Ford Fiesta axed in the US, Australian prospects still unclear
American fans of the Ford Fiesta will have to keep their current-generation vehicles, as the company's North American arm has announced that the US won't be getting any versions of its little hatchback - not even the hot ST model.
Speaking with CarBuzz at theFrankfurt motor show, Leo Roeks,Ford Performance of Europe director, said low demand in the US is to blame for theFiesta's demise.
"It’s simply a matter of a lack of interest in the B-segment in America. It doesn’t make sense, nor is it possible financially speaking, to import a single trim level (the ST), and a niche one at that," he said.
Powered by a new1.5-litre three-cylinder Ecoboost turbo, thenew-generation Fiesta ST (pictured) punches out a meaty147kW of power and290Nm of torque. Ford claims its little hot hatch can sprint from0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds, and it also features cylinder deactivation which should see fuel use drop to around 5.2L/100km.
Meanwhile, the Australian future of the Fiesta range is also under a cloud of doubt, with the local arm still to confirm whether it will offer any version of the light hatch here.
Earlier this year, Graeme Whickman, CEO ofFord Australia,hinted to CarAdvice that slowing sales of light vehicles locally could see the Fiesta dropped from the line-up, though he wouldn't confirm either way.
For now, the statement remains the same, with Damion Smy, product communications manager for the Blue Oval's local division, telling CarAdvice that no decision has been made yet,
"We have no announcements on Fiesta at this stage, and will make announcements in due course," he said.
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