The Ford Fiesta first went on sale in Europe in 1976.
Ford developed the Fiesta during the 1970s as a small, economical front-wheel-drive car for increasingly crowded European cities. Production began in Spain, and the model was also built in other European locations as demand grew. Its compact dimensions, practical hatchback body, and low running costs made it an important addition to Ford of Europe’s lineup.
The Fiesta was one of Ford’s earliest major front-wheel-drive small cars. It was sold with several small petrol engines and was offered in multiple body and trim configurations over successive generations.
The 1976 launch date refers to the original European model. Later Fiesta generations reached additional markets, including North America, but those introductions occurred years after the original European debut.