The last Ford Fiesta rolled off the assembly line, marking the end of an era for a model that has sold 22 million vehicles worldwide and holds the title of the UK's all-time bestselling car. This significant moment took place at Ford's factory in Cologne, Germany. However, as Ford bids farewell to the Fiesta, it is preparing to introduce a new lineup of electric vehicles, signaling a shift in its production strategy.
“At Ford in Europe, we are rapidly transitioning to an electric future. As part of this transition, production of the Fiesta in Cologne, Germany, will be discontinued from 7 July, and a new era at the Cologne electric vehicle centre will begin.”- Ford said in a statement.
The fate of the final two Fiestas holds symbolic value. One will be retained in Germany, while the other will join Ford's UK heritage collection. This milestone coincides with the impending 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Erin Baker, the editorial director of AutoTrader, an online vehicle trading marketplace, predicts that Ford's transition to electric cars will mirror the wider industry trend as the ban approaches.
The Ford Fiesta was introduced by the Michigan-based carmaker in 1976 as a response to the growing demand for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Over its impressive 47-year tenure on UK roads, the Fiesta has maintained its status as a modern classic. Out of the 22 million Fiestas sold worldwide, a significant 4.8 million were sold in the UK. Notably, the Fiesta held the title of the UK's top-selling model for an uninterrupted 12-year period from 2009 to 2020. However, the popularity of smaller cars has dwindled in recent years, largely due to the rising dominance of larger sports utility vehicles (SUVs).