Some months after the seventh-generation Ford Fiesta’s reveal in Europe, in February, Ford pulled the wraps off an all-new, performance-oriented Ford Fiesta ST. The B-segment hot hatch packs a 197-horsepower punch courtesy of a new turbocharged, 1.5-liter EcoBoost I3, a specially-tuned suspension, and an aggressive, sporty appearance.
But with no plans to bring the new, seventh-generation Ford Fiesta model range to North America, the question remained: Would Ford make an exception for the new Fiesta ST, importing just that sporty model in the US and Canada while leaving the rest behind?
Sadly, the answer appears to be “no.” According to CarBuzz, which recently spoke to Ford Performance of Europe Director Leo Roeks, the new Ford Fiesta ST will steer clear of the North American market; it’s “simply a matter of lack of interest in the B-segment in America,” Roeks says.
“It doesn’t make sense, nor is it possible financially speaking, to import a single trim level, and a niche one at that,” Leo Roeks told CarBuzz.
As a point of reference, just 48,807 examples of the Ford Fiesta were sold in the US in 2016, versus 168,789 Ford Focus units. Considering the slow sales performance of the former, it’s hardly surprising that Ford would decide to pull the B-segment car from the North American lineup, but we can’t say we’re ecstatic not to have a replacement for the beloved Fiesta ST.
Comment
While the NEW Fiesta won’t be coming to North America, the 2018 dealer order guides DO say that the 2018 Fiesta will be the same as the 2017 model and WILL be sold.