The idea that there are more than 10,000 examples of the sixth-generation Ford Fiesta on Malaysian roads is staggering, particularly for someone who bought into the brand well before it was considered swanky to do so. While Japanese car owners won't understand what's mind-boggling about that, the out-in-left-field enthusiast who went with something like the second-gen C307 Ford Focus will. Because it wasn't that long ago that being seen with a Blue Oval wasn't fashionable, to put it simply. Being different, yes. In vogue, no.
Being chic in a Ford last happened in the '80s, when the Laser S and TX3s were very much "in" and cult vehicles. Somewhere along the way, the bean counters committed what would best be termed malfeasance with a series of poor model selections, effectively committing the brand to a slow, progressive downfall (and becoming a Ranger-trick pony) it never recovered from until three years ago.
The Focus never did the job, despite its credentials. The first-gen C170 may have been sterling, but with too few examples (150 or so) and being too niche (manual) it never got things going. The second-gen fared better, but again never became a volume seller. The current third-gen C346 aims to go further, but it isn't the magic bullet for the brand, or its volume seller.
The arrival of the Fiesta Mk6 changed all that. This then is the vehicle responsible for putting the brand back on to a decent perch; after all, 10,000 examples since it made its debut in late 2010 isn't a small matter, considering the state of affairs pre-2010. Of course, three years on, it's the turn of the facelift to continue lighting up the trail.
Full take on the facelifted B299 after the jump.
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