Hey Ford, give me a Fiesta for a week?

Ford wants to get the word out about the Fiesta, I want them to give me a Fiesta for just one week. I'm going on vacation, to a very trendy location where the demographics for this car would be huge. I've seen more Honda Fits, VW Jetta TDI and Tiguans here than anywhere else. Folks come from all over the nation and they have money to spend. These are the people who need to see a Fiesta in the flesh.

So, Ford give me a Fiesta for a week, July 11th to 18th, and I'll make sure it's seen and talked about. What have you got to loose? The idiot in Brooklyn let people stand on his and it sat in an impound lot for that long. E-mail me and we'll talk.

Verve, Fiesta, Verve? WTF? Ford has yet another little one?

I'm confused, AutoBlog has a piece talking about a new Verve test mule spotted in Australia?
But I thought the Verve was the concept that became the new Fiesta?

And the spy shots show what looks like the last generation bodywork, on a new chassis.

So, what's the deal?

Is this like the Ikon? A Fiesta based sedan sold in South American and Asian markets.

AutoBlog says it's unlikely we'll see this Verve in the US because of the new Fiesta and Focus.

But the Verve is just a Fiesta, right?

It's tough to follow all the versions of Fords sold around the globe. Did you know that in South American markets the old Ka has been freshened and updated? So, instead of getting the Polish Fiat 500/Ka that Europe gets, they get something akin to our last Focus?

Ford introduces auto trans in Fiesta in Europe, a must have for US market

Car Scoop has a piece linked in the title about Ford introducing a new auto trans for the Fiesta in Europe. Interestingly, it's only available with one powerplant, a 1.4L petrol unit and in this class of car it will account for only 10% of sales in Europe. It's a necessary evil for the US market so the timing is good. I prefer a manual shift myself, my Ranger and Mazda are both stick, but here in the US automatics are a majority of the market.

Business Week's "Car that could save Ford" article and my take

David Kiley of Business Week wrote a nice piece on the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta. He's had seat time in a Euro Spec version, talked to a Fiesta Movement Agent and interviewed FoMoCo Euro design personel. And he's got nice things to say, but I of course take issue with a couple of things. First is this dig at the top "The Bad: Lacks a few features, like a sliding rear seat, to keep costs down." David this is odd, how many competitors have this "Sliding rear seat" you're looking for? I've read up the Fiesta, watch reviews on Fifth Gear and Top Gear and many many others and nobody but Nobody including the notoriously cranky Jeremy Clarkson ( who stands well over 6' ) complained about a sliding rear seat. Many mentioned that the seat doesn't fold flat, but nobody thought that a deal breaker. How many tall folks ride in the back of sub-compact cars for any lenght of time anyway? But I'm nit picking here.

My real issue is the implication that any one vehicle will "save" Ford at all.

David your assumption that Ford needs to be "saved" is wrong in the face of what we've been seeing lately and their "Way Forward" plan that's been working to evolve the Blue Oval.

It's going to be several models that set Ford apart. It's going to be the work that Alan Mulally has been doing with the "One Ford" and the fact that Ford has recently updated several solid models like Mustang, Taurus,Fusion and F-Series trucks while bringing new product like Flex and Edge to market.

Ford will survive because they're going to have the products and technologies to compete in a truly global market. Because of the Fiesta, Fusion, Upcoming Focus redesign and EcoBoost & Hybrid technology.

I'm sure Ford appreciates the praise of the Fiesta, it's a praise worthy car, but let's not peg our hopes on just one model or understate all the hard work that's been done.

AutoBlog has spyshots of the US version of the Fiesta sedan, cool meets Dave

This was one of the Verve concepts that became the Fiesta, I believe for the Chinese Auto Show.

Both China and the US prefer small sedans rather than hatchbacks. And while we've seen Euro spec Fiestas while following the Fiesta Movement, there will be tweaks for the US Market.

The Euro spec Fiestas get the full Kinetic Design treatment, but we're going to get a bit of the "Dave" look. If you recall, when the Iosis concepts first introduced the Kinectic design, that European Ford's have been showcasing these last few years, the response from Dearborn was the "Dave" look, also sometimes confused with a disposable razor.

You can't see clearly in the spy shots because of the camo, but you know you can expect a 3 bar grille similar to the current Focus ( US version ) and in keeping with the Fusion, Taurus, Edge etc...

Coffee time with the FIESTA MOVEMENT videos on YouTube

So, after a hellish week, working 12 hour overnight shifts at my real job, how do I spend my relaxing Saturday morning? Why sitting in my boxer shorts with an extra large Dunkin Donuts coffee ( the best! screw Starbucks) watching Fieasta Movement videos on YouTube.

Ok, so you didn't need that visual, well some of you may have, but most of you are now weezy at the thought of a middle aged stocky/hairy man in boxer shorts. Well, I've always said, I'm not Jalopnik or AutoBlog. Sometimes you get a glimpse into my life. Not much, just a teaser.

But seriously, I've been anticipating the Fiesta for a long time, check check my archives here and at http://myforddreams.blogspot.com and you'll see for yourself. And I got up way too early, so it's coffee and feeding my Blue Oval addiction.

only 98 bottles left on the wall? 2nd Fiesta stolen

So, at least 2 Fiestas are MIA, the one stolen from Brooklyn and now another.

I had read a couple of days ago that the Brooklyn Fiesta was found in DC, but SM of the Fiesta Movement said on Twitter that the DC car was a different Agent's. So, does that mean there's 2 stolen Fiestas? What about the GPS tracking?

In my youth I knew some shady fellas, long before Lo-Jack or GPS of any kind. And these fellas, who I haven't spoken to in 25 years and knew only cassually, would brag that could boost a car and get it to Port Elizabeth, where it would be shipped out to Latin America in a matter of days.

So, do you think Hugo Chavez is tooling around in one of these stolen Fiestas?

My love of all things small and Ford

It must be months since I've had my Reflex Fix! I loved this concept, the lines are great. I've always said I could do without the butterfly doors, but I love the idea of a little 2+2 coupe.
Hell, I love all things small and Ford. From the domestic Fords like the Pinto/Bobcat twins to the foreign Fords like the Cortina, Capri, Puma, Fiesta and Ka and especially the "global" Fords Escort and Focus. I love all Fords, but I've always had a warm spot in my heart for the little guys. That's one of the reasons I'm anticipating the arrival of the Fiesta next year. I have to admit I wasn't a huge fan of the Tempo/Topaz twins, but the EXP/LN7 and the ZX2 were neat.
I remember when I went to Ireland in 2003 drooling over the Ford Fusion MPV, not to be confused with our Fusion midsize sedan, the Fusion MPV was based on the Fiesta platform.
And when I would watch old british movies or TV shows I'd get excited about seeing an old Escort or Capri. And I'm not just talking about the Lotus versions either. Hell, I'm a Pinto guy, I like them all.

When I was a kid, my mom bought a 71 Pinto 2 door. It was the 2.0 L with an automatic, admittedly not the fastest car on the block and to many not the coolest. But I loved that car. And later when my dad bought a 73 Pinto Wagon, I knew I was hooked. Then when I was in college I bought a used 79 Pinto from an ex-nun, 2.3L with the 4 spd manual. I had a blast with that car! It was chocolate brown with a mustard interior, had no A/C and the radio didn't work, but it's the car I taught myself to drive stick in. My mom bought her firts New car in 1982, an Escort in bright red with the blacked out trim the metric rims and 4 spd Manual. We called her Maria Andretti when she drove that. My next little Ford was my first ever new car the 1988 Ford Festiva. Only 1.3 L and 68 hp, but it was the LX model so it had the 5 spd and a nice interior, still no A/C. This was a great car. I would race my friends in this, sure I'd loose, but it was tossable and I did get a speeding ticket upstate doing 100 mph, all the while getting 40 mpg.

And my love of all things small and Ford makes me as green (with envy) as this FiestaMovement car. I'm not hip enough to be one of Ford's Agents. I didn't even apply, because I didn't want to make a video. I'm actually kind of shy and reserved. But recently I joined Twitter, just so I can Follow some of the Fiesta Movement news.

I should have made a video, Doh! But I'm not really the Movement's demographic, I'm 44 and not "hip". Sure, I blog, I MySpace and Facebook, and finally Tweet(?) but I've got a job and a life (despite the obsessive blogging about Ford) that wouldn't allow me to participate in all the missions. But I can tell you what I'd do if I did have one of these Fiestas. I'd take it to local car cruises and shows. I'd drive it up and down the local strip and to Dunkin Donuts to refule on Java. And I'm going to Cape Cod this summer for a week, I'd take it and park it in the busiest section of Provincetown and just stand there telling people about it. Oh and I'd blog,facebook, myspace and finally tweet about it too. But more importantly, I'll probably buy one when they do get here. So much for marketing and demographics, a "middle aged" man (wow that hurt) would actually buy a Fiesta.

Picture of the idiot and the stolen Fiesta

So, here's a picture that's been all over the net of the Fiesta that was stolen from Brookly and found near DC. And of course there's the idiot Agent jumping on the hood, just like he encouraged strangers to do with a sign he had on the car. Some folks on the net think the entire episode is just a publiciy stunt. I doubt FoMoCo would do it, but the idiot? It is the type of bonehead thing an attention whore might do. More likely is that he got strung out on Mocha Lattes and left the keys in it.

CarScoop has update on stolen Fiesta Movement car.

Linked in the title is a post at CarScoop updating the situation reported on Friday about the stolen Fiesta Movement unit that was lifted from a Brooklyn street. For those not familiar with the Fiesta Movement, do a Google search. But I'll try and sum it up here.

Ford in an effort to create buzz ahead of next year's release of the Fiesta, started a program to place 100 units in the hands of Hip or near-Hip folks who would drive the cars for 6 months, with free gas, insurance and concierge service. These "Agents" would help create the buzz by blogging, tweeting, facebooking, myspacing and youtubing, so interested parties could follow and evaluate the cars.

Well, one Brooklyn New York Agent had his Fiesta stolen off the street near his home and of course he tweeted about it and Ford's PR man tweeted about it and many sites, including AutoBlog, Jalopnik and CarScoop, posted about it. A "buzz" storm ensued and there were updates stating the car was GPS equipped so that FoMoCo could track it in real time. There were criticism of local Police, because the car is not in the DMV database, but who's fault is that? Not FoMoCo's. I don't think anyone thought the cars would be stolen. Why didn't Ford pay for this guy to have a garage space?

Interestingly, comments at various sites, such as CarScoop, imply that the whole thing is nothing but a publicit stunt. That's possible, but unlikely in my opinion, at least on the part of FoMoCo.

Now, the Agent is another thing. One of the reasons I wouldn't attempt to get in the Fiesta Movement, although I was drooling over the prospect of driving, evaluating and blogging about the car, was that I'm not by nature an attention whore. And these Agents got the cars by being exactly that. I read on CarScoop that this particular Agent had posted signs on the car encouraging passersby to stand on the hood and climb on the car and take pictures of themselves. Maybe FoMoCo did pay for a garage and this nimrod parked it on the street as part of his little social experiment.

The Fiesta Movement may create some buzz, but will it sell cars? Wouldn't FoMoCo have been better served by giving Fiestas to guys like me ? I would have driven it to cruise nights and car shows as well as public places and gathered feedback from regular people. I would have taken pictures and videos of the Fiesta and posted them on my blog, where I would give real life feedback on the car. But, let the hipsters have their fun. Overall this isn't going to cost FoMoCo too much. As long as one of their Agents doesn't do a stunt like the Queen's Day horror last month.

Most of what I've seen on the Fiesta Movement is by little plastic attention whores, who's opinion on the car wouldn't carry much weight with a real buyer. But of course I'm biased aren't I?

Fiesta Movement? Not for this suburban New Yorker

I'm guessing the New York Auto Show was as close as I'll get to the new Ford Fiesta, until they reach dealers next year. I honestly didn't bother applying for the Fiesta Movement program. I'm not some perky 20something who's all over Facebook and Twitter and MySpace. I don't make stupid videos demanding the world's attention and believe me the world is a happier place for that. But, I did check the Fiesta Movement site (and registered for updates) to see about the tour they're promissing of 100 cities across the country. But when I go to the "Northeast" there's no New York? Maybe later in the year?

I know that marketing people think it's only young hip folks that buy cars like this, but they are wrong. I know Toyota counted on the younger generation to buy Scions, but you know who I see driving the boxy little hip-mobiles? Mostly women over 40.

I'd love to be able to take a little spin in a Fiesta and then tell you all what a great little car it is, but I'm not willing to jump through hoops to entertain the world.

Top Gear's Clarkson drives Fiesta Blue's Brothers style !

I love Top Gear and this video of Clarkson reviewing the new Fiesta is an example of why. Responding to complaints that they no longer do practicle testing for reviews Clarkson does his best to answer the standard questions, but then goes completely overboard.

With scenes reminiscent of The Blues Brothers or maybe even the original Italian Job and then an epic beach landing with the Royal Marines, it's got to be one of the most memorable Top Gear reviews in ages.

Ford should use part of this in their advertising when the Fiesta comes to the states next year!

UK Fords that I'd love to own....

Ford has offered some fantastic cars here in the states over the years, but there have always been some forbiden fruit on the other side of the pond. Like the Ford RS 200. This insanely powerful street legal rally car. I saw online recently that one of these appears in the new Fast & Furious movie?

And while this was available in the US for a few years, I'd still love to be able to buy one of the rarer RS3000 or Tickford versions.

The Mk5 Fiesta, especially the ST version was another one that I've always envied. Even when the Fiesta does arrive here in the states, it's unlikely that we'll see an ST version. But with 150 hp this little car must be a blast!

And what about the Ford Puma ! Now this is a cool little car.

And for those Top Gear fans, this was their Car Of The Year in 2000 and there's a video on YouTube showing Tiff Needel tossing one around and shaking up Clarkson.

And another video, that I've posted in the past of Tiff giving stunt driving tips in one.

Maybe some day? One can dream, can't one.

What caught my eye at the New York International Auto show.

First I want to mention the shuffling of FoMoCo brands on the floor. Jaguar and Range Rover were moved to the back of the room. I'm sure this has nothing to do with FoMoCo selling those brands to Tata. I've been going to the New York show since 1977, when it was still over by Columbus Circle in the Colessium. I've missed the show less than 4 times in the intervening 31 years. This is my Haj, my pilgimage if you will. And I remember when Hyundai was downstairs with the trucks, where Kia is today. And I also remember when that's where Hyundai deserved to be. Well, now they're upstairs with the big boys, very close to FoMoCo, where they deserve to be.

The Genesis Coupe is amazing in person. I've read the specs, seen the videos at AutoBlog and seen all the images online. But walking around it, touching it and crawling all over the outside, because the doors were locked, left me wanting one very badly. I saw the Mustangs, sure, every flavor of them. The new Bullit, the Shelby GT500KR, the Saleen and the Pink Warrior. But I'd buy the Hyundai.

Sure the styling is derivative and maybe not too inspiring. Without getting inside, it's hard to say if the interior will feel cheep. Haven't driven it yet, that's for sure. But it's handsome, the prices being talked about are right on the money and without a doubt the IRS and 2.0 Turbo Direct Injection putting 212 hp to the ground through a 6 speed manual speak to my soul and my wallet.

The Dodge Challenger was getting a lot of attention. Not just the 2 Hemi versions. The V6 SE was getting a lot of looks and why not, it looks great. The V6 is a 3.5 putting out 250 hp and 250 lb ft. The bad news for Dodge is that a 4 speed auto should not be the only transmission for the base. And what price for the SE? Hardly seems smart to bring this out against the Hyundai. But compared to the Mustang? What the hell. At least this has an IRS.

News of the Transit Connect Taxi all over the net, but no mention of the 2 other Transit Connects on the floor. This one loaded with musical instruments and the other fitted out for a contractor. I sat in it and was very impressed. I was dismayed to overhear somebody saying that because it was built in Turkey they were sure the quality would be poor. Ignorance abounds. I personally think that if they put the Hybrid drivetrain in this it would be the best Taxi ever and even the non-Hybrid version would be great for small commercial duty.

Seeing the Verve Sedan concept was inspiring, and people seemed interested. Nobody was tripping over themselves to get to it, but there was good traffic.

I'm sure FoMoCo would love to say the same about this, the Explorer America concept.

Yep, another CUV. Ford was loaded with CUV and SUV, Edge, Escape, Flex, Taurus X and the Lincoln MKT. This is the explorer that may use the 2.0 EcoBoost as it's base. The spokesmodel was saying that the EcoBoost was going to put out 275 hp. And why can't that go to the Mustang?? And the Explorer has an IRS, why can't a Mustang?

Verve, Fiesta, Mazda 2 talk...........

There's been a lot of Verve/Fiesta/Mazda2 talk on the net recently, especially over at AutoBlog.
Much of it is promissing news. The US will be getting a version of the small Ford that the rest of the world has made a class leader. Styling cues from the Verve concept will show up on the production unit. Well, it's about time. As gas is expected to reach US $4 a gallon this summer and every other auto maker ( except Chrysler) has something in the pike.

Ford will bring a version of the Fiesta and Mazda will bring the 2. And word is that Mazda may bring a Diesel! Story linked in title from AutoBlog. Happy days right? Well............

Sort of. Ford seems to be avoiding hatchbacks and hasn't said anything about Diesels. But it is a move in the right direction. I've said from day 1 of MyFordDreams that Ford has the product to compete with anything the foreign automakers can bring here, they need look no further than their overseas showrooms.

I can't understand Ford's not bringing hatchbacks to the United States. Don't get me wrong, both the Ford and Mazda sedans are fine looking cars and I know that the market seems to favor sedans over hatchbacks. Something that I'm confused about to be honest.

The trunks on these small sedans are less useful than a traditional hatchback, but Americans don't like Hatchbacks or Station Wagons. I've had many types of vehicles over the years, from small hatch to full size pickup and from my experience small hatchbacks make the most sense.

I'll explain, we at the MyFordDreams homestead own several vehicles, my Mazda 3 hatch, the Ford Ranger pickup, an Isuzu Rodeo and a Honda Civic Coupe. Now which vehicle do you think is used most for shopping, vacations and just going out with friends? The Ranger is great, with it's 4 wheel drive and 6 foot bed it's my choice for snow storms and trips to the dump. But it only seats 2, gets not so great milage and well it's not that comfortable driving for 6-8 hours. The Rodeo is a little more comfortable, but just as thirsty and not easy to park downtown. The Civic is great! Good economy, easy to park, fun to drive, but would you want to climb into the back seat in a suit? How about that trunk, how many bags of groceries do you really think you can get in there? What about big parcels? I got a new TV recently, do you think we could just pop it in there? Not a chance! The car we use most, for everything is the Mazda 3 hatchback.

Going downtown to see a Broadway show? Easy to park, easy for 4 adults to get in and out of, comfortable, great milage and really fun to drive. Why do you think they have that stupid Zoom Zoom campain? Going shopping? Pop the hatch and you can load all the groceries you want in there. Got a big TV? drop the seats and it'll swallow most boxes easily. Vacation? Same thing, fit as much luggage or people as you'd need.

I dream of something with 5 doors a Diesel and a 6 speed manual transmission, I hope Ford can bring me something along those lines. And if not Ford hopefully Mazda. My ultimate would be a new Ford Kuga with a 2.0 TDI, but if Mazda would bring their Diesel version of the CX-7 from Europe I'd settle for that. I'd even settle for a Kuga with a 2.0 EcoBoost gas engine. Igor has stated that the Kuga will be the new Escape, will it come with a manual trans?

I like the Fiesta/Mazda2 sedans, but could I live with them? Not as easilly as I could a decent hatch.