Here’s a first look at the ’18 Ford Fiesta.

Due on sale in the first half of 2017, the next Fiesta will be bumped up in price, quality, refinement and features to reflect more expensive tastes among supermini customers, and to allow room for a cheaper stablemate—the forthcoming Ka+—which will sit just below it in the range.

The Fiesta stays on Ford’s Global B platform for what will be its seventh generation, so while earlier images have shown a mule sporting a wider track, engineers are likely to have only millimeters to play with when it comes to extending dimensions. The styling will incorporate the latest evolution of the family grille, a slightly squarer nose and slim headlamps.

Staying on the same chassis means that Ford can save considerable sums of money on research and development, and at least some of that cash will be pumped into improving two areas where the Fiesta now lags behind the competition—interior quality and big-car features.

Inside, soft-touch materials will replace the current rubberized finish on the facia, and there will be a major overhaul of the car’s infotainment system. Expect the existing tiny display to be replaced by a larger touchscreen, featuring the company’s latest SYNC 3 software for music, smartphone integration and satellite navigation. New safety equipment is likely to include lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring, along with traffic sign recognition.

Nudging the Fiesta upmarket marks a key shift in Ford’s small-car lineup, as the more basic editions of the Fiesta’s Studio and Style trims are likely to be dropped, moving the entry point for the range to around $18,000.

Production of the ’18 Fiesta will be consolidated; North American-bound Fiestas will be sourced at Ford’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand. The plant, opened in 2012, currently builds Fiestas and Focuses for the Southeast Asian markets. From the next generation, Fiesta production currently taking place in Mexico and India will be moved to Rayong.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the ’18 Ford Fiesta.

Due on sale in the first half of 2017, the next Fiesta will be bumped up in price, quality, refinement and features to reflect more expensive tastes among supermini customers, and to allow room for a cheaper stablemate—the forthcoming Ka+—which will sit just below it in the range.

The Fiesta stays on Ford’s Global B platform for what will be its seventh generation, so while earlier images have shown a mule sporting a wider track, engineers are likely to have only millimeters to play with when it comes to extending dimensions. The styling will incorporate the latest evolution of the family grille, a slightly squarer nose and slim headlamps.

Staying on the same chassis means that Ford can save considerable sums of money on research and development, and at least some of that cash will be pumped into improving two areas where the Fiesta now lags behind the competition—interior quality and big-car features.

Inside, soft-touch materials will replace the current rubberized finish on the facia, and there will be a major overhaul of the car’s infotainment system. Expect the existing tiny display to be replaced by a larger touchscreen, featuring the company’s latest SYNC 3 software for music, smartphone integration and satellite navigation. New safety equipment is likely to include lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring, along with traffic sign recognition.

Nudging the Fiesta upmarket marks a key shift in Ford’s small-car lineup, as the more basic editions of the Fiesta’s Studio and Style trims are likely to be dropped, moving the entry point for the range to around $18,000.

Production of the ’18 Fiesta will be consolidated; North American-bound Fiestas will be sourced at Ford’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand. The plant, opened in 2012, currently builds Fiestas and Focuses for the Southeast Asian markets. From the next generation, Fiesta production currently taking place in Mexico and India will be moved to Rayong.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the ’18 Ford Fiesta.

Due on sale in the first half of 2017, the next Fiesta will be bumped up in price, quality, refinement and features to reflect more expensive tastes among supermini customers, and to allow room for a cheaper stablemate—the forthcoming Ka+—which will sit just below it in the range.

The Fiesta stays on Ford’s Global B platform for what will be its seventh generation, so while earlier images have shown a mule sporting a wider track, engineers are likely to have only millimeters to play with when it comes to extending dimensions. The styling will incorporate the latest evolution of the family grille, a slightly squarer nose and slim headlamps.

Staying on the same chassis means that Ford can save considerable sums of money on research and development, and at least some of that cash will be pumped into improving two areas where the Fiesta now lags behind the competition—interior quality and big-car features.

Inside, soft-touch materials will replace the current rubberized finish on the facia, and there will be a major overhaul of the car’s infotainment system. Expect the existing tiny display to be replaced by a larger touchscreen, featuring the company’s latest SYNC 3 software for music, smartphone integration and satellite navigation. New safety equipment is likely to include lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring, along with traffic sign recognition.

Nudging the Fiesta upmarket marks a key shift in Ford’s small-car lineup, as the more basic editions of the Fiesta’s Studio and Style trims are likely to be dropped, moving the entry point for the range to around $18,000.

Production of the ’18 Fiesta will be consolidated; North American-bound Fiestas will be sourced at Ford’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand. The plant, opened in 2012, currently builds Fiestas and Focuses for the Southeast Asian markets. From the next generation, Fiesta production currently taking place in Mexico and India will be moved to Rayong.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the ’18 Ford Fiesta.

Due on sale in the first half of 2017, the next Fiesta will be bumped up in price, quality, refinement and features to reflect more expensive tastes among supermini customers, and to allow room for a cheaper stablemate—the forthcoming Ka+—which will sit just below it in the range.

The Fiesta stays on Ford’s Global B platform for what will be its seventh generation, so while earlier images have shown a mule sporting a wider track, engineers are likely to have only millimeters to play with when it comes to extending dimensions. The styling will incorporate the latest evolution of the family grille, a slightly squarer nose and slim headlamps.

Staying on the same chassis means that Ford can save considerable sums of money on research and development, and at least some of that cash will be pumped into improving two areas where the Fiesta now lags behind the competition—interior quality and big-car features.

Inside, soft-touch materials will replace the current rubberized finish on the facia, and there will be a major overhaul of the car’s infotainment system. Expect the existing tiny display to be replaced by a larger touchscreen, featuring the company’s latest SYNC 3 software for music, smartphone integration and satellite navigation. New safety equipment is likely to include lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring, along with traffic sign recognition.

Nudging the Fiesta upmarket marks a key shift in Ford’s small-car lineup, as the more basic editions of the Fiesta’s Studio and Style trims are likely to be dropped, moving the entry point for the range to around $18,000.

Production of the ’18 Fiesta will be consolidated; North American-bound Fiestas will be sourced at Ford’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand. The plant, opened in 2012, currently builds Fiestas and Focuses for the Southeast Asian markets. From the next generation, Fiesta production currently taking place in Mexico and India will be moved to Rayong.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the ’18 Ford Fiesta.

Due on sale in the first half of 2017, the next Fiesta will be bumped up in price, quality, refinement and features to reflect more expensive tastes among supermini customers, and to allow room for a cheaper stablemate—the forthcoming Ka+—which will sit just below it in the range.

The Fiesta stays on Ford’s Global B platform for what will be its seventh generation, so while earlier images have shown a mule sporting a wider track, engineers are likely to have only millimeters to play with when it comes to extending dimensions. The styling will incorporate the latest evolution of the family grille, a slightly squarer nose and slim headlamps.

Staying on the same chassis means that Ford can save considerable sums of money on research and development, and at least some of that cash will be pumped into improving two areas where the Fiesta now lags behind the competition—interior quality and big-car features.

Inside, soft-touch materials will replace the current rubberized finish on the facia, and there will be a major overhaul of the car’s infotainment system. Expect the existing tiny display to be replaced by a larger touchscreen, featuring the company’s latest SYNC 3 software for music, smartphone integration and satellite navigation. New safety equipment is likely to include lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring, along with traffic sign recognition.

Nudging the Fiesta upmarket marks a key shift in Ford’s small-car lineup, as the more basic editions of the Fiesta’s Studio and Style trims are likely to be dropped, moving the entry point for the range to around $18,000.

Production of the ’18 Fiesta will be consolidated; North American-bound Fiestas will be sourced at Ford’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand. The plant, opened in 2012, currently builds Fiestas and Focuses for the Southeast Asian markets. From the next generation, Fiesta production currently taking place in Mexico and India will be moved to Rayong.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Linda Spencer

Exhibitors at the nearly sold-out China Auto Salon (CAS) will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.

As part of the 2016 SEMA China Business Development Program, to be held September 7–11, in Shanghai, exhibitors at the nearly sold-out China Auto Salon (CAS) will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China. The first 12 companies to sign up will receive free booth graphics courtesy of Freeman.

For one low cost participants will:

• Exhibit at the China Auto Salon (CAS) in Shanghai, where they will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• Begin promoting their brand to Chinese buyers now through SEMA pre-event outreach to buyers.
• Have access to U.S. government funding to defray the cost of participating for qualified companies.
• Participate in a measuring session in Shanghai featuring vehicles popular globally but not sold in the United States.

The trip includes a four-night hotel stay, meals, interpreters, a turnkey booth, networking events and the chance to measure hard-to-obtain vehicles popularly accessorized in the region.

Wondering what to expect? Read the 2015 SEMA China trip recap.

Find program details at SEMA.org/China, or contact Linda Spencer to arrange a one-on-one briefing about the trip’s features.

By Linda Spencer

Exhibitors at the nearly sold-out China Auto Salon (CAS) will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.

As part of the 2016 SEMA China Business Development Program, to be held September 7–11, in Shanghai, exhibitors at the nearly sold-out China Auto Salon (CAS) will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China. The first 12 companies to sign up will receive free booth graphics courtesy of Freeman.

For one low cost participants will:

• Exhibit at the China Auto Salon (CAS) in Shanghai, where they will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• Begin promoting their brand to Chinese buyers now through SEMA pre-event outreach to buyers.
• Have access to U.S. government funding to defray the cost of participating for qualified companies.
• Participate in a measuring session in Shanghai featuring vehicles popular globally but not sold in the United States.

The trip includes a four-night hotel stay, meals, interpreters, a turnkey booth, networking events and the chance to measure hard-to-obtain vehicles popularly accessorized in the region.

Wondering what to expect? Read the 2015 SEMA China trip recap.

Find program details at SEMA.org/China, or contact Linda Spencer to arrange a one-on-one briefing about the trip’s features.

By AJ Carney

Have you registered yet? SEMA invites industry professionals to its General Membership and Town Hall Meeting in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where members and prospective members will gather at Yakima Products, Thursday June 23, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and discussing the state of the industry.

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the Association’s current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions give members a chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback, which helps identify how current benefits can enhance members’ business operations to better meet their needs.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

By AJ Carney

Have you registered yet? SEMA invites industry professionals to its General Membership and Town Hall Meeting in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where members and prospective members will gather at Yakima Products, Thursday June 23, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and discussing the state of the industry.

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the Association’s current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions give members a chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback, which helps identify how current benefits can enhance members’ business operations to better meet their needs.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Members of the racing industry planning to attend the 2016 PRI Trade Show can now apply for their credentials online.

Attendee registration and housing are now open for the 2016 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. Buyers can apply for credentials, and make their hotel room reservations as part of the registration process; or they can go directly to the PRI Trade Show housing webpage.

A unique email address is required for each registered attendee (PRI does not make these emails available to any other organization). The 2016 PRI Trade Show is a trade-only event, and qualified registrants will first receive an official confirmation by email. Then, several weeks before the Show, credentials will arrive by mail, allowing buyers to bypass long lines at the registration desk on-site at the Indiana Convention Center.

“The PRI Trade Show experienced record attendance last year, and we’re already hearing about how much members of the racing industry are looking forward to PRI 2016,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “We urge everyone to avoid waiting in line at the Show by registering in advance. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s a great convenience to depart for Indianapolis with credentials in your briefcase. Also, attendees and exhibitors take over virtually all of downtown Indianapolis, so it’s always wise to secure hotel accommodations as early as possible.”

Kilroy said attending buyers can check the online 2016 PRI Trade Show floorplan to review exhibitors participating in this year’s PRI Trade Show. The Show started with 1,165 exhibitors on the initial floorplan; that number will surpass 1,200 companies by the time the Show opens.

The 2016 PRI Trade Show will be held December 8–10, 2016, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The Show is the centerpiece event of Race Industry Week 2016, which actually kicks off with events as early as December 5. Altogether, more than 35 conferences, seminars and social events will be held the week of the Show.

For more information, visit www.pri2016.com.