Updated: Ford Fiesta to be discontinued next year

Ford bosses have confirmed that the Ford Fiesta will be discontinued from June next year.

Executives have been holding talks with dealers, suppliers and staff ahead of the announcement.

Ford has sold 4.8million Fiestas in 46 years and it had 12 consecutive years as the biggest seller from 2009 to 2020.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed it was the sixth bestselling car in September.

A spokesman for Ford said that it was "accelerating our efforts to go all in on electrification", with all of its passenger vehicles being fully electric by 2030 – and all vehicles across the Ford portfolio by 2035.

He continued: "As we get ready to transition to an electric future, we will discontinue production of S-MAX and Galaxy in Valencia, Spain in April 2023 and discontinue Fiesta production in Cologne, Germany by end of June 2023.

"We will introduce three new exciting electric passenger vehicles and four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024.

"We plan to sell more than 600,000 electric vehicles in the region by 2026, and the electric passenger vehicle production at the Cologne Electrification Centre will reach 1.2 million vehicles over a six-year timeframe."

While Fiesta is currently produced in Germany, the first model rolled off the production line in Dagenham, Essex, in 1977.

James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars, said: “News that production will end for the enduringly-popular Ford Fiesta is a watershed moment in car manufacturing. 

“The Fiesta has been one of the UK’s favourite vehicles since its introduction in 1977, and has consistently been among the most popular and searched-for cars on the AA Cars site.

“The transition to electric vehicles, and changing consumer preferences, means that manufacturers are making tough decisions about the cars they produce. 

“Many British drivers, however, will be disappointed to hear that Ford is calling time on this iconic model.

“Thankfully for Fiesta devotees, the car will have a strong presence on the secondhand market for many years to come. And when the very last Fiestas roll off the production line they are likely to be much sought-after.” 

The car was at the forefront of the US carmaker's efforts to corner the British car market because of its more affordable price point.

It was created originally as a more fuel-efficient, small car in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis.