Ford Australia yet to decide on the Ford Fiesta Mk7’s launch - Report

22/09/2017 - 18:03 Ford Fiesta, Ford Sagar Parikh

The seventh generation Ford Fiesta arrived last year with a strong, or perhaps undivided focus on Europe. While the USA will not receive the new model, hopes are still alive for Australia as a decision on the local launch is still pending.

2018 Ford Fiesta ST front three quarter at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show Live — Ford won't produce the latest Fiesta in Thailand, and sourcing it from Germany won't make economic sense for Australia. 2018 Ford Fiesta ST pictured.

Speaking to CarAdvice, Damion Smy, Product Communications Manager, Ford Australia, confirmed that the local arm is still unclear about launching the seventh-gen Fiesta. “We have no announcements on Fiesta at this stage, and will make announcements in due course,” Mr Smy said.

Previous reports have talked about the B-segment shrinking in Australia when considering hatchbacks. Add the consumer focus shifting towards sub-compact SUVs, Ford Australia has more reasons to rethink the continuation of the all-new Fiesta. The old model is imported from Thailand, where there’s still no word on the all-new model’s arrival. If the Thai plant does not get the contract for the new car, it could lead to the Fiesta leaving the Blue Oval’s Australian line-up.

According to a report from motoring.com.au, Ford will not retool its Rayong manufacturing facility in Thailand for the seventh-gen Fiesta. No Thai production means the company’s Australian arm would have to source the car from Cologne, Germany. Price-wise, this just won’t make sense. Hence, the local subsidiary will import only the all-new Ford Fiesta ST. The performance variant will gain the brand some bragging rights in the segment and also allow for a premium pricing. However Ford is yet to confirm these claims.

2018 Ford Fiesta ST rear three quarter at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show Live — Ford Australia will likely import only the all-new Ford Fiesta ST variant from Germany.

Also See: Ford Fiesta Active showcased at IAA 2017 – Live

Introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Ford Fiesta ST debuts a new 1.5-litre ECOBOOST engine. The turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine puts out 200 PS and 290 PS of torque. It makes the hot-hatch capable of completing a 0-100 km/h sprint in only 6.7 seconds. Available in 3- and 5-door versions, the all-new Ford Fiesta ST will go on sale in Europe in early 2018. Its Australian launch won’t take place before 2019, though.

[Source 1: CarAdvice]

[Source 2: motoring.com.au]