Regardless of whether or not you believe the new Ford Fiesta to be just another micro-compact taint on the auto industry as a whole, it’s at least apparently a pretty well-designed taint. Standing before a panel of 28 designers representing a total of 19 countries, the 2009 Ford Fiesta beat out 3,321 other submissions from across the globe to receive the 2009 international red dot product design award. Presented by Germany-based Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the red dot award honors excellence in product design, communication design and design concept, and is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Joining an ever-expanding list of accolades, the red dot award will receive a spot in the 2009 Ford Fiesta’s trophy case alongside Car of the Year 2009 award given by Britain’s What Car? Magazine, and Auto der Vernunft 2009 trophy presented by Guter Rat and SUPERillu to the new Fiesta ECOnetic.

“We are delighted not only to receive this important award but also by the growing list of accolades given to the new Fiesta,” said Ford of Europe Executive Design Director, Martin Smith. “It is particularly encouraging to see that our new small car was singled out for its innovative, expressive design by some of the world’s leading designers.”