DETROIT — Ford on Thursday confirmed that its new subcompact car will be called the Fiesta in markets worldwide.
Ford had said the global vehicle would be coming to market but hadn’t revealed whether it would keep the Fiesta name or choose something new. Ford has sold 12 million Fiestas since the small car went on sale in Europe in 1976. While it’s also familiar to customers in Asia and South America, the Fiesta was sold in the U.S. only from 1978 to 1980.
The new version was designed in Europe and will be sold there next fall in three- and five-door hatchback styles. Other versions of the Fiesta, including a four-door sedan, will be sold in North America, Asia, South Africa and Australia by 2010.
Ford plans to unveil a production- ready version of the Fiesta at the Geneva AutoShow next month.
Ford has been hinting at the design of the new global car with its sporty, aerodynamic Ford Verve concept, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007.
