It’s official – the numbers are in, and (unsurprisingly) the Ford Fiesta has been named the UK’s best selling car of all time! New statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have revealed that the Fiesta has overtaken the Ford Escort in the sales stakes – with Ford having shifted over 4.1 million Fiestas over the model’s lifetime.
The Fiesta’s success story is further compounded by data which show that, for 27 years out of its lifetime, the Fiesta has been the sales leader of the small car category. So what makes the Fiesta so successful? Join us as we delve into the Fiesta’s roots and examine why drivers seem to have developed an insatiable appetite for the little Ford.
The Original Fiesta
In the mid 1970s, Henry Ford II himself decided that the Ford brand was to make a small car named the Fiesta. By 1976, the first Fiesta had rolled off the production line at the Ford factory in Dagenham, Essex (where Fiestas continue to be made to this day). The first generation Fiesta was a compact city car, weighing in at just 800 kg. Its 4-cylinder 0.95L engine produced a poxy 46 bhp, and at the time was priced at just £1,865. Over the next few decades, the Fiesta evolved over 6 generations, improving every step of the way – with Ford adding a wide range of variations, including a sporty ST model and even a stretched saloon version in foreign markets.
The 2014 Fiesta
The latest model on sale is the facelifted 7th generation Fiesta (pictured below), and the newest model is Ford’s best Fiesta yet! The critically acclaimed supermini has reached new levels of engineering and design. With its Aston Martin inspired front grille and headlights, the latest Fiesta is a distinct, sleek and grown-up car – while still quintessentially remaining true to its roots as a city run-around.
Handling is excellent and the little Ford is the class leader for its drivability factor. The Fiesta’s great chassis, engines and suspension setup mean that handling is sharp and responsive – making the Fiesta both fun and easy to drive. Ford have invested serious money into the Fiesta’s design and have hit the nail on the head with its interior – oozing quality levels which leave the competition paling in comparison.
Specs and Pricing
The Fiesta’s model range is as wide as its history is long, with a huge variety of options available to customers who want to stand out from the crowd. Ford, however, appreciate that too much choice can be a bad thing for some, and have kept the entry level model offering nice and simple. The standard model has enough essential kit to keep most drivers happy, but leaves out the bells and whistles. You can get your hands on a brand new 1.25L Studio 60 3-door Fiesta for just £9995.
Our pick of the range is the 1.0L Ecoboost Zetec 100 5-door. The Zetec specification brings with it the ideal balance of additional features like alloy wheels, air conditioning and Ford’s Sync entertainment system at minimal extra cost. The fantastic turbocharged Ecoboost engines provide smooth and punchy power, while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency. In fact, the 1.0L Ecoboost is capable of a staggering 66 mpg – an amazing feat, considering it produces 100 bhp! All of this can be yours for just £14,500 – and with such great financing deals available, the Fiesta’s a total no-brainer.
Looking for Ford Fiesta finance? You’re in luck – the team at the Car Loan Warehouse are specialists in Ford finance, working with dealers and lenders to find you the best car finance offer – regardless of your credit rating. If you’ve already chosen a car, get in touch with us or use our online car loan calculator for an instant quote before making a financing decision – we could save you some serious cash on your next car!
