Perhaps all of this doom and gloom over the spy pictures is what is supposed to happen when you look at them. I try my best to read into what is going on, mostly because my future car depends on it. There really is a flip-side to these pictures. Part of me is still wants to believe that the pictures are designed to mislead people. They are doing a great job of that! Maybe the dash is covered in attempts to get me to think the production car will be different, when in fact, it will see very little changes. The front bumper treatment could be early shots from a mold and have no intentions on going into production. It is very hard to figure this all out being an outsider, so Ford’s plan is working. That is assuming it is their plan. I still want a Fiesta, and I believe in Ford. I think “One Ford” still has a place, and perhaps it will happen. It is hard when history shows otherwise, and being skeptical is well warranted. There is no doubt that the current EU Fiesta is one of the very best cars made, and I will work as hard as I can to make sure the US car is as good. This may mean I am overly critical on simple things, but it is because I care deeply about Ford’s future. I want them to succeed, I need them to succeed! After all, my next car is in their hands! If Ford’s camo is designed to throw off people, it is working great. The US deserves a good small car, and the Fiesta is that car.
I’m guardedly optimistic at this point. I’ve been decoding spy photos since long before I could drive and the vibe I’m getting from the US prototypes is that it may be more serious and sober than the EU/China model but still a high quality execution (think new Taurus).
The spy pictures show one thing, Fiesta training says something else, and people who have seen the US car seem to think the changes are not as the camo’d cars show. I guess none of us will know for a few more months.
Ford could/should do what GM did when it brought over the “Saturn” Astra — they replaced the Opel badge with a Saturn badge, changed the markings on the speedometer from km/h to mph and printed the owners manual in English. that’s it. they even offer optional Pirelli summer tires in place of all-season Hankooks. after driving the Fiesta at 3 [yes three] Fiesta movement ride-n-drives, I like the 5-speed manual 5-door as is with 16-inch wheels and Pirelli summer tires.
The USA front face is shaping up to look like a combo of the EU and India Fiesta http://bit.ly/Q4OIb
My feeling is that Ford USA still has some people in the organization that feel if it is not designed by Americans it is not good for business. Past history should make these people aware that this type of thinking was a mistake.
Mr. Mulally when cleaning house maybe missed a few of the ole boys club that hate to hear all this buzz about those fine Euro-Fords.
For myself I will wait and see what Ford N.A. does with the global Focus , as with the Fiesta the timing etc gives the ole boys at Dearborn room for a number of excuses for all the changes that are happening.
Ford Dearborn can design and build great trucks and SUVs, but when it comes to sleek, refined, fine driving cars, Martin Smith and the gang at Ford Europe have got it going!
Bryan,
Whatever other car(s) you’re considering will still be available when the NA Fiesta is formally unveiled. So, unless you would be passing up some killer deal on a car right now in hope that the Fiesta will be what you want it to be, there’s little reason to obsess over spy shots.
Just enjoy the Euro Fiesta that you do have for the time you still have it, and wait until the NA Fiesta is formally unveiled, and make your decisions then when you’re fully informed of the situation..
RT,
That is what my plan is. I will keep saying “no changes” but wait until the car is out before doing anything. I may still wait and see if there is any talk of a performance version. If the US car looks like the Verve Sedan, it will be hard for me to wait for a performance version. I really love the Fiesta and want one. It is everything I want in car. I fight to keep it close to the EU version because the car is outstanding. From the 08 Focus, I learned that being vocal can bring changes. The car changed from auto show to production, and then changed some more after the first year. If nobody says “no” to the changes, nobody will know they are not liked.