Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Finally, Ford can be a player in the B-segment market with the arrival of the 2011 Fiesta in June or July. The company hasn’t had a product in this small-car category since the forgettable Aspire, which faded from view in 1997. That’s a long time to be without a model in a segment that’s especially significant in Canada.


2011 Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta, which will be offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatch, comes with an impressive pedigree — it’s been the best-selling car in Europe for years and is now setting sales records in Asia as well. In fact, many have questioned why Ford has dragged its feet about bringing such a wonderful small car to North America.

No doubt the rising cost of gas has played a role in changing the company’s thinking, with consumers now looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles. The trend to downsizing, too, is making such vehicles more appealing. Whatever the reasons, the small-car expertise Ford Europe has demonstrated over the years is now being shared with this global model. It should be a winner in Canada.