September 2001-- Ford unveiled its all-new Fiesta today at the 2001 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The first in a new family of small-cars from Ford, the roomy and stylish Fiesta is poised to win a leading place in the growing European small car segment.

David Thursfield, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford of Europe, underscored the importance of Fiesta to Ford's business when he pulled the wraps off the new car. "The new Fiesta is proof of our commitment to the small-car segment and its importance to our business," he said. "It is a key part of what is making our transformation in Europe so successful."

In the 18 months since launching an aggressive European Transformation Strategy, Ford has dramatically turned itself around - creating a significantly strengthened business structure, enhanced brand identity and improved financial health. Ford has gained market share and also delivered the first widely-praised models in an expanding product line-up.

"We are all proud of our achievements, but we are most proud of what matters to our customers, the credibility of our products and a single-minded commitment to what our customers want and expect. The right product is key to that and the new Fiesta delivers. The model we are showing in Frankfurt is just the first stage in a journey that will provide a unique family of four quite different models to suit different customer needs," he added.

Ford's Conclusive Proof

At the Frankfurt Motor Show Ford is demonstrating its renewed product strength, with the world's favourite car, the Ford Focus, the Van of the Year-winning Ford Transit and, of course, the Ford Mondeo - winner of more than 25 European awards.

There is much more though, with Ford also showing for the first time a now-complete family of cars featuring acclaimed second-generation diesel technology - the Ford Focus TDCi, Ford Mondeo TDCi and new Ford Fiesta TDCi.

The spirit of performance returns to Ford with new performance derivatives of the popular Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo making their debut in Frankfurt. The Focus ST170 and the Mondeo ST220 are set to go on sale early in 2002.

Ford also highlights enhancements to the Focus range at the Frankfurt Show, including new options and technologies, new specification levels and, of course, the new Focus ST170. Additionally Ford's first working production-prototype direct-hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle - the Ford Focus FCV - is being shown.

For more rugged and demanding requirements Ford provides the new Ford Explorer sports utility vehicle and Ford Maverick compact SUV, plus the top-selling Ford Ranger pick-up. Adding the final flourish to a host of new products, Ford is also giving a first continental Europe public showing to the all-new front wheel drive Ford Tourneo, a luxurious eight or nine seater.

"We have trebled the pace of our new product launch activity. New product and the application of new technology leads our transformation, and our performance through the first two quarters of 2001 shows our strategy is working. Mondeo sales in the period were 67 per cent up, Focus sales topped 312,000 and our share of the European vehicle market rose to 8.8 per cent. We hit an 8.4 per cent share of the German vehicle market for the six months, are heading the British market for a 25th consecutive year and have also seen Transit sales up by 28 per cent. We are targeting break even in 2001 and a return to profitability in 2002," Mr Thursfield added.