Ford is in the spotlight at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show with the preview of the new Ford Fiesta. With the refresh of its class-leading small car, Ford demonstrates its commitment to capture even more of the rapidly growing small car segment as the company continues with its aggressive growth plan for the Philippines.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

BANGKOK, THAILAND—The presence of Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company’s rock star President and CEO at the Bangkok International Motor Show served as the perfect indicator that big news awaited the guests gathered at the Ford pavilion. After unveiling the much-awaited segment-busting urban SUV, the EcoSport a day earlier, what larger headline could possibly trump that? After taking the stage, Mr. Mulally quickly mentioned how the ASEAN market is Ford Motor Company’s most important and fastest growing market—growing at a staggering rate of 27 percent year-on-year (to the tune of 87,623 units). He also stressed that a good chunk of buyers in this market would opt for a small car by the year 2020. Then, he dropped a bomb shell: EcoBoost is finally arriving in the ASEAN underneath the refreshed Ford Fiesta.

Ford of Europe revealed the refreshed and updated Fiesta at the company's "Go Further" product event which was hosted by Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. The new Fiesta shows off a new design direction as well as even more technology in the already high-tech B-segment car.

Among the key highlights of the 2013 Fiesta include the debut of the voice-activated in-car connectivity system Ford SYNC, Active City Stop, and the European debut of MyKey. The Fiesta will also be made available with the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine which is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy.

Ford Philippines joins the crusade for breast cancer awareness as it recently partnered with Avon for its 2012 Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) campaign.

Ford will showcase an exclusive pink-stickered all-new Ford Fiesta Sport Plus hatchback which will be used as the official vehicle for the KGBC campaign themed “Let’s Walk the Talk.”

KGBC’s 2012 series takes Avon’s call to action a step further by inviting Filipinos to come face to face with breast cancer and deepen their involvement in the cause. Actress Sarah Lahbati, Avon KGBC ambassador will use the pink Ford Fiesta in events tied to the campaign and during its culminating activity on October 21.

“We are proud to partner with Avon in this worthy advocacy. The Ford Fiesta is the perfect car to represent our commitment to raising the awareness for breast cancer as it proves to be a popular choice of vehicle among our lady drivers,” said Anika Salceda-Wycoco, AVP for communications, Ford Philippines.

Catch the pink Ford Fiesta at Avon’s various events which will culminate in the annual Walk and Run Event on October 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds.

To know more, log on to www.facebook.com/fordfiestaphilippines

Ford Philippines today announced a 23 percent year-over-year increase in July retail sales to 745 units, driven by the all-new Ford Ranger and the continued popularity of the all-new Ford Fiesta.

The class-defining all-new Ranger proved incredibly popular in its first month of sales in the Philippines with sales of 246 units, representing the best-ever sales of the compact pick-up since its introduction in the Philippines in 1999.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Whether it’s the latest gadget or the trendiest social networking website, whatever it may be, it begins to lose its charm a year on. That iPad of yours, still kept in that shatter-proof, fingerprint-proof case doesn’t see the amount of time playing Angry Birds. You may have clicked the ‘like’ button religiously before, but now; you log into Facebook just to ‘friend’ people then log out. Ultimately, it’s the everyday version of entropy: your gadget still works, but it’s beginning to lose its luster.

Typically, it’s the same story with cars, where there is in fact, an unwritten rule: the flasher the car, the quicker it loses its star power. Launched in the Philippines to much fanfare more than a year ago, the Ford Fiesta is flashy as flashy gets. On the highest model, it’s got Bluetooth voice command, the PowerShift dual-clutch six-speed automatic, electronic stability program and even Hill Launch Assist. It’s been flying off the showroom floor with over 3,350 units sold (the best-selling sub-compact hatch in 2011 with more than 1,675 sold) and it’s been garnering accolades left and right (2010-2011 Car of the Year – Philippines Best Sub-Compact and Best Sub-Compact in the 7th Annual C! Awards among others). But as much as the public and press love it, how does it drive a year later?

Ford Philippines launches its summer retail promotion, The Works, which offers customers a worry-free purchase with Ford’s all-in low down payment packages with Ford’s Scheduled Service Plan (SSP). Ford’s summer promotion provides customers with an easy purchase and ownership experience featuring popular vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus and Ford Escape.

For as low as PhP99,000 all-in low down payment, customers can drive home their very own all-new Ford Fiesta, the fun to drive Ford Focus or the all-action Ford Escape SUV.

Photos courtesy of Ford Press

The folks over at Ford Club Philippines (FCP) have more reasons to celebrate aside from their tenth anniversary which was held at the Bonifacio Global City last Saturday. Ford Group Philippines made it a point to unveil 3 new variants of its best-selling Fiesta sub-compact. These three variants are: the 1.4 Trend A/T Hatchback, 1.6 Trend with Voice Command + Bluetooth and the 1.6 Sport Plus.

You can read more about it after the break.

Just like the Ford Focus before it, everyone’s in love with the hatchback version of the Fiesta. And you can’t blame them; it’s absolutely stunning from just about any angle and with the right paintjob (the molten orange hue comes to mind), you’ve got one of the best head-turners money can buy. But while everyone’s all oohs and ahhs over the Fiesta hatchback, tucked neatly alongside it is the equally capable Ford Fiesta sedan.