Get Ready To Say Goodbye to the Ford Fiesta
The end of the road for Ford's most iconic car
Whether you’re a hardcore Ford fan or simply a seasoned motorist, the all-rounder appeal of the Ford Fiesta cannot be denied; it’s been a familiar face on British roads since the 1970s. In fact, it’s a consistent Ford best-seller!
However, in pursuit of similar success with cars of the future (that’s battery-powered motoring), Ford are discontinuing the Fiesta in 2023, and as a used car dealership that has seen many a customer fall in love with these versatile hatchbacks, we wanted to pay tribute here at Avalon — and say goodbye.
The story starts
Having hit UK roads in 1977 as the Mk1, the Fiesta has evolved over 7 generations in order to serve the core audience, which is, well, anyone that wants a dependable car that’s small enough for the single commuter but big enough for a small family.
The Fiesta was developed as Ford’s answer to the supermini, a much smaller vehicle than the current offering from Ford, the Escort, with a name that paid homage to the Spanish Ford factory that opened in conjunction with this hatchback’s launch. Fiesta means ‘party’ in Spanish, which fitted the spirit of celebration that Henry Ford was looking for - and there’s some decent alliteration going on there too!
An established model
Following the success of the Mk1, the Mk2 sped onto the scene in 1983 with better fuel efficiency, and a 1.6-litre diesel engine option, which became a popular choice for many years.
The Mk2 turned into the Mk3 in 1989, introducing a wider, longer body shape and, for the first time, a 5-door model, opening up the Fiesta to families.
1996 welcomed a redesigned Mk4, all rounded corners and oval grilles. Airbags had become a standard feature by then, and the Mk4 was home to dual airbags in line with safety regulations.
Enter the 2000s
The new millennium saw the Mk6 arrive after a brief appearance of a boxy Zetec model, which acted as a Mk5. In 2005, the Fiesta ST was launched, the most powerful Fiesta to hit the market yet. If you happened to be at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008, you’d have seen the Fiesta Mk7 unveiled, with some Duratec engine upgrades in tow.
In 2012, the Fiesta started to take the shape of the car we know and love today, with a facelifted grille, and in 2014 it celebrated becoming the best-selling car of all time in the UK. By this time, the Ford KA had become Ford’s smallest offering, allowing the Fiesta to settle into its role as a mid-sized but still affordable hatchback that could mould to many lifestyles.
Today’s Fiesta
2016 saw the Mk7 arrive, lasting well into the new decade when, in 2021, a new design was announced, with Active, Vignale and ST variants that offered plenty of personality thanks to styling such as roof bars on the Active model, and EcoBoost on the ST. In 2021, a new design was announced, with a facelifted front and brand new safety features. It was therefore a bit of a surprise when, in October 2022, it was announced by Ford that the Fiesta would be discontinued in the summer of 2023, with the Puma hybrid filling its shoes in many respects as the brand hurtles towards the electrification of cars going forward. We’re really going to miss it!
Find the Ford Fiesta at Avalon Motor Company
Whilst the manufacture of the new Ford Fiesta is coming to an end in 2023, there is still, and will continue to be for a while yet, a selection of these famous hatchbacks on the used market. It’s a model we’re proud to frequently stock in Glastonbury here at Avalon. In fact, we’ve got some here on our forecourt currently! Take a look at the Ford Fiestas we have available here, and make the most of this best-seller while you can.
