New Ford Ka Concept

[mackinaw]

From today's Automotive News:

 

"Ford introduced the Ka Concept today in Brazil, calling it the company's first global entrant in the sub-B small car segment."

"Speaking to reporters last week in Detroit, Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of the Americas, said the Ka Concept is "one of the most important product programs in the company in the last few years."

"Brazil is the third-largest market for Ford, and the company believes that the Ka Concept can help expand its current 9.5 percent market share in the country.

Designed and built in Brazil, the Ka Concept is smaller and less expensive than a Ford Fiesta, but Ford designers tried to give it a premium look while keeping the price point low."

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20131113/OEM04/131119961/ford-says-ka-could-build-share-in-global-markets#ixzz2kY7GJrnY

[silvrsvt]

Reminds me of the Escort Concept's styling. Is it me, or does the newer smaller cars look like they are not as styled as racially as their North American or European counterparts that are larger (Fiesta, Focus and Fusion/Mondeo)???

[InTheDriversSeat]

This is really boring looking. What happened to the 2-door and convertible?

 

Previously the Brazilian Ka was was different from the more sporty-looking European Ka.

 

So is the car going to be same now in both Latin America and Europe?

[bzcat]

I wonder if it is still based on the original Mk1 Ka platform, which was itself a shortened Mk4 Fiesta platform? If so, it is positively ancient.

 

I hope Ford Brazil started at least with Mk5 Fiesta/Figo platform, which has much higher level of crash safety protection.

[Dustyw85]

This is really boring looking. What happened to the 2-door and convertible?

 

Previously the Brazilian Ka was was different from the more sporty-looking European Ka.

 

So is the car going to be same now in both Latin America and Europe?

 

This is a replacement for both the European and South American Ka. Martin Smith said last year the European KA will be axed because it doesn't make profit and isn't a global car. LINK

It will probably be made in Brazil, China, and India where it will be imported to Europe like the Ecosport is.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Dustyw85

[Kris Kolman]

Press in India seem to think this Ka is a replacement for the locally producted Figo, both are based on the Mk5 Fiesta... Also a sedan is soon to follow.

 

http://indianautosblog.com/2013/11/2015-ford-figo-sedan-103700

 

http://indianautosblog.com/2013/11/2015-ford-figo-sedan-spied-103141

[bzcat]

Remember this thread? http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/54357-fords-project-b562-to-make-india-a-compact-car-global-production-base/?hl=figo&do=findComment&comment=864641

[jpd80]

Ford did make mention of a new platform being developed for the Ka, so no longer shared with Fiat

and Ford has indicated a desire to move away form Fiesta's current platform shared with Mazda 2

 

The smartest move would seem to have the babies share one platform and make Ka slightly larger

to be come more usable, increase next Fiesta's size and then reposition Focus just below Mid sized.

If Ford followed that strategy, its small vehicles would better align with VW models in Europe and ROW

but also allow FNA to access better sized small vehicles for its own market without bearing all the cost.

 

Currently, FAPA is working on a mid sized car for one of Ford China JV brands (Jia Vue?)

so there's a lot of changes coming about because of regional desires with smaller vehicles.

All of this gives me hope that Ford's international vehicle line up will benefit in the next few years.

Edited November 14, 2013 by jpd80