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Business & Money • Automotive

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car produced by Ford from 1976 to 2023.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car produced by Ford from 1976 to 2023. It was sold over seven generations and became one of Ford’s most successful nameplates worldwide. Production ended in 2023, including the final car built in Cologne, Germany.

History

The Fiesta debuted in 1976 as a compact front-wheel-drive model and became Ford’s first widely successful car of that layout. It remained in production through seven generations until Ford ended the model in 2023.

Design and market position

The Fiesta was sold as a small hatchback and, in some markets, as a sedan or with other body styles. It competed in the supermini/subcompact segment against models such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i20, and Toyota Yaris.

Sales and significance

The Fiesta was one of Ford’s most successful nameplates, with more than 15 million sold by mid-2011 and later reporting placing production above 20 million units. It was also a long-running strong seller in the UK and other markets.

End of production

Ford ended Fiesta production in 2023, with the last car built at the Cologne plant in Germany. The decision reflected Ford’s shift away from small passenger cars in several markets.

Key facts

  • The Ford Fiesta was a subcompact car produced from 1976 to 2023 across seven generations.
  • It was one of Ford’s best-selling nameplates, with over 15 million sold by July 2011 and later reports of more than 20 million produced.
  • The Fiesta was offered primarily as a hatchback, with other body styles in some markets.
  • Production ended in 2023, with the final car built in Cologne, Germany.
  • The Fiesta was sold in Canada in earlier model years and remains a common used-car reference point.
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Canadian context

The Fiesta was sold in Canada in earlier model years and is relevant to Canadian readers as a common used-car and subcompact reference point, especially for buyers comparing small hatchbacks and fuel-efficient city cars.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ford Fiesta?
The Ford Fiesta is a small car, classified as a supermini or subcompact, that Ford produced from 1976 to 2023.
When was the Ford Fiesta first introduced?
It was introduced in 1976.
When did Ford stop making the Fiesta?
Ford ended Fiesta production in 2023, with the final car built in Cologne, Germany.
How many generations of Fiesta were made?
The Fiesta was produced over seven generations.
Was the Ford Fiesta sold worldwide?
Yes. The Fiesta was marketed in multiple regions and became a globally sold Ford nameplate.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fiesta
    Supports: Production dates, seven generations, class, and sales total by July 2011.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fiesta
    Supports: End of production in July 2023 and final car built in Cologne.
  3. Ford Media — https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/Europe/documents/en/2021/2021FordFiesta_EU.pdf
    Supports: Recent Fiesta variant details and continuation of the model into the early 2020s.
  4. Auto Express — https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/fiesta
    Supports: Body styles, engine lineup, dimensions, and market positioning.
  5. CarGurus UK — https://www.cargurus.co.uk/research/articles/ford-fiesta-models
    Supports: Historical significance, transverse front-wheel-drive layout, and end of production in 2023.
  6. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/ford-fiesta/
    Supports: Model-year body styles and North American production history.