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!