Ford Fiesta is one of the most popular cars in the world, mostly because it is very well sold in Europe. The small hatchback was launched 40 years ago, in 1976.

In the 40 years from 1976-2016, Ford sold 4,339,149 Fiestas in the UK alone, with European Fiesta sales set to surpass 18 million before the end of this year. Over these four decades, more than one in every 20 cars sold in the UK was a Ford Fiesta.

These record numbers are doubled by the fact that in 2014, the Ford Fiesta became the UK’s best-selling car of all time, overtaking the Ford Escort. It is not only the best-selling car in the UK this year; it has been the UK’s most popular car every month for the last seven years.  

To celebrate this success, and the range of vehicles produced over the years, 40 of the nation’s favourite Fiestas travelled in convoy from the Ford Engine Plant in Dagenham to Brighton Race Course for the Kelsey Media organised, 2016 Ford Summer Festival – A celebration of all Ford models.


The Ford Fiesta MkI began production in the all-new Valencia factory in 1976 and sales in the UK commenced in 1977.