It was only axed two years ago but there’s growing chatter that one of Britain’s most iconic cars might be coming back: the Ford Fiesta.
Since launching in 1976, nearly five million Fiestas were sold in the UK before production ended in July 2023. So it’s no surprise there’s speculation about a reboot. Despite slowly disappearing from showrooms, there are still around 1.5 million on the road today, making it the most common car in Britain.
From learner drivers to lifelong fans, the Fiesta was the go-to car for just about everyone. And now, it could be reborn, though probably not as the petrol-powered hatchback we all remember.
If the Fiesta Returns, It’ll Be Electric
Ford hasn’t officially confirmed anything, but if the Fiesta name comes back, it won’t be on a petrol or diesel model. Like everything in the car world right now, it’s all about EVs.
And Ford’s current partnership with Volkswagen could make that return happen sooner rather than later.
The Ford VW Partnership Could Be the Key
Ford and VW are already working together. VW gets to use Ford’s van platforms, like the Transit, and in return, Ford gets access to VW’s electric vehicle tech. That’s how the electric Ford Explorer and the new Capri came to life. Both are based on VW’s electric platforms, sharing DNA with the ID.4 and ID.5.
Volkswagen’s former head of EVs, Martin Sander, even told Auto Express that the partnership has been very successful and didn’t rule out more collabs in the future.
So what’s next? Possibly a smaller EV, and that’s where the Fiesta name could come in.
VW’s Upcoming EVs Could Inspire a New Fiesta
Volkswagen is planning to launch a compact electric car called the ID.2 in 2026, followed by the even smaller ID.1 in 2027. The ID.2 is just 18mm longer than the last-gen Fiesta and also has a five-door layout, making it a pretty ideal starting point for an all-new electric Fiesta if Ford taps into the shared platform again.
While Ford hasn’t hinted at building anything smaller than its new Puma Gen E, Auto Express has speculated that the Fiesta name could be revived using VW’s compact EV tech.
The only catch is whether VW would want to let Ford release a rival that could steal sales from its own ID models or from spin-offs like the Cupra Raval or Skoda Epiq, which are also based on the same platform.
Ford’s Official Response? Pretty Vague
When asked directly, Ford gave a classic no comment reply: “We don’t comment on any future product programs."
So we’re left to connect the dots ourselves.
The UK’s New EV Grant Might Speed Things Up
Another reason a smaller electric Fiesta might make sense is the UK Government’s new Electric Car Grant. It offers up to £3,750 off EVs under £37,000, but Ford doesn’t have many models that qualify. Only the Puma Gen E comes in under that price. The Explorer, Capri, and Mustang Mach E are all too expensive.
With Chinese brands expected to miss out due to manufacturing emissions, there’s a gap in the market for affordable small European EVs. Ford could jump in with something like an electric Fiesta.
The full list of eligible EVs will be announced before 11 August, so it’ll be interesting to see how Ford responds.
The Fiesta’s Legacy Is Still Going Strong
The final Fiesta rolled off the production line in Cologne, Germany, on 7 July 2023. Over its 47-year run, it topped the UK’s sales charts 16 times and is still the most popular car on British roads.
Ford kept the last two Fiestas for its heritage collection, one in Germany and one in the UK, signed by the workers who built it.
So while it may have left showrooms, the Fiesta hasn’t left the streets, and if all the signs are right, it might be about to make an electric return.
