• Fiesta Movement Chapter 2 wraps up and Team Houston is named the winner
• Team Houston will collect two all-new 2011 Ford Fiestas as their prize, and will donate one to a Houston-area charity, Noah’s Kitchen
• Agent content has garnered significant numbers on social media sites – nearly 500,000 YouTube views, more than 70,000 Flickr views and more than 10.7 million Twitter impressions

DEARBORN, Mich., July 6, 2010 – Ford’s Fiesta Movement agent teams designed clothes, created wall art, directed short films and even teamed up with local bands, all with an eye toward bringing Ford’s hot-selling new car to life in local communities across America.

And when the book was closed on the last mission in Ford’s social media adventure, it was a team from Houston that emerged as winners of Fiesta Movement Chapter 2.

“Our agents amazed us with the creative content they came up with, and Team Houston was exceptional,” said Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliances manager. “They showed everyone what a great car Fiesta is and brought their community along for the ride.”

As winners of the second chapter of the Fiesta Movement, agents Mark and Amber from Houston will each receive a new 2011 Ford Fiesta. The two agents, however, decided to do something unique with one of their Fiestas – they are donating it to a local Houston charity, Noah’s Kitchen, which helps to serve the less fortunate with meals. Fiesta will serve as the first fleet car for Noah’s Kitchen and help them achieve their goals.

Fiesta Movement Chapter 2 had 20 teams of two agents bring the 2011 Fiesta to life through missions inspired by Ford’s new small car. As a natural progression from the first phase of the Fiesta Movement, missions were centered on each team’s neighborhood, with agents tapping into their local communities to help execute and promote missions.

Overall agent postings throughout the Fiesta Movement have garnered:

• Nearly 500,000 YouTube views
• More than 70,000 Flickr views
• More than 10.7 million Twitter impressions
  

Since the launch of Fiesta Movement last year, the Fiesta has captured the attention of a very diverse audience. As the cars arrive in the U.S. this summer, Fiesta owners can share their Fiesta experiences through Facebook, Twitter or Fiesta Faction, the Ford Fiesta enthusiast site.

“Excitement has been building for the Fiesta since last year,” said Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager. “As customers take delivery of their Fiestas, we hope they will continue to share their experiences with the Fiesta through their own social media channels.”

Following along on TV
Fiesta Movement followers can check out the missions on Current TV, which will air abbreviated versions of the four most creative short films from the fourth mission on the “Max and Jason” show. Additionally, Current TV has featured highlights of the first three missions, which are available on www.current.com.

The new 2011 Ford Fiesta is one of this year's Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, according to editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, who describe Ford's new small car as "better looking, nicer inside and even more fun" than the Honda Fit – one of Fiesta's main competitors. Cars making the 2010 list were chosen based on safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort and technology. They also were judged on fun-to-own and fun-to-drive factors – which kbb.com calls that "je ne sais quoi that separates the dullards from the brilliant."

To view the full article, click here.

In an effort to keep our Fiesta fans and followers updated, My New Ford Fiesta would like to to inform you of the recent delays in the delivery of the much anticipated Fiesta arrivals.

Due to the recent hurricane, rail lines in Northern Mexico have sustained significant damage. At this time there is no train traffic headed into or out of Mexico through the Laredo or Eagle Pass border crossings. For that reason, we are forced to divert normal Fiesta rail traffic heading to the Midwest. Fiesta's that were designated for the Midwest will be diverted from Cuautitlan to Hermosillo for re-distribution to the Midwest states. At a minimum, this will increase Fiesta delivery times to the Midwest ramps by 13 days.

There are currently 300 brand new Ford Fiesta's on rail cars that are stuck between Cuautitlan and Laredo. Due to rail car congestion on this line, the carrier is unable to re-route these cars back to Cuautitlan. Once the line is reinstated, these cars will continue on into the United States. The delay of these cars is expected to be approximately two weeks.

Stay tuned here at mynewfordfiesta.com for the latest news and updates on the arrivals of the much awaited Ford Fiesta...Coming Soon!!

Remember when Ford Fiesta debuted at the X Games in 2009 and took home gold and bronze in rally competition? Well, this year the Ford Fiesta will return to defend its title with an all-star four-man driver lineup that includes Ford rally superstar Ken Block at X Games 16 in Los Angeles, July 29 to Aug. 1.

Block will be joined by last year’s trio of gold medal winner Kenny Brack, bronze medal winner Tanner Foust and Brian Deegan, who edged Block in a quarterfinal matchup in 2009.

Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following among the action sports community with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube and his push-the-limits approach to rally racing. Block partnered with Ford earlier this year and is running the Fiesta in Rally America and the Focus RS in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Block proved that not only is the all-new Ford Fiesta fun to drive and easy to maneuver, but it is also reliably fast as he piloted the Monster World Rally Team Fiesta to victory at the 2010 Rally America 100 Acre Wood Rally. It marked the first win for Fiesta in a North American stage rally and the first for a Fiesta in Rally America competition.

Learn more about Fiesta at the X Games.

Ford’s all-new 2011 Fiesta – an Internet star even before it goes on sale this summer – will now stand out on the highway with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified 40 mpg rating, making it the most fuel efficient car in its class.

The Ford Fiesta 40 mpg, achieved with Ford’s new six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, is 5 mpg better than the Honda Fit and 4 mpg better than the Toyota Yaris.

Fiesta’s class-leading fuel efficiency follows Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient midsize sedan – and other fuel economy champs such as the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford Ranger pickup. For 2011, the streak continues with the Mustang V-6, Ford Super Duty and now the responsive, sporty and economical Fiesta. Moving forward, Ford is committed to being a fuel economy leader in each segment in which it competes.

The Fiesta achieves its best-in-segment fuel figures thanks to a host of fuel-saving technologies not normally seen at this price level. To increase fuel economy, Fiesta features a new 1.6-liter Duratec® engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) that delivers 120 horsepower, an aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff and an engine accessory drive system that improves efficiency by reducing the energy it takes to power the air conditioner and alternator.

In addition, the Fiesta also features the PowerShift transmission, a six-speed automatic that combines the fuel benefits of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. Combine that with electric power-assisted steering, another fuel saver and some aerodynamic optimizations and you have a car that can go a long way on a single tank of fuel.

The 2011 Fiesta with standard five-speed manual transmission is EPA rated at 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.

These efficiency innovations combine with the stylish and aerodynamically clean Fiesta body design to efficiently slip through the wind with both fuel savings and reduced wind noise.

Fiesta is built for North American markets at Ford’s manufacturing facility in Cuautitlan, Mexico. The vehicle goes on sale in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles – with the sedan starting at $13,995, including destination charges – at Ford dealerships this summer.

Quotes

“The new Fiesta is yet another car in Ford’s lineup that delivers class-leading fuel economy. From Super Duty to Fusion Hybrid and the new Mustang V-6, Ford is committed to fuel economy leadership with every new vehicle it introduces in all segments.”

– Barb Samardzich, Vice President, Global Powertrain Engineering


“We worked hard to deliver the class-leading fuel economy Ford is becoming synonymous for. To be the only vehicle in the segment to deliver 40 mpg is something we feel consumers will appreciate.”

– Steve Pintar, Fiesta Chief Nameplate Engineer

We had the exciting opportunity to preview the 2011 Ford Fiesta here at Ford of Ocala.

• Ford will first offer SYNC® AppLink, a downloadable software program, on the 2011 Fiesta, allowing owners to access and control AndroidTM and BlackBerry® smartphone apps with voice commands and vehicle controls

• Pandora internet radio, Stitcher “smart radio” and Orangatame’s OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile applications

• Ford to create SYNC developer community with launch of new “Mobile Application Developer Network” (www.syncmyride.com/developer), giving developers a pathway to partner with Ford on SYNC-enabled applications

• Ford’s platform approach with SYNC is poised to harness smartphone app development and mobile web access; apps expected to be a $4 billion industry by 2012; analysts predict the mobile device to become the No. 1 source for Internet access by 2015


SYNC AppLink
SAN FRANCISCO – Customers have spoken -- asking for safe, convenient access to their smartphone apps while in the vehicle – and Ford is responding by announcing the new SYNC AppLink software that will allow hands-free voice control of popular smartphone apps.

SYNC AppLink, a downloadable software upgrade, will be released for 2011 Ford Fiesta owners with the award-winning SYNC communications and infotainment system later this year, allowing drivers hands-free control of apps on their Android or BlackBerry smartphones via voice commands and vehicle controls. Ford will introduce AppLink on most SYNC-equipped vehicles next year, as well as provide interoperability with other smartphones.

“The growth in smartphone mobile apps has been explosive, and Ford has worked hard to respond at the speed of the consumer electronics market,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Organization. “SYNC is the only connectivity system available that can extend that functionality into the car. AppLink will allow drivers to control some of the most popular apps through SYNC’s voice commands and steering wheel buttons, helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

The Android MarketTM and BlackBerry App World™ are among the leading growth markets for mobile apps. The new SYNC AppLink will seamlessly integrate apps using the vehicle’s voice and user interface controls, including buttons on the steering wheel, increasing eyes-on-the-road and hands-on-the-wheel time.

The first SYNC-enabled apps available later this year include Pandora internet radio, Stitcher “smart radio” and Orangatame’s OpenBeak app for Twitter, with additional apps on the way. Updated versions of each app, incorporating the SYNC application programming interface (API), will be available through Android Market and BlackBerry App World for customers to download.

Built-in, Beamed-in and Brought-in: The SYNC App Ecosystem
From its introduction, Ford has been building an ecosystem of available SYNC apps, continuously improving the consumer experience.

• Built-in apps, including Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist™, are downloaded and installed directly on the in-car SYNC operating system
• SYNC apps like Traffic, Directions & Information rely on beamed-in, or “cloud-based,” information. Drivers access the Ford Service Delivery Network, a network of data centers providing turn-by-turn directions, business searches, and on-demand news, sports and weather information, through a simple voice-connection using their cell phone.
• SYNC AppLink represents the third category of the ecosystem, brought-in apps, leveraging apps installed on a user’s smartphone, such as Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak

Studies show mobile app development – a niche market just three years ago – is expected to blossom into a $4 billion industry by 2012. Sites serving specific mobile operating systems, such as Android and BlackBerry OS, have experienced massive growth, with analysts predicting the mobile device will become the No. 1 source for Internet access by 2015, surpassing the home computer.

Ford and SYNC will answer the consumer demand by offering the only platform available for drivers to safely control their mobile devices and applications in the car. Leveraging SYNC’s safer voice commands and steering wheel controls, drivers are able to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. “Brought-in” apps residing on a consumer’s smartphone also eliminate the need for yet another piece of hardware to be installed in the car which only serves to add cost and complexity.

Customers will be able to download SYNC-enabled mobile apps through the same app store interfaces currently used. As SYNC-enabled versions of existing apps are released into the app stores, users will be prompted to download the latest version upon connection. Also, as developers grasp the notion that the vehicle interior has opened to them, a new dimension of apps designed from the outset to maximize the unique in-car environment will follow.

Opening the door to developers
To facilitate future SYNC-enabled app development, Ford has also activated a new developer network on its SYNCmyride Web site (www.syncmyride.com/developer). Interested developers can find a link to submit innovative ideas, and sign up for the latest information and news about the SYNC application programming interface (API) and software development kit (SDK). The package will allow developers to modify existing applications and create all-new apps that can successfully interface with SYNC.

Working with trusted partners, Ford is completing beta-testing on the SDK. Once beta-testing is complete, a broader release of the development tools is planned for later this year. Initial reports have been positive, with one of Ford’s development partners creating a SYNC-enabled version of its app just three days after receiving the development tools.

“We’re very pleased by the rapid development time and positive feedback we’ve seen from our first partners,” said VanDagens. “We want to encourage all developers to visit our site and submit ideas, helping us tap into the global pool of innovation and creativity.”