Thread: Ford to build Fiesta subcompact near Mexico city

Ford to build Fiesta subcompact near Mexico City





By Tom Krisher
ASSOCIATED PRESS

11:31 a.m. May 30, 2008

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. plans to build its new Fiesta subcompact at a factory near Mexico City for sale in the U.S., the company said Friday.
Ford plans to retool its Cuautitlan Assembly Plant from large-truck to small-car production as it moves to shift its factories from trucks toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, the company said.



The move is a blow to the United Auto Workers union, which last year approved a contract that granted concessions to the automaker. Earlier this year, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union would try to convince Ford that its U.S. plants were competitive enough that the automaker could make money building its smallest cars in the U.S. Currently, all subcompacts sold in the U.S. are built overseas, he said.
Messages seeking comment were left with UAW spokesman Roger Kerson.

The Fiesta is critical to Ford's effort to unify its global operations and sell versions of the same vehicle in markets worldwide. Three- and five-door hatchback versions will go on sale in Europe this fall and China by the end of the year. Other versions, including a four-door sedan, will reach the rest of Asia by 2009. North America will get a four-door version as well as the European hatchback in 2010.

Ford has sold 12 million Fiestas since the vehicle was introduced in 1976. Although it's a familiar name to customers in Europe, Asia and South America, the Fiesta was only sold in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980.

Ford also said Friday that it plans a new diesel engine line at its at Chihuahua Engine Plant and a new joint venture transmission plant with Getrag in Guanajuato.

The Cuautitlan plant now makes trucks for the Mexican market, ranging from the Ford F-150 pickup to the F-550. The company plans to import trucks from the U.S. in the future to free factory capacity for the new small cars, it said in a statement.

Overall, Ford and its parts suppliers will invest $3 billion in Mexico as part of the Fiesta project, Ford said. About 4,500 Ford jobs should be created at the plants, the company said. “Ford is absolutely committed to leveraging our global assets to accelerate the shift to more fuel-efficient small cars and powertrain technologies that people really want and value,â€

[quote="FedUpinFarmersBranch"]Ford to build Fiesta subcompact near Mexico City





By Tom Krisher
ASSOCIATED PRESS

11:31 a.m. May 30, 2008

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. plans to build its new Fiesta subcompact at a factory near Mexico City for sale in the U.S., the company said Friday.
Ford plans to retool its Cuautitlan Assembly Plant from large-truck to small-car production as it moves to shift its factories from trucks toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, the company said.



The move is a blow to the United Auto Workers union, which last year approved a contract that granted concessions to the automaker. Earlier this year, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union would try to convince Ford that its U.S. plants were competitive enough that the automaker could make money building its smallest cars in the U.S. Currently, all subcompacts sold in the U.S. are built overseas, he said.
Messages seeking comment were left with UAW spokesman Roger Kerson.

The Fiesta is critical to Ford's effort to unify its global operations and sell versions of the same vehicle in markets worldwide. Three- and five-door hatchback versions will go on sale in Europe this fall and China by the end of the year. Other versions, including a four-door sedan, will reach the rest of Asia by 2009. North America will get a four-door version as well as the European hatchback in 2010.

Ford has sold 12 million Fiestas since the vehicle was introduced in 1976. Although it's a familiar name to customers in Europe, Asia and South America, the Fiesta was only sold in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980.

Ford also said Friday that it plans a new diesel engine line at its at Chihuahua Engine Plant and a new joint venture transmission plant with Getrag in Guanajuato.

The Cuautitlan plant now makes trucks for the Mexican market, ranging from the Ford F-150 pickup to the F-550. The company plans to import trucks from the U.S. in the future to free factory capacity for the new small cars, it said in a statement.

Overall, Ford and its parts suppliers will invest $3 billion in Mexico as part of the Fiesta project, Ford said. About 4,500 Ford jobs should be created at the plants, the company said. “Ford is absolutely committed to leveraging our global assets to accelerate the shift to more fuel-efficient small cars and powertrain technologies that people really want and value,â€

hahahaha... you can keep the Fiesta in Mexico and South America... I will no longer buy Ford

I think that Ford would benefit by announcing production of it's pickup trucks here on an as needed basis. As more production in Mexico reduces the temptation of Mexicans workers to immigrate here illegally I consider this news to be positive. Most other countries sending cars are not sending as many illegal aliens.

Originally Posted by Richard

I think that Ford would benefit by announcing production of it's pickup trucks here on an as needed basis. As more production in Mexico reduces the temptation of Mexicans workers to immigrate here illegally I consider this news to be positive. Most other countries sending cars are not sending as many illegal aliens.

I agree with Richard. Fiesta is obviously one of Fords lower end cars and they need to keep it cheap so might as well have a "Fiesta" in mex and leave work on the higher end stuff to the US workers....

I'd rather buy from JAPAN or Germany than buy from a company that moves from the US to hire slave labor.

Besides, who wants to own this crap?

Ford has sold 12 million Fiestas since the vehicle was introduced in 1976. Although it's a familiar name to customers in Europe, Asia and South America, the Fiesta was only sold in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980.

Someone must have wanted them.

I wouldn't drive one and have not seen one around in a long time, tho....

375,000 cars a year for world wide sales. I dont know if that is a good average or not.

Toyota Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in automotive history

The making of Corolla started in 1966 when Japanese manufacturer decided to present a small compact car which integrates quality, style and cost-effectiveness of more prestigious models. During 40 years Corolla had as many as nine generations, and in 1997 it was the best selling car of all time. To the present day more than 35 million vehicles were sold and we can expect it to stay on the top in the future.

http://www.automotoportal.com/article/T ... _Cars_Ever

that look even worse than the Pinto or Gremlin

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

that look even worse than the Pinto or Gremlin

You got that right! LOL