Ford Still Believes in Fiesta Even Though U.S. Sales Drop 25%, Focus up 31%

American consumers may be shunning away from the Fiesta and turning to the Focus this year, but Ford does not intend to leave the sub compact segment.

In the first seven months of the year, Ford sold 35,385 Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks in the States, down 25.4 percent over the same period last year when it delivered 47,245 units, making it the least popular passenger car in its range (excluding the now discontinued Crown Victoria and the Police Interceptor).

On the other hand, the compact Focus model saw its sales grow 31 percent to 147,877 units through July.

However, according to Ford’s U.S. sales analyst Erich Merkle, there’s enough room for both models with the Fiesta to remain an important part of the automaker’s lineup.

“The small-car segment, given its size, the largest in the industry, is large enough for two vehicles,” said Merkle, according to a report from Bloomberg News.

Merkle added that volatile gasoline prices will help sales of both the Fiesta and Focus in the future.

Globally, the Fiesta is Ford’s second best-selling model after the Focus.

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