Member of the Executive Board for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars
As one era ends next summer, another one is just starting. It’s time to say goodbye to the little car that has touched us all. In summer 2023 we are ending production of Fiesta to create room for an accelerated ramp up of the Electrification Centre at our plant in Cologne. Just a few more weeks and I will share details about the new generation of fully electric vehicles we've got coming, stay tuned. But for now let’s pay tribute to Fiesta and have a look at our #FarewellFiesta video below.
Wow, my journey started with moms 77 Fiesta on the backseat, followed by myself driving the successor in the 80s. Beginning of the 2000s I was in Dagenham visiting my colleagues who made a great job producing the BE91 seat systems. Back to Germany I was launching the B257/7 and B226 till 2003. There my journey paused, never forget this little car that was a long time part of my life. Good Night 👍
As always not an easy moment to say goodbye, however more than excited about what to come and to transform our business to serve our customers best.
Great video this Martin Sander and thank you for sharing. Personally I can't help thinking that Ford are making a FUBAR here, in terms of the decision to stop production of the Fiesta. At the moment (Ford are not alone) many manufacturers seem to be losing touch with the needs and desires of consumers, betting too much on electric models and retailing futures. There is no doubt that there is "A Market" for electric propulsion, but I doubt it will ever transform into "The Market." Rather a market operating alongside other markets, as the entire market continues to evolve and fragment into individual markets. Then there is the used car retailing proposition, a market where consumers do not share the desire to rush to electric, and for many reasons; too many to be explored here. And this is before we take into account the economic trade winds battering consumer markets as a whole. In used car investment and strategy circles, the dash for diesel stock is underway, as this stock is not just undervalued at the moment, we predict that consumers will soon forget expensive green credentials, when their standard of living (holidays etc.) comes under threat from rising costs. Thanks again for posting, this will be an interesting watch!
What a goodbye. Great storytelling 👏🏻👏🏻
Si immaginava purtroppo, dopo che fatto io flop con le 1.5 gasolio, e lo dico da possessore di 3 fiesta, ultima ritirata lunedì, una titanium gpl, e di titanium ho trovato meno cose della 1.5 gasolio che lasciato a Voi, non ci sono più, specchi che si chiudono, i vetri che non salgono e scendono in automatico, conta km a nr. , è quello che mi da più fastidio esce senza il modem per far funzionare il connect, carterino sotto il vano porta oggetti, ecc.
I'll be honest, the execution didn't work brilliantly for me (I have an aversion soundtracks telling me when to be emotional) but.... but... The idea of saying goodbye to a little car that meant a great deal to a lot of people is beautiful. It shows some care and commitment, some humanity. It recognises the feelings we have for what can be dismissed as mere machines. And the fact that Ford spent time, money and love on this, makes me like them that little more. So yeah... this is a lovely idea. A chance to say thank you and goodbye that isn't afforded to a lot of cars Thank you
Great video! It's a bitter sweet piece of news......having worked on 3 generations of the Fiesta in different commodities and participated to the launches spending time with the launch teams, engineering and purchasing in the different locations, it's been such a satisfying ride to see the product coming on to the market and its success and a learning curve....I can say I have met/made many friends too! B299 team's the best! But part of the journey is the end and allows for the beginning of a new journey: welcome electrification! The most important is that Cologne remains at the Center of it! #FarewellFiesta
We as a country are not ready to be forced into electric vehicles that have the range of a milk float. If you live in a terraced street where people park both sides of the road, how are you expected to charge it. The new Corsa has a range of less that 200 miles and has a list price of some 30k. Not ready, don't want to be forced into one. Will be buying two new petrol vehicles in 2029 and putting one in storage, this will get me to retirement without have to suffer range phobia. Having to plan a simple trip to Cornwall that wont include a recharge on the way there and again on the way back, utter rubbish. Stick um where the sun don't shine.
Marketeer, Differentiator, Team Player, Sparring Partner, Connoisseur
1yVery nice one Martin 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻