COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 28, 2016 – The next-generation Ford Fiesta – the world’s most technologically-advanced small car – will be unveiled tomorrow night, Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Ford’s European home in Cologne, Germany.
The Fiesta is one of the most iconic nameplates in the global auto industry with nearly 18 million sold worldwide since the car was first launched 40 years ago in 1976. Fiesta also has been Europe’s top-selling small car for the past four successive years and the No.2 best-selling car overall in six of the last seven years.
“As the small car segment continues to diversify, our next-generation Fiesta will deliver an option for every driver – from downsizing customers who want big-car quality in a small car package, to growing numbers of crossover consumers – reinforcing our product diversity and growth potential in the important B-segment of the European market,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe.
The next-generation Fiesta – the eighth generation of the car – is single-sourced for European customers from Ford’s Cologne Assembly Plant, the current home of Ford Fiesta production.
The decision to build the car in Cologne was part of an innovative agreement signed in 2015 between Ford and the German Works Council which involves more flexible work rules.
The agreement included moving to a two-shift pattern and other efficiency measures which – together with the Cologne plant’s skilled workforce, productivity and high quality – will ensure next-generation Fiesta production will be globally competitive. The agreement is expected to yield at least $400 million in total savings from 2017 to 2021.
The next-generation Fiesta will be launched at the Ford Go Further event in Cologne to an audience of more than 4,000 Ford employees, Ford dealers, international journalists, social media influencers and You Tubers, fans and dignitaries.
Ford Go Further also is being livestreamed tomorrow from 20:00 CET at: gofurther.fordpresskits.com
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
