Ford Cutting Fiesta Production In Europe After Sales Drop In UK

Ford has reduced production of its Fiesta supermini at its factory in Cologne, Germany, partly because of a drop in UK sales (Europe’s second largest market). The Fiesta now holds the title of Britain’s best-selling car.

Production will be cut back from five days per week to four, a move that is said to affect 2,200 workers, reports Autonews Europe. This reduced output could last until the end of the year, with a review in May, said a Ford spokesman.

“Southern Europe and the United Kingdom are seeing weaker demand [for the Fiesta], leading to the need to adjust protection,” he stated.

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The factory in Cologne produces 1,150 Fiestas per day, with a third of that output aimed at the UK, where overall new car sales fell 7.3% in January due to factors such as the ongoing economic uncertainty following Brexit.

Year-to-date numbers show that UK customers purchased 6,087 Fiestas according to SMMT, as opposed to 5,287 Focus models and 4,608 Nissan Qashqai crossovers. Outside the top three we have the Vauxhall Corsa (4,373), VW Golf (4,027), Mercedes A-Class (3,214), Kia Sportage (2,457), BMW 3-Series (2,422), VW Polo (2,336) and Vauxhall Grandland X (2,261).

The 2020 Ford Fiesta retails from £16,115 ($20,990) in the UK, which will land you the entry-level Trend version. Move up in the range and you’ll find Titanium, Titanium X, Active Edition, Active X Edition, ST-Line Edition, ST-Line X Edition, ST-2, ST-3 and Vignale Edition models.

The most expensive version is actually the ST-3, which costs north of £23,995 ($31,250), followed by the Vignale at £22,245 ($28,971).