Ford sold a pickup known as the Courier, which was a Mazda with a few styling changes made by Ford...
And I apologize for the incorrect info on the '90 Ranger
(my foot stinks, but I'm getting used to the taste)
Is the Fiesta an "all-American" ...what about the Festiva?
I'm getting a lesson on foreign affairs... what in the world have you guys been reading?
The Ford Fiesta is a POS German engineered box on wheels.
However...
The Ford Festiva was brought to the US based upon an original concept (mid 80's) by Ford Motor Company to provide an economical passenger vehicle for the first time car buyer, the primary target market being North America (US and Canada) Later, the nameplate would be applied to secondary overseas markets consisting of Japan, Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Phillipines, and Venezuela (South America).
Mechanical and primary styling aspects of the Festiva were based on an existing (then pending) design from Mazda (to be known as Mark 1 121) of Japan. Several styling cues from Ford (Dearborn, MI USA) were applied to the Festiva such as the aero headlamps and floating Ford emblem to ensure identification within the Ford product line in the late Eighties.
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 bodystyle (still kept the name Festiva though).
Huh?
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).