Ken Block and his new Fiesta debut.

[longy]

Ken Block debuting his new S2000 Fiesta for Monster World Rally Team in a shakedown run.On the ice with studdless Pirelli tyres. Now if this bloke and car doesn't help Ford with the young crowd image nothing will.Great move from Ford to ingrain the brand into young folk.The Subaru diehards are dirty!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K37p...ature=youtu.be

[PaulST]

I prefer the look of the Focus WRC but this is fantastic advertising for the Fiesta. The biggest problem Ford face with the Fiesta is that it's seen as a "girly" car. Real men buy trucks and big sedans! So by getting this guy into the Fiesta, it now becomes cool and attractive to young guys.
I recall when I was looking at a new car and a big disadvantage of the Fiesta was that it is a girls car. Great car, but I'd be embarrassed to show my mates!

[idaho]

I see that you both make reference to Ford getting Ken Block into the car. Are there any references to that? I would have thought that the deal was the other way around.

Ken Block certainly has a passion for rallying but also the money (DC) and attraction to USA sponsors that I would have imagined that it would be a pay for drive arrangement.

[longy]

Quote: Originally Posted by idaho

I see that you both make reference to Ford getting Ken Block into the car. Are there any references to that? I would have thought that the deal was the other way around. Ken Block certainly has a passion for rallying but also the money (DC) and attraction to USA sponsors that I would have imagined that it would be a pay for drive arrangement.

Not sure who chased who but Block did say that they had been working on the deal for more than 12 months.Subaru obviously didn't see the value or could not afford the price tag.Win,win for Ford on this one.Block is a cult hero and just what Ford need to entice the younger generation.

[trainman]

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulST

The biggest problem Ford face with the Fiesta is that it's seen as a "girly" car. Real men buy trucks and big sedans! So by getting this guy into the Fiesta, it now becomes cool and attractive to young guys. I recall when I was looking at a new car and a big disadvantage of the Fiesta was that it is a girls car. Great car, but I'd be embarrassed to show my mates!

Only really applies here in Oz. Most other places around the world, a cars size doesn't matter too much.

This is a really good way to advertise the Fiesta in a motorsport environment.

[FG40]

That guy is cool.

[longy]

Had a team of 13/14 year old lads for the weekend with sports carnival down the Gold Coast. They started talking about the Subbies at one point and I mentioned Ken Block had moved to Ford.Wasn't long before they were asking questions about the new Fiesta and I let them know about the Focus he will drive as well.Next thing a few of the parents chimed in and started talking about the Fiesta and the new add/fuel economy and looks.Got them talking so that's a plus. Positive stuff in my opinion and because Ken Block is a cult hero to the young I think it is one of the smartest moves Ford have made in recent times.Incidently he won his first stage in the rally on the weekend and was going great untill a suspension failure put him out,but for him to win his first stage ever in the car the first time he has competed in it is a sign of things to come.