Ford recently announced that the Fiesta is set to be discontinued next year after 47 years of production. The Ford Fiesta is a British icon with a rich legacy. It has been credited as one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed cars in automotive history.
The history of Ford Fiesta
In 1975, Ford Motor Company (FMC) began developing a new car to replace the Ford Pinto and wanted to create a vehicle that was smaller and cheaper than anything on the market at that time. The Ford Fiesta was the culmination of this project.
Why was it named the ‘Ford Fiesta?’
The car was originally going to be named ‘Bravo’ by the marketing team but that was changed to ‘Fiesta’ on the instructions of Henry Ford II. 'Fiesta' is a word of Spanish origin that means 'party,' and aptly represents the easy-going nature of the vehicle. The name was partly inspired by the all-new Valencia production plant at the time, one of three plants responsible for the vehicle's assembly.
An instant car classic
In 1977, the Ford Fiesta MK1 was made available to purchase in the UK, as either a 3-door hatchback or a panel van. It was dubbed a ‘supermini,’ and the first-generation Fiesta made the category even more popular.
In the same year, the car was instantly made popular with its appearance in Roger Moore’s Bond Film, The Spy Who Loved Me. Unlike his other vehicles, it was a car for the masses and was renowned for its everyday practicality, simplicity and reliability. By 1979, Ford had swiftly developed momentum, selling one million Fiestas worldwide.
Since 1980, the car has often appeared in the list of the best-selling cars of the year. The automotive giant has sold over 22 million units worldwide. There have been numerous Ford Fiestas released over the years. All of which have been released to fanfare and critical acclaim. The Fiesta is a multi-generational car, popular among millennials, baby boomers and gen X.
Interestingly enough, we have transferred 4,317 private plates to Ford Fiestas, of which the most expensive was sold for £32,500. The mischievous ‘DEV 1L,’ assigned to a Fiesta, was bought for over £300k, placing it among the top 20 most expensive number plates in the UK.
Why is Ford discontinuing the Fiesta?
In 2022, the automotive industry shifted its priorities to the production of electric vehicles (EVs). This has led to the Fiesta being displaced by more environmentally and policy-friendly models, such as the hybrid Ford Puma. Ultimately, Ford has decided to refocus their business strategy on hybrid cars and EVs in response to the looming ban on petrol/diesel cars in 2030.
Still, the Ford Fiesta is an example of historic genius and innovation. If you happen to own a piece of automotive history, you can buy a private number plate to celebrate its greatness and make it even more special.
