Ford revs up color choices for 2011 Fiesta launch

Eye-popping new color choices for the 2011 Ford Fiesta seem more appropriate for such childish items as crayons and popsicles. Ford on Thursday confirmed that the new Fiesta — aimed at a younger crowd — will be offered in Bright Magenta and Lime Squeeze.

The automaker cited the bold shades used in many consumer products, including "laptop computers to vacuums to stand mixers for the kitchen," in explaining the unexpected color choices for the Fiesta. In fact, the Fiesta color palette seems derived from Fiesta dinnerware, the inexpensive dishes sold by a Newell, West Virginia, company and known for its bold colors. Fiesta dinnerware is now touting its new color, Lemongrass, which looks just a shade lighter than the Ford Fiesta's Lime Squeeze.

The wild color choices for the Fiesta apparently resonate around the globe. In China, 28 percent of Fiestas purchased are Passion Orange, the automaker said. Ford research also showed that in Europe, vehicle color was among the top 10 reasons cited for purchasing a Fiesta.

The attraction to rainbow colors extends beyond small vehicles like the Fiesta, Ford says. It said in a statement that about 39 percent of customers purchasing the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor are choosing Molten Orange, while the new Grabber Blue color of the 2010 Ford Mustang is "exceeding sales projections. That color accounts for about 10 percent of 2010 Mustang sales at this point.

Ford is about to color your world with the upcoming 2011 Fiesta launch.