Ford gives Fiesta the ST treatment

FORD is taking its ST performance brand another step further with the Fiesta ST Concept, which has been unveiled just as the Focus ST goes into production.
The giant carmaker has promised a new era for driving enthusiasts globally by expanding the ST (Sport Technology) range, a bid made all the more easy by a new generation of small car platforms it is developing worldwide.
If the Fiesta ST goes into full production, it will give Ford a foothold in two major market segments.
“We’re leveraging our global product platforms to create great new performance vehicles like the Focus ST,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice-president product development. “By taking advantage of platform efficiencies and focusing our performance engineering resources globally, we can bring performance vehicles to more customers in more markets, plus we’re better positioned for Ford products to compete successfully in global motorsport.”
The production-ready Focus ST was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is the first Ford performance car to be sold into more than 40 markets around the world. Its launch kicks off a new era for enthusiasts while the Fiesta ST Concept highlights Ford’s promise of more offerings to come.
“Our strategy is powered by the One Ford global product plan and extends the reach of exciting Ford performance vehicles to a broader range of customers around the world than ever before,” Kuzak said. “It is also instrumental in shaping Ford’s strategic approach to and support for international motorsport activity involving our global small cars, the Focus and the Fiesta.”
Jost Capito, Ford’s director of global performance vehicles and motorsport development said: ““This is an exciting time for us as we introduce the first of our globally developed performance vehicles,” said Capito. “It’s exciting to create a new generation of performance models which are truly world class, and we’ve brought together Ford performance expertise from around the world to do it.”
The ST models are the company’s most accessible performance cars, offering exciting performance and refinement that makes them exciting to drive but still suitable for everyday use.