Next Ford Fiesta to be built in Thailand

[LeadFoot81]

Ford Australia's small car range stands to benefit from the shift in production of the Fiesta from Germany to Thailand in 2009.

The next model Fiesta will be built in Thailand at a production facility into which Ford Motor Co and Mazda Motor Co will jointly invest more than $A560 million.

Mazda Australia is expected to have its Mazda 2 built at the same site from 2009 (a move made possible because both the 2 and Fiesta were developed together)

According to Mazda the production facility will "incorporate Mazda's production methods into each stage of the production process"

Tom Gorman said he had absoloutely no concern with the quality of the Thai built Fiestas, as there have been no issues with Thai built vehicles to date. "(The next Fiesta) is still going to be European designed and developed. And that's very consistent with out brand." he said.

What does everyone think? Is this a good or bad thing? Ford will be able to play alot more with RRP And a euro designed car, built for less (but with Mazda quality) could be a very beautiful thing!

It looks like Ford will do the opposite to Holden;
Start off with a great euro car (expensive) slowly build a reputation, and then figure out how to get it here more cheaply;
as opposed to starting off with a horribly cheap and tacky car (burning a whole lot of people and their brand image) and then figure out how to make it less horrible and tacky?

If Ford get can get the Mondeo built in Oceania the line up will be extremely formidable!

[photn]

Sacralidge!

[kiwijohn42]

Holden had a decent small car, the euro made Barina/Corsa, which they dumped for something cheap & nasty. If they'd gone for the new Corsa, especially the VXR, things would be a lot different. But they'd rather shift more crap cars than a few less decent ones.

[Ives]

I don't care where a car is made... as long as the build and material quality is acceptable to my standards.

[jweb]

That is great news,low price and hopefully same or better quality,it is a great move,Especially when the Focus begins production in Australia,The Fiesta's current price auto 5 door anyway i would imagine getting dagerously close to the Focus,meaning model eat model.
Its a good move i think.

[zetec jim]

I'm sure workers in Germany would count the minutes to clock-off just as much as Thai workers would, so Business wise, its a good move i think, but to keep the euroford going it has to remain in Germany (just for nostalgia)...

[LeadFoot81]

I didnt think of that...Will Focii and Fiestas still count as 'Euro Fords' for the euro ford club? Theyll still be Euro designed (and built) well get the same car built in another factory.

[Piotr]

We had a discussion in the club about this before and the concensus was a EuroFord is one designed by Ford Europe for the european market.

[LeadFoot81]

Its all good then! :

[Ives]

Yeh, can u imagine... ThaiFordClub?

[Fez WQ]

The honda jazz is made Thailand and that is UKs most reliable car!!, and we all know how many Fiesta's are in the UK. Can only be a good thing for FORD. Ford need this to make real $$$$$$$$$ plus at the moment dealers make nothng out of Fiesta's .Thailand would turn this around!!

[LeadFoot81]

Alot of guys in the The Pub are arguing a Thai built Fiesta will be poorly built to save money.

The Fez has to be built in Oceania for Ford to start making real money off these cars (or at least sell more at the same low profit per unit)

[Ives]

Originally Posted by Aaron Hunter

The honda jazz is made Thailand

Also the current model Civics. (except the Type-R that's sold in Australia).

[morbo]

Dont forget the hybrid

I think the UK Honda Jazzes/Jazz's/Jazii are built in Japan.

It ill be interesting whether they can make a comparable quality product. I think its going to be rubbish for awhile before it gets better.

[Al...]

I think saying that build would be rubbish is a bit strong. They already build a lot there now and the quality is o.k. Look at the new toyota hilux and holden rodeo range, just name a few

[morbo]

Okay - perhaps a little bit strong. Sub par perhaps?
Ive noticed a difference in build quality in the jap n thai jazzes.

[Bossxr8]

Excellent news. Anyone that thinks quality will drop is very misinformed. The price saving will be very beneficial as its a price sensitive market for small cars, and even better for Ford is no more stock shortages.

[scooby]

I wouldn't worry too much about poorer quality. Companies with very high standards like Nikon manufacture goods in Thailand under very strict quality control.
Given that the average Thai factory worker earns less than $10 a day, either the Fez will get cheaper or ford's profits will soar. Australia also has a free trade agreement with Thailand, meaning cheaper imports for us.

[Bossxr8]

Looks like Toyota is going to follow suit with the Yaris.

[LeadFoot81]

Whered you find out about Toyota BXR8?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by The_Fantastic_Ford

Whered you find out about Toyota BXR8?

GoAuto website.