History
of the Ford Festiva
The Ford Festiva was brought to North America based upon a decision
(mid 80's) by Ford Motor Company to provide an imported economical passenger
vehicle for the first time car buyer, the primary target market being US and Canada. Later,
the nameplate would be applied to secondary overseas markets consisting of Japan, Taiwan,
Dominican Republic, Philippines, and Venezuela
(South America).
Mechanical and primary
styling aspects of the Festiva were based on an
existing design from Mazda (121) of Japan. Several styling cues from
Ford (Dearborn, MI
USA) were applied to the Festiva such as the grille and floating Ford emblem to
ensure identification within the Ford product line during 1988-1993 during the
model years offered in North America.
Actual production of the Festiva destined for the North American market was begun in
1987 by Kia Motors of Seoul, South Korea (the Festiva was final assembled in Sohari, South Korea). Kia
was already manufacturing the Kia Pride (began in
mid-86) for the South Korean market. Mid-86 also marked the beginning of Ford's
collaboration with Kia. At the same time, Mazda began
their own production of the Mazda 121 and Ford Festiva
for the Japanese (apparently no Mazda 121's were sold in Japan), Australian, New Zealand and European markets.
Production of the Mazda
121/Japanese spec Ford Festiva ran from 1987 to 1992
and among the lineup was the only true high-performance model of the Ford Festiva from the factory that was ever offered (Festiva GT-X). Australia received the Mazda 121
(Japanese built 2-door) during the late 1980's. In 1992 Ford began importing
the Kia-built 4 door hatchback, then later a 2-door
hatchback. In 1994, they were replaced by the Aspire/Avella type body style
(still kept the name Festiva though).
The Kia
Pride would eventually become Korea's
all time sales leader (small car segment). Kia
received praise during the run of the Festivas/Prides
for high quality standards, which were noticed on more than several reviews of
the car. After all, it was the Festiva that made the
world take notice of Kia and led the way subsequently
for Kia's decision to enter the North American market
as a stand alone competitor.
The official model years
for US models are 1988,1989,1990,1991,1992, and 1993.
The first Festivas to be sold in the US was in late 1987 in Southern
California (introduction). Sales of the Festiva
did fairly well in the beginning despite strong competition for this market
(Geo Metro, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Excel, and lets face it, Toyota Tercel and Honda Civic). The biggest problem the Festiva faced in my opinion was that by the late-80's,
consumers were well into comparison shopping on a serious level and what the Festiva offered was countered by other manufacturer's that
tempted with near equal pricing and better standard and optional features.
Sales came to an end for
the Festiva in the North American market in late 1993
with the closure of the model year. In keeping with Ford corporate thinking, a
redesign was in store for the new model year and it was decided to replace the Festiva altogether with the Ford Aspire. I also understand
another reason was technical, in that retrofitting the then-current Festiva with airbags would have proved troublesome.
The Kia
Pride enjoyed a very lengthy production run from the late Eighties to 2002 with
production (South Korea)
and sales in several foreign countries. Some of these include countries such as
UK (sold as Pride S and SX in 2-dr and 4dr hatch form), Italy, France, Egypt,
Israel, Germany, Austria as well as in the Philippines, and of course in South
Korea.
A similar Festiva-based vehicle is offered as a four-door sedan (one
of six different versions ) in Venezuela/Columbia and
is Ford badged (yes Ford Festiva).
Production for this Festiva began I believe in 1993.
First as a four-door hatchback, then later a four door sedan (Avila) which appeared in
1995. It is the only Ford badged derivative of
the original Mazda 121/Kia Pride/Ford Festiva still
in current production.
Unique, the Ford Festiva/Avila from Venezuela is fully a home-built
product, including the drivetrain (this car is not assembled
by Kia. Recent information tells me it is
manufactured by FOV (Ford of Venezuela). In Venezuela, the Ford Festiva is an excellent selling car there.
4-door versions of Festiva are commonly used by the travel touring business
and rental car companies.
It is worth noting that the
Ford Festiva sold in Australia and New Zealand to this day is actually
based on the Kia Avella (same platform as the
former Ford Aspire). In Japan,
the current Ford Festiva (wagon) is
manufactured by Mazda (based on pre-99 121 "bubble car", again
related to Kia Avella).
Special thanks to Mike
Mercado for supplying the Mazda 121 and Henry Canaveral for the Venezuela Ford Festiva pictures
Author: Rich Norman
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*Except-Article and photos courtesy of Rich Norman