US Ford Fiesta, Focus Still in Play

The new Ford Fiesta and Focus models will arrive in the United States next year, just as initially planned, the company's product development chief told Reuters, hinting that the restructuring process goes as expected. Both the Fiesta and Focus will be produced in Mexico, with the first to be rolled out in the first half of 2010 while the latter will arrive in the second half.

"Right now, both of those programs remain on target," Derrick Kuzak, said in an interview. "And on the Fiesta side, launching in the U.S., we will be building on some very good momentum because the vehicle has already launched in other regions of the world."

"We are convinced, based on the China experience and based on the Fiesta experience, the commonality levels are very very high, but yet it seems clear that we are able to satisfy individual market needs," Kuzak said.

Additionally, Ford will also move production of the next generation Transit Connect in the United States in 2012, with the plants in Wayne, Mich., and Louisville, Ky. currently in the race for hosting the manufacturing. The current Transit Conect goes on sale this summer and is imported from Turkey, with Ford emphasizing that it is one of the most efficient vehicles in its class.

“No other vehicle on the road in the U.S. today delivers the combination of fuel economy and useful space as the Ford Transit Connect,” said Chief Nameplate Engineer, Rob Stevens. “It’s a unique package, offering a 1,600 pound payload, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and superior fuel economy.”