FORMER Ford Dunton workers have paid tribute to an “icon of an era” after the car manufacturer announced its iconic Fiesta model will be dropped next year after 46 years on sale.

Ford has confirmed the brand’s once best-selling supermini is being axed as the firm “accelerates” its plans to become fully electric.

The Fiesta first arrived in 1976 and Ford has now produced more than 22 million examples of this supermini across nine generations.

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Leigh resident Stephen Aylen, who worked as a designer at Ford Dunton in Basildon for 36 years said: “It’s sad to see the end of the era. It was a staple vehicle for so many families.

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“I was very fond of the Fiesta; it was a great car to work on and was obviously a massive success.”

Mr Ayen, who would provide sketches and ideas for the engineers to make a reality, added: “I remember back in the 80s when it was highlighted that the car was easily stolen, the company said, ‘well yes, because it’s very reliable, starts first time, is nippy, can hold four people plus luggage, and also blends in because there are so many!’”

Southend resident Alan Thorley, 67, who worked in the interior styling department, said: “I had many good years with Ford and especially enjoyed my years working on the Fiesta.

Mr Thorley, who retired in 2006, added: “I’m very sad to hear it is going, but I must admit it has a very 70s name and I understand why the company is looking to the future.

“It was a very stylish and handsome little car; you could say it was an icon of the era in the 80s.”

Despite the Fiesta remaining the best-selling car for a number of years up to 2020, Ford has now confirmed that production of the model will finish at the brand’s factory in Cologne, Germany, ‘by the end of June 2023’.

In a statement, Ford said: “At Ford in Europe, we are accelerating our efforts to go all-in on electrification with our passenger vehicles being fully electric by 2030 – and all vehicles across our Ford portfolio by 2035.

“As we get ready to transition to an electric future, we will discontinue production of S-Max and Galaxy in Valencia, Spain in April 2023 and discontinue Fiesta production in Cologne, Germany by end of June 2023.”