Ford’s current Fiesta Movement was a really great idea.  It put 100 European-spec Fiestas in the hands of 100 drivers and gave them free range to say what they wanted about the car; be it online, via print or any other media outlet they chose.  The car has a 60% recognition score which is big for a car on the market, yet the Fiesta won’t even be on sale until next year!  Well Ford has decided to look for people to participate in the Fiesta Movement 2!  This effort will focus more on the owning aspect of a Fiesta.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

On Friday night, around 10:00 PM, I parked next to one of the 100 Fiesta Movement vehicles in the parking lot of a P. F. Chang’s in Lansing, Michigan.  ”How cool!” I thought, what are the odds that I would run into of the 100 vehicles that were handed out as part of the Fiesta Movement?  Then to my surprise, I ran into the owner, Fiesta Agent 22, Bryan Redeker from Grand Haven, Michigan!  Another box can be checked off my list of things to do before I die.  Not only was Bryan enthusiastic about meeting me, a Ford engineer, but he is totally pumped for the U. S. launch of the Fiesta!

Why wouldn’t he be?  It’s one of the best looking B cars that will be available anywhere, and on top of that, it is fun to drive!  For more on the car, head on over to the Ford Vehicles website.

(Image source: Fiesta Movement)

The LA Auto Show has been pretty big for Ford in recent years.  Last years show featured the unveiling of the 2010 Mustang.  This years show will be home to the release of the 2011 Ford Fiesta.  Sure, you’re seen the Fiesta online a million times by now, what with the Fiesta Movement going on and all, but this will be the first time the North American version is seen by the public.  It is expected to only receive minor changes due to differences in crash regulations, but that’s about it!  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

The most interesting part to me is the fact that Ford is stating that they have 50,000 people interested in the car, and 97% of those do not currently own a Ford!

(Image source: Ford)

Fiesta agent, Ryan Dembrosk, took on the mission of visiting the “Will it blend?” studio in Orem, Utah to try and blend a piece of boron steel. Boron steel is used extensively throughout the structure of the new Ford Fiesta because of its excellent strength to weight characteristics. In fact, more than 50 percent of the new Ford Fiesta body structure is made of high-strength steel. But despite the high strength, the material is also very light, helping the vehicle achieve higher fuel efficiency.

Long story short, the amazing Blendtec blender was not able to blend the piece of boron steel; this dude might need to find a new job now! Check out the video for your entertainment.

For more information on Fiesta’s use of boron steel, take a look at this old post.

Ford Motor Company is excited about the all new Ford Fiesta.  This car is something to be excited about, as it has won numerous awards in Europe, as well as winning comparisons against sales champs like the Honda Fit.  So, to generate more interest, Ford gave away free six month leases to 100 Fiestas.  Thinking that the “Fiesta Movement” as it is called was not enough, Ford has decided to do something even bigger.  Five teams of five European spec Fiestas will be traveling around the country, making stops in 100 cities in the hope of recording 100,000 test drives before the car is even available for sale.  For all the details, as well as Ford’s press release, head on over to Autoblog.

2011 Ford Fiesta (Ford)

Jalopnik has had a chance to drive and review one of the 100 Ford Fiestas being brought over here from Europe as part of the Fiesta movement.  Their verdict?  Why don’t I just let a section of the article do the talking:

“It’s hard to know which cars to compare the Fiesta directly to. The Versa, Yaris and xA are priced similarly, but fall into the traditional American small car trap of being pieces of crap.  The Honda Fit is a comparable drive and has ridiculous amounts of space inside, but it’s more expensive and not as luxurious. The lower end of Ford’s US-spec Focus overlaps the upper end of the Fiesta’s price range, but the Fiesta feels more expensive, not less.”

You heard that right folks.  A Nissan, Toyota and Scion were all called PIECES OF CRAP when compared to a FORD!  Maybe this little B-car can start to change people’s perceptions about American made products…probably not, but hey, I can dream (it is my birthday after all) can’t I?  For the full review, as well as tons of great pictures of the car, head on over to Jalopnik.