Gas prices are on the rise again, but there is a bright spot in that potential cloud. It’s called “Fiesta” and it’s coming to your local Ford dealer starting next year.

Ford already offers some of the most fuel-efficient models available today including the Focus and Fusion. (The Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan you can buy, EPA-rated to achieve 41 mpg city.) A new generation of passenger cars – largely engineered with help from Ford’s European operations - promises even better fuel economy yet with fun performance and premium features.

The first of those new models, the Fiesta, arrives in 2010. Noted car magazines have already driven the Fiesta and are giving it high praise for its engaging driving character, quality and comfort. Fiesta is no ordinary small car.

Car & Driver said after driving the Fiesta, “American drivers are in for a treat because this new Fiesta is probably the best-handling and most driver-friendly of all the world’s microcars.” The magazine also compared the Fiesta’s handling fun to the MINI Cooper, but with a more comfortable ride quality.

Motor Trend praised the Fiesta’s interior design and quality and also noted its zesty handling. “Overall highway comfort really is close to far more expensive stuff like, say, an Audi A3,” the magazine said, concluding, “The new Fiesta can't arrive here soon enough, but it will be worth the wait.”

Meanwhile, Ford is also preparing a number of other fuel-efficient models, with details to be revealed in the coming months. From each of these new models, you can expect striking styling, lively performance, outstanding comfort and, of course, high fuel economy.

Well before the Fiesta arrives for sale, you may spot one in your neighborhood. Ford used the Internet to recruit 100 “agents” for its “Fiesta Movement.” More than 4,000 people applied. The agents, many of whom are college age, will each drive a Fiesta for six months and record their experiences on social networking sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, FlickR and YouTube.

The Fiesta Movement prescribes driving “missions” that fall under various categories including Travel, Adventure, Social Activism, Technology, Style and Design and Entertainment. One such mission was to “Find someone you know, or don’t, who has never been to the ocean in their life, drive them there, take pics.” Another requested that agents “visit a family member or old friend that you’ve been out of touch with for years.”

You can follow the program on http://www.fiestamovement.com/.

You don’t need to be an agent to try the Fiesta soon, though. Ford is bringing driving events to cities all around the U.S. To find a driving event in your area, click on the Ride and Drive tab at fiestamovement.com.

Even before Ford’s intriguing new passenger cars arrive, business owners and tradespeople will be the first to experience its new vehicle revolution. Arriving this summer, the Ford Transit Connect is a radically different kind of cargo van, one that uses much less fuel while offering greater driving ease and comfort. It happens to be a snazzy looker, too.

What’s so radical about it? The Transit Connect will hold up to 135 cubic feet of cargo (up to a 1,600 pound payload), yet is 10 inches shorter than the midsize Fusion Sedan and rides lower than traditional cargo vans. So, it’s a breeze to drive and park, especially in congested areas.

The Transit Connect is coming at the perfect time, too. It starts at just $21,475 and will return an estimated 22 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway. Check out the new Transit Connect at www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/.

Ford isn’t just ready for the future; it’s leading the car industry into it.