Ford pulls out all stops to create ideal supermini

KRIS CULMER

THE FINAL FIESTA left Ford’s factory in Cologne last Friday, ending nearly half a century of production – and neatly coinciding with our coverage of the supermini’s launch. The Fiesta’s origins can be traced back further than you may expect. Ford had never contested Europe’s ‘mini’ car market before, choosing in 1958 to follow the Anglia with another family car – the Cortina – in the correct belief that it would be a greater financial success. A belief solidified by a thorough teardown of Austin’s new Mini in 1959. However, as the Mini became a huge success and gained popular rivals in the Hillman Imp and Fiat 127, Ford felt it should think again. This spawned a mock-up that in 1970 gained reserved approval from management, after which the endeavour…

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Autocar (Digital) - 1 Issue, July 12, 2023

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