That’s what we call a U-turn. At the end of 2022, Ford of Europe Director Martin Sander officially confirmed the end of the Fiesta. The iconic city car was to make way for the future electric Puma. Today, however, there has been a major U-turn, with Sander finally considering the return of the Fiesta. A hypothetical return, but one that could take place under certain conditions.
A necessarily electric Fiesta
For a start, the eighth Fiesta can only be electric, since Ford will become a 100% electric brand in Europe in just three years’ time. The car will then be produced at Ford’s Cologne plant alongside the new electric Explorer. Full electrification will therefore be a key milestone for the next Fiesta. Unfortunately, that’s not the only thing that will determine the city car’s survival…
A compulsory MEB platform?
To keep development costs to a minimum, the electric Fiesta will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform. On this subject, Sander says he is “exploring every opportunity to move this forward”, while assuring us that “nothing has been decided yet”. Small cars generate lower margins than larger models. Ford therefore needs to be certain that the Fiesta will sell in large volumes to ensure a return on investment.
Given that the American brand has a major partnership with Volkswagen, it can legally use the German group’s platforms. So what’s the problem? Elsewhere: the main sticking point is actually another electric platform that Ford is currently developing. The brand is concentrating all its efforts on making it as competitive as possible. The order for a new Fiesta will certainly upset its plans.
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