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Ford Fiesta Dazzles at Thailand Motor Expo - VIDEO ENHANCED


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

•Best-selling Ford Fiesta to make ASEAN debut at Thailand Motor Expo, providing Ford customers with an all-new, fun-to-drive, small car.

•New Fiesta will be available in a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, both of which will be produced in Thailand for local and export markets starting in 2010. This underlines Ford's commitment to offer a larger product portfolio to ASEAN markets.

•Titanium Limited Edition Ford Focus, new Ford Everest Navy Edition, as well as a new model line-up of Ford Ranger WildTrak 4x2 and the new Ford Escape will also be on display.


AUTO CENTRAL - January 12, 2010: Lost amongst all the North American auto show news this past few weeks we missed an interesting and important auto show that took place in Bangkok, Thailand. Ford's all-new global Ford Fiesta made its ASEAN debut at the Thailand International Motor Expo at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from December 2-13, giving the Thai public its first look at this wildly popular car that has sold more than a half million units in its first 12 months.


Click PLAY to watch video. In Thai only

The dynamic all-new Fiesta will go on sale in Thailand in just a few short months and will be locally produced at AutoAlliance Thailand's new $500 million small car production facility, which will supply the entire ASEAN region, as well as the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa markets.

The five-door hatchback version on the Ford stand will provide an up-close look at the attractive design that will be available to ASEAN consumers. A four-door sedan will also be available when production begins in 2010.

The all-new Fiesta continues to build upon the solid reputation of small car expertise from Ford. Since its introduction, Fiesta has been a showcase for small car engineering with exceptional fuel efficiency, excellent road handling and vehicle dynamics.

Fiesta's all-new aerodynamic shape minimizes noise, vibration and harshness and enhances its fuel efficiency. Showcasing Ford's kinetic design themes, the bold, sophisticated styling includes a sporty grille reflecting a strong Ford family presence, wrap-around headlamps, pronounced wheel arches and taut body lines highlighted with chrome trim, as well being available in a variety of colour choices.

Like the outside, boldly shaped surfaces express the individuality and distinctiveness of Fiesta inside. Flowing surfaces and contrasting colours wrap around the cabin that is both warm and inviting. While the expressive interior is designed primarily for younger customers, traditional buyers will also be pleasantly surprised at the packaging which conveys both sophistication and luxury without sacrificing form and function.

Instrumentation is easy to read, control stalks are precise and delightful to use and the centre console with radio/CD, heating-ventilation and air-conditioning controls are ergonomically designed for ease of use and to convey a feeling of quality.

“The ASEAN launch will write the next chapter in our global Ford Fiesta success story and continue to highlight Ford's leadership in small car design and development," said David Alden, president, Ford ASEAN. "Stylish Thai and other ASEAN consumers will appreciate the uniqueness and undeniable appeal of the Fiesta to express their individuality, style and sophistication.”

Already a favourite in European markets with consumers and media alike, Fiesta has won numerous editorial awards from automotive enthusiast magazines, including Top Gear, Car, Car & Driver and 4 Wheels. Recently the car was lauded with 2009 Car of the Year honours from Auto Express, What Car? and Sun Motors.

Coinciding with the launch in Thailand, Ford will introduce the new Fiesta at the Los Angeles Auto Show, one of the largest car markets in the United States.

The Ford stand will also feature Ford's entire product lineup in Thailand, including a new, fully-equipped with the imported accessories, Titanium Limited Edition Ford Focus 2.0L. A new Ford Everest Navy Edition with the latest colour option "Titanium Grey", as well as a new model line-up of Ford Ranger WildTrak 4x2 with a manual transmission and the new Ford Escape will also be on display.

As part of the Motor Expo, Ford will offer consumers special incentives on all Ford models sold at any of its nationwide network of authorized dealers during the Expo dates. The incentives include either a free warranty program of five-years, or up to 100,000 kilometres (five years/105,000 for Ford Focus models), or any of the following incentive packages:

1.Ford Focus TDCi 6-speed PowerShift: 2.59% interest, 48-month instalment payment, free one-year first-class insurance 2.The new Ford Focus Duratec E20: prices start from THB 749,000, 1.99% interest, free one-year first-class insurance 3.Ford Everest: 2.39% interest, 48-month instalment payment, free one-year first-class insurance 4.Ford Escape: 2.39% interest, 48-month instalment payment, free one-year first-class insurance 5.The new Ford Ranger (all models): 1.99% interest, 48-month instalment payment, free one-year first-class insurance