Ford’s new-generation global small car to be previewed at 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Its worldwide name is confirmed – Ford Fiesta.

The new Ford Fiesta brings the Verve Concept exterior and interior styling to production reality, demonstrating that small cars can be stylish, sophisticated and emotional. It rejects the notion that an affordable small car has to be a commodity.

Designed and developed in Europe for customers in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Americas between 2008 and 2010, the new Fiesta is the first major product of Ford’s new global product development process.

In Europe, the new Fiesta will debut first in production guise at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March and will go on sale in fall 2008 in three and five-door hatchback body styles. By 2010, the new Fiesta will be on sale in markets across Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and North America in a variety of regionally tailored models derived from a common platform.

• The worldwide name is confirmed – Ford Fiesta
• Next generation, all-new global small car signals fresh chapter in Ford Fiesta story
• Stylish ‘kinetic design’ and dynamic flair combines with traditional Ford strengths to deliver confident, contemporary, fun-to-drive package
• Fiesta brings a host of big-car features to the small car segment for the first time
• Fiesta stays compact but is lighter and stronger. Ultra high-strength steels and a comprehensive safety package that includes a driver’s knee airbag
• Exciting three-door body remains true to Verve Concept
• Futuristic interior from Verve Concept becomes production reality, including integrated HMI center stack inspired by mobile phones
• 113 HP (115 PS) Duratec 1.6-liter Ti-VCT gasoline engine joins Fiesta range; one of five fuel efficient and clean engines
• Fiesta will expand Ford ECOnetic ultra-low CO2 range, delivering optimized reduction in CO2 emissions.
• New Fiesta is the first product of Ford’s new global product development process, with versions due for launch in Europe in 2008, and in Asia and the Americas between 2008 and 2010
• 5 Efficient Powertrain Choices at launch from 68 PS Duratorq TDCi diesel to new Duratec 1.6-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine which delivers low emissions.
• New technology highlights include keyless vehicle technology, ‘Ford Power’ engine start button, Ford Easyfuel capless refueling, USB connectivity and ambient interior lighting

Verve comes in both four- and three-door body styles. The four-door is the basis for the production vehicle that will be sold in North America beginning in 2010. The European three-door is being shown to test market reaction to the body style – as a possible additional small car for the North American market.

The Verve concept has a sleek and dynamically poised design. Viewed from the front, the vehicle features:

• A bold, three-bar graphic with a Ford blue oval in the upper grille opening and downsized the lower, inverted trapezoidal grille.
• Pronounced, rearward-stretching headlamps, giving the face of the Ford Verve concept a friendly, open and inviting personality.
• A toned and athletic hood sculpture that’s not overtly muscular.
• Prominent headlamps that feature two projector beams and a light-emitting diode (LED) array.
• Two unique LED side markers flank the front fascia.
• Specially designed 18-inch, 12-spoke two-piece alloy wheels that lend even more drama to the car.

From the side view, the Verve concept has a purposeful look:

• The profile is emphasized by the pillar-less side window shape, mirroring the body’s curving upper contour line. This extends rearward from the angular A-pillar to marry the semi-high-mounted, LED tail lamps sculpted to become part of the fullness of the body shape.
• These elements blend cohesively together and support the panoramic glass roof.
• Subtle chrome bars accent the door handles.
• Brushed aluminum accents the lower grille surround, the rear number plate surround, and the lower edge of the front fog lamps.
• Low-profile tires feature a sidewall stripe that complements the rich Rouge Red body color.

The Verve concept interior follows the sensuous curves and contours of the instrument panel shape and features:

• A center stack that decouples traditional elements of the entertainment system – the screen, control elements and the electronics. With these features separated, designers could position controls for optimal ergonomics – in a design resembling the logic of a mobile phone.
• A center console with a tray for mobile phone or MP3 player, and a large bin for a purse or shoulder bag near the handbrake.
• Heating/ventilation controls, highlighted in a lozenge shape at the midpoint of the center stack. They have large twist dials inspired by the sculpture found in high-quality power showers.
• Key electronic systems such as navigation, a dynamic sound system and in-car phone controls.
• Speedometer and tachometer that are uniquely framed by binocular-shaped, short tunnels of jewelry-like brightwork that complement the center stack and contrast the rich interior colors like a fashion accessory.
• A steering wheel sculpted of soft-feel material, punctuated by the Ford oval badge as a rich tactile and visual centerpiece.

Verve was developed through Ford’s new global product development system. Ford is building on its European small-car expertise to stake a bigger claim in this critically important segment. Ford’s celebrated small car lineup in Europe includes such top-sellers as the Ford Focus, Fiesta and Ka.

Verve provides a vision for a new world standard for quality, design and comfort. This strategy gives Verve a bold, modern, design along with sophisticated electronics, premium materials, surprising functional space and a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine – all previously unseen in the small car segment.

Ford maintains small-car leadership in Europe with vehicles set apart by their world-class driving dynamics and dynamic designs.

With more than five million vehicles produced in Europe since it was launched in 1998, the Ford Focus is one of the only vehicles in the world to be named “Car of the Year” both in Europe and in North America. It is Ford’s perennial top seller in Europe and, in 2007, was Europe’s top-selling car in its class.

The Ford Fiesta – which is smaller than the Focus – debuted in 1976, and it has sold more than 12 million units in Europe.

The iconic Ford Ka redefined the small city car sector in Europe with its eye-catching and enduring design and fun-to-drive character when it was introduced more than 11 years ago. Sales remain strong – with more than 1 million cars sold.

Momentum in small-car sales is outpacing overall industry growth worldwide. Globally, small car sales have grown from 23 million units in 2002 to an estimated 38 million in 2012. That’s nearly 45 percent of the total expected 85-million unit industry, a level never before achieved. In the U.S., sales of small cars likely will grow by 800,000, or 25 percent – to a record 3.4 million units by 2012.

In fact, small cars and crossovers are the only vehicles with projected near-term growth in the U.S.

Driving the growth in the U.S. market is a group of young people aged 13 to 28 years – dubbed “Millennials.” Today, this group stands 1.7 billion strong worldwide and will represent 28 percent of the total U.S. population by 2010.

As a group, Millennials embrace eco-friendliness, stay in constant touch using modern technology and demand best-in-class products from around the world. This group will grow from representing 19 percent of the driving public in 2004 to amassing 28 percent in 2010.

Every day, 11,000 Millennials in the U.S. come of driving age. When it’s time to buy their first car, nearly half of this group shops the small-car segment.