Ford Festiva , a subcompact car produced by Kia Motors from 1986 to 1997, was based on the Kia Pride model, both based on the Mazda DA platform and intended for sales in North America, Asia and Australasia.
| Ford Festiva | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Total information | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company , Kia Motors , Mazda |
| Years of production | 1986 - 2002 |
| Assembly | South Korea Gwangmyeong , China Jiangsu egypt Cairo , Iran Tehran , Iraq El Iskandaria , Japan Hiroshima , Venezuela Valencia |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Other designations | Ford aspire Mazda Festiva Mazda aspire Kia pride Mazda 121 |
| Design | |
| Body type | 3-dv. hatchback (5-seater.) |
| Platform | Mazda 121 |
| Layout | front-wheel, front-wheel |
| Wheel formula | 4 × 2 |
| Engine | |
| l4 | |
| Transmission | |
| 5- speed manual transmission | |
| On the market | |
| Segment | B-segment |
From 1988 to 1993, the car was sold in North America, replacing the outdated Ford Fiesta , from 1988 to 1991 in Europe and the whole world under the name Mazda 121 , while it was not replaced with the more modern Mazda Autozam Revue . In some countries, this car was sold as Kia Pride . And in Iran and Syria, Ford Festiva replaced the outdated Nasim and the newer Saipa 141 .
First generation
In 1986, the subcompact Festiva was introduced in Japan, and in North America and Europe (like the Mazda 121) in 1988. The festiva was selling well and the car fits perfectly into Ford’s new marketing policy of selling more high-end cars. Initially, the tough competition was Yugo, which was a bit big and cost $ 3990, but Yugo quickly lost confidence due to its lower quality. Initial sales were good, but by 1990, Festiva sales began to fall. Ford Festiva, sold in Japan and Mazda 121, exported to Europe, were built by Mazda in Japan. North American models were manufactured under license from Kia Motors in Korea. After the original 121 model ceased to be sold in Europe, Kia began selling Festiva under the Kia Pride brand. Sales ended in 1993.
Second generation
The second generation Ford Festiva was created jointly by Kia Motors and Ford USA. Sales began in 1994. The car technically almost did not differ from the early model, but changed in size and got a more rounded body in accordance with the fashion trends of the 90s in the style of "biodesign". In 1997, the car received a new front bumper with an oval grille to match the new “Ford” style in which the debuted Ford Contour and updated Ford Taurus were performed. Aspire has disappeared from the Ford lineup in the United States since 1997. The second generation Festiva continued to be sold in Australia until 2000, and then replaced with the Ford Ka model. Kia Motors ended its relationship with the Ford Motor Company and began an independent release of the Kia Rio model, which can be considered the successor to the Festiva.
More
While in some markets the car was positioned as the second generation of Ford Festiva, North American car dealers were selling it as a new car called the Ford Aspire .