No More Fiesta?

[robjh80]

Ford are thinking of dropping the Fiesta name after 30 years, possible replacement names for the next generation car are "Genesis", "Isis", "Phoenix" or "Kuga".

Personally I think Ford would be crazy to drop the Fiesta name and replace it with anything.........let alone one of those listed!!

Read the story here

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...rd_fiesta.html

You may need to quickly register to access the site.

[robjh80]

For those who dont want to register, here's the written part of the article, the site is a pretty good one though, probably worth the couple of minutes to register.


Ford's new supermini, due on sale next year, may be given a completely fresh name, according to a company insider.

Our source explained: "There is a strong tide in favour of some*thing new as the car is radically differ*ent from the current machine. Our younger target audience weren't all born in 1977 when the Fiesta arrived, so for them heritage isn't an issue." The launch of different variants, such as an off-road version, is another factor in bosses' thinking.

Speculation has been intensified by Ford checking out three potential titles to see if another brand has a claim on them, and registering a fourth.

Genesis, Isis and Phoenix are "under investigation" in the international car titles register, while the firm now has the rights to Kuga. Ford will seek a public res*ponse to any name change in consumer clinics, and may trial one option on a pre-production concept at Sept*ember's Frankfurt Motor Show.

This could be decisive, as top brass are at loggerheads over the renaming issue. Richard Parry-Jones, in charge of pro*duct development, said: "Some badges have strong brand values, so perhaps we shouldn't throw this away." But sales and marketing chief Stephen O'Dell explained: "In this business, the car makes the name, not vice versa."

Ford apparently came close to giv*ing its new Mondeo a fresh badge, while dumping the Escort name - also after 30 years - involved an 11th hour decision to opt for Focus ahead of the car's debut at 1998's Geneva expo.

[bman]

i think it is a good thing, I own a Fiesta but boy what a ***** name for a car! I like Kuga or Isis!

[photn]

Its Auto Express - Enuff said!
Dont forget about the 1million and 1 photochops of the 2008 Fez!

ill belive it when my sh!t turns purple and smells like rainbow Sherbert!

*not an attack on you Rob, i just dont believe anything that AutoExpress prints*

[robjh80]

Originally Posted by photn

Its Auto Express - Enuff said!
Dont forget about the 1million and 1 photochops of the 2008 Fez!

ill belive it when my sh!t turns purple and smells like rainbow Sherbert!

*not an attack on you Rob, i just dont believe anything that AutoExpress prints*

Yea, Ok.......take it ya not a fan of Auto Express then.

There must be more to the story though, the boys over at UKFN are on about it as well, seems one of the papers over there ran a story about it, have a look here

http://www.ukfiestanetwork.com/index...owtopic=105772

For those who aren't members here's the scan from the paper

[0xyg3n]

Originally Posted by robjh80

There is a strong tide in favour of something new as the car is radically different from the current machine.

Lol the MK6 was totally different to the MK5 when it come out so whats different now. Why not rename it back then.

[Adsy01]

They'll change it if they think they'll sell more cars.

Escort was a much bigger modle/name worldwide than Fiesta and they went and droppet it's name. I can't say that its really hurt them with how the Well the Focus seems to sell, so why wouldn't the maketing guys be thinking that the same would happen if the renamed the fez.

[robjh80]

Originally Posted by 0xyg3n

Lol the MK6 was totally different to the MK5 when it come out so whats different now. Why not rename it back then.

Or why didn't Ford rename the Cortina when it went from the Mk1 to the Mk2 or to the Mk3 or to the Mk4 etc etc.........or rename the Escort when it went from the Mk2 to the......."blah blah blah", ........"you get my drift", who knows why the marketing people that make up these decisions think like this.

Here's another link from an American site talking about the same issue of Fiesta name being dropped

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/05...-global-b-car/

And from the same site......claims that the new "Worldwide" release of the car that is to replace the Fiesta is in fact going to be the all new Mazda 2

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03...sed-on-mazda2/

Here's some pics

[scooby]

Yawn..another Yaris clone

[Ives]

That Mazda2 looks good actually. Maybe Mazda should develop Mazda2 MPS.

[Piotr]

The Fiesta and Mazda 2 share the same platform so in a way they are the same car

[Ives]

Oh, dun tell me Ford Aus gonna badge the next gen Fiesta, Festiva. :/

[Whopper]

Originally Posted by robjh80

Our source explained: "There is a strong tide in favour of some*thing new as the car is radically differ*ent from the current machine. Our younger target audience weren't all born in 1977 when the Fiesta arrived, so for them heritage isn't an issue." The launch of different variants, such as an off-road version, is another factor in bosses' thinking.

: I'm starting to feel old now, since i was around in 1977. Does this mean i can't drive a Fiesta anymore???????.

Rob