When We Say We Miss Something, What Exactly Are We Missing?

It is said that the car's creation has an interesting backstory. Initially, the project was internally known at Ford as the "Bobcat project." When it came to naming, the team voted for "Bravo," but the then-CEO, Henry Ford II, personally named it "Fiesta," which, like its literal meaning (celebration), represented an optimistic, forward-looking attitude toward life.

Since its debut in 1976, the Ford Fiesta has undergone seven generations of innovation over 47 years, with cumulative global sales exceeding 22 million units, making it an irreplaceable classic in the hearts of a generation. The agility and fun the Fiesta represents are still fondly discussed by fans, even after its global discontinuation in 2023.

Many owners tirelessly hunt for a Fiesta with their preferred color and configuration, then personally inspect, repair, and modify it, ultimately creating a four-wheeled vehicle that satisfies them. This flexible, durable, "retro" toy, with its reliable engine and chassis, carries them down more roads of fun.

This atmosphere of fun has actually been deeply rooted in the Fiesta's DNA. When it first took to the stage in June 1976, it chose to debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With its lightweight body of only 700 kg, outstanding fuel economy, and excellent visibility, it quickly won market favor.

By January 1979, the Ford Fiesta had reached its 1 millionth unit off the assembly line, and by the time of its model change in 1983, its cumulative sales had already reached 2.1 million units.

Later, the high-performance version of the Ford Fiesta—the Fiesta ST—pushed the spirit of "fun to drive" to its peak, becoming a benchmark in the "hot hatch" segment. These models redefined driving pleasure with their compact body, strong power, and superior handling. The second-generation Fiesta ST, equipped with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbo engine, had a maximum horsepower of 182 (which could jump to 200 in overboost mode). It won "Best Performance Car of the Year" or "Driver's Car of the Year" awards from almost all major automotive media outlets, hailed as "one of the greatest small hot hatches ever made."

The Fiesta truly won the widespread affection of Chinese consumers in March 2009 with the introduction of the sixth-generation Fiesta by Changan Ford. Celebrated globally for its stylish and dynamic appearance, excellent handling, and good fuel economy, it quickly achieved impressive results in the Chinese market.

Never Letting Me Down @ Wentao Mao

Wentao Mao, an engineer working at Nanjing REC, didn't hesitate to buy a Ford Fiesta in his first month as a full-time Ford employee.

His reasons were simple: "It's small and agile, looks great, handles well, has a solid chassis, and offers high cost-performance. It totally outshines other similar models."

He took meticulous care of his Fiesta. In the days right after getting the car, he would wipe it down carefully every few days, gently open and close the doors, and try to keep his distance from other vehicles on the road, terrified of it getting dirty or scratched.

And Fiesta repaid him with complete trust and reliability. It worked tirelessly year-round, commuting with him on weekdays and taking the whole family on trips on holidays, essentially covering all the fun he and his family had on weekends and holidays. From nearby scenic spots in and around Nanjing to long-distance treks spanning thousands of kilometers over ten continuous hours, Fiestanever threw a tantrum or broke down. It has always accompanied them silently and dutifully, never requiring any repairs outside of routine maintenance.

Shining Through the Years @ Susan Fei

Unlike the resolute decision in the previous story, Susan’s affection for Fiestagrew gradually through their time together.

One year, she invited her parents to Ford's Family Day. Afterward, the novice driver nervously but bravely drove her new car, a blue Fiesta through the most congested area in Nanjing, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum scenic spot, to sightsee with her parents.

Unfortunately, a small train at the scenic area sharply scraped the car, leaving the bodywork dented. Looking at the "disfigured" car, she felt anxious and guilty—she had to comfort her parents, immediately call colleagues for guidance on handling the accident, and was annoyed at herself for letting the car get hurt.

Susan was still nervous when the 4S shop notified her the repairs were complete and she went to pick up the car. "Walking past rows of cars, I finally saw it sparkling in the sunlight—it was brand new, flawless! Little Jia was healed without a scar! I was excited, looking and touching it again and again. It was incredible, and I was even a little proud of it." It was this small incident that forged a deep bond between Susan and her Fiesta.