Ford Motor Co unveiled the Fiesta small car to a U. S. audience on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This revamp aimed at making profits in 2011. Ford is hoping in the increase of sales as market shifts toward smaller and more efficient vehicles. The company has plans to bring in six compact and subcompact vehicles from Europe by 2012.

The Fiesta is powered by a 119 horsepower and 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, expected to get at least 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway when matched with a new six-speed automatic transmission with a five-speed manual. The car weighs about 2,600 pounds. It will come in four-door and hatchback models to compete mainly with Toyota Yaris and Honda's Fit. Ford says, keeping in mind Americans anxiety about safety of smaller cars, it has installed features like standard electronic stability control and front, knee, side and head-protecting air bags. Strong steel has been used in impact-absorbing areas. Its engineers have tried to car quiet with sleek design.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global product development chief said, "We haven't dumped it down".

To meet U. S. safety requirements, Ford had to stretch the front bumper and move the lower part of the dashboard rearward to slow unbelted occupants in a collision.

Erich Merkle, President of the auto industry said that the car should successfully attract younger buyers who don't have a lot of money yet, but want their cars to stand out.