SÃO PAULO -- This month, Ford Brazil reached the production milestone of one million Ford Fiesta units (Brazilian models – both the Hatchback and Sedan versions) at Ford's Camaçari Plant in Bahia. A pioneering vehicle model with high production numbers in the Northeast region, the Ford Fiesta is one of the best-selling cars in Brazil and has revolutionized the compact-car segment, offering a distinctive combination of design, space, drivability, equipment and price.

"This significant volume of production in less than eight years on the market shows that the Fiesta line is one of the most beloved of the country. The model is a sales success because it meets the customer's taste, not only in Brazil but also in several other Latin American markets," says Jorge Chear, director, Marketing and Sales, Ford Brazil. Since its launch, there have been more than 230,000 units exported to countries such as Argentina and Mexico, representing 35 percent of the total exported by Ford Brazil since 2003.

In the sales mix, the Fiesta line presents a balanced profile, with about 60 percent of the volume represented by the Hatchback version and 40 percent by the Sedan. Since the beginning of its production in Camaçari Plant, the model has been a steady presence among the 10 most sold in Brazil.

One of the reasons for the Fiesta's success is its continuous innovation, which is in tune with consumer desires. The 2008 model-year Fiesta received a new design and expanded the equipment options. In the current 2011 line, Fiesta has undergone a new update, focusing mainly on the front end, with a new grille and elongated headlights that make a more modern impact. The Fiesta is the only one in the segment that comes standard equipped with power locks, remote doors and trunk opening, find button, alarm, doors locking at 15 km/h and electric trunk release button in the dashboard.

The line is equipped with 1.0L and 1.6L RoCam Flex Fuel engines and has as strong point its drivability, low maintenance cost and the price of insurance, which is generally lower due to both active and passive security options and its reparability and spare parts cost.

Camaçari Plant
Car innovations also extended to the production site. The Ford plant in Camaçari pioneered the sequenced modular assembly system and adopts the most advanced systems for sustainability. This modern and flexible structure facilitated the introduction of successive product improvements that show growth both in quality and customer satisfaction indicators.

"The new Fiesta is undoubtedly one of the most important in Ford portfolio. It is a best-selling model and has fully justified the large investment we made in line to offer one of the best compact cars in the country," adds Jorge Chear.

Fiesta Milestones
Launched in Europe in 1976, the Fiesta was the first Ford car with transverse engine and front wheel driving. The second generation was launched in 1983. In 1995, the third generation, which was imported from Spain, was the beginning of Fiesta sales in Brazil. Shortly after, Ford started local production of the fourth generation, the Fiesta Street, supplemented from the year 2000 with the Street Sedan version, imported from Mexico.

Thus commenced a new phase in its history:
• In 2002, the new Fiesta began production. This was the fifth generation of the product in the Camaçari plant.

• In 2004, the line was expanded with the simultaneous launching of the new sedan version and the 1.6L Flex Fuel engine. In the following year, the Trail and ST personalization kits were introduced.

• In 2006, the 1.0L Flex Fuel engine was offered.

• In 2008, the line was restyled and gained new options.

• In 2010, renewed the design and content with the 2011 line arrival.