fiesta discontinued: the history of the ford fiesta

At the end of 2022, Ford announced that it would be discontinuing the much-loved Fiesta in June 2023.

This car has been a favourite on British roads for generations – so much so that the car has gone through seven generations of design itself, with each version updating it to the contemporary qualifications for a great day-to-day car.

As the production of the Ford Fiesta comes to a close, let’s have a look at the life of this ‘classic’ car.

ford fiesta models by year

1976-1983

So, when was the first Ford Fiesta made? Originally named the ‘Bobcat’ project, the Fiesta was first announced in 1975. This car was designed with simplicity in mind, and more than a million of the first model were sold by the end of its production.

The Mk1 was launched as a three-door hatchback and was produced predominantly in Spain. However, other European factories were also used. Right from the start, the Fiesta was an affordable car, as it was designed to be a fuel-efficient solution to the 1973 oil crisis. It’s also widely acknowledged to be Ford’s first globally successful front-wheel drive car.

1983-1989

The Fiesta had its first update in 1983 with the introduction of wraparound headlights and a redesigned interior. The Mk2 featured various models, including the XR2 and diesel alternative.

During this time, the Vauxhall Nova and Austin Metro were also increasing in popularity, making them fierce competition for the Fiesta. But the latter remained the UK’s favourite supermini, with over 4.5 million sold by the end of its production.

1989-1997

The Mk3 was the first Fiesta that came as a five-door hatchback. In fact, it was quite different to its previous models, featuring quite the makeover. From a heated windscreen to semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, the Ford Fiesta was adjusting to modernity.

Its overall driving dynamics were improved too, and fuel-injected engines were introduced to the UK models in 1991.

1995-2002

In 1995, the Mk4 was introduced, with a much rounder design than its boxy predecessors. The older 1.8 litre diesel and Endura E engines remained available, but new Zetec SE engines were also introduced with the Mk4.

Generally, the Mk4 had both an external facelift and some work done under the hood, giving it an all-round upgrade to become a more desirable vehicle.

2002-2008

As with all generations of Fiesta, the Mk5 was an upgrade again in both safety and looks. This was the first Fiesta to have anti-lock brakes and passenger airbags as standard, and had a sleeker look than the previous variant.

The Mk5 became the most sold version of the Ford Fiesta to date, thanks to its range of engine choices and it’s 2005 ‘Mk5.5’ update. The 5.5 included even more tech, helping it to feel like a family car despite being on the smaller side. Bluetooth, automatic headlights, and power-fold door mirrors were all part of the upgrade.

2008-2016

Ford Fiesta’s Mk6 is still incredibly common on modern roads – as is the Mk5. The 2008 model introduced a more streamlined aesthetic, giving it a sporty edge while still having an affordable cost.

The Mk6 was one of the first models to be entirely universal, meaning that wherever in the world you bought a Ford Fiesta, it would look and act the same way.

The focus of the Fiesta was to adapt to the financial crisis of the late 2000s, and it was designed as an efficient, smaller car that still had all the style and functionality perks of a larger one.

As with the Mk5, the Mk6 had a mid-life refresh with added tech, including the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. This version of the Ford Fiesta has been popular for a reason, selling 300,000 every year during its production.

2016-2023

Source: Taunton Ford

The final iteration of the Ford Fiesta, as we now know, is the Mk7. Ford branched out with this model, offering alternatives to its standard three and five-door hatch designs.

The Vignale models offered more indulgent features, whereas Active ones took inspiration from SUVs with accessories like roof bars.

Streamlined and sophisticated while still incredibly practical, there’s no denying that the Ford Fiesta Mk7 is a fantastic car. While it’s a shame to see the end of production for this staple of a car, we can’t help but feel that this model is a great one to bring the Fiesta’s progression to a conclusion.

why did ford discontinue the fiesta?

There are several reasons behind Ford discontinuing the Fiesta, the main one being that the manufacturer is trying to focus on electrification. Electric vehicles are now Ford’s priority, having announced a goal to have these cars make up 40% of the manufacturer’s global sales by 2030.

As well as this, the cost of parts is ever-increasing, and drivers are leaning more towards SUV-style cars. With all these factors combined, it seems that Ford has weighed it up and decided it’s time to say goodbye to the Fiesta.

What will replace the ford fiesta?

There is no direct replacement lined up for the Ford Fiesta, but Ford has announced an electric variant of the Ford Puma SUV for 2023, advancing on its pre-existing 2020 model (pictured). The design of this five-door SUV is somewhat based on the final Mk7 Ford Fiesta, with the same chassis and engines as the soon-to-expire car.

Although unofficial, the Fiesta lives on in the Puma SUV while addressing concerns of a growing SUV market. The options available for the Puma aren’t quite as wide as the Fiesta for now, but there are still plenty to choose from, with more available soon.

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