, making fill-ups slightly more expensive than mortgage payments, there undoubtedly exists a strong market for inexpensive, highly efficient cars that are equally as "cool" as they are sensible. Barry Engle capped-off our discussion around such vehicles with, "those are the products that our consumers want, and they're as excited about them as we are." Among a growing list of sensible but far less cool economy cars, the Verve, excuse me, Fiesta is destined to become a sensational standout.
photo:Rob Rothwell