| kumbo1 | 01-27-2009 12:37 PM |
Ford Ka considered for U.S.
The Ford Ka may be coming to the U.S. Ford CEO Alan Mulally seems to be interested in America's renewed interest in small cars.
But he may be the only one. Word is most in the upper levels at Ford are not 100% on board with the idea. According to BusinessWeek, Mulally gives the final call to Derrick Kuzak, global head of product development. Kuzak and Chief Marketing Officer James Farley are not so keen on bringing the Ka to the States.
The second generation of the reasonably priced minicar comes with a 1.2-liter four-cylinder producing 67 horsepower. With the available five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel-drive, the pilot is lucky to get the car to 100 km/h in 13 seconds. Released just this year, the new Ford Ka also allows a 1.4-liter petrol and 1.3-liter TDCi.
Speed is not meant to be this car's selling point. 55 miles-per-gallon and a price of around £9,295 ($13,625) is. However, unless the car would get a U.S. production line, costs would likely increase. Although sold in South America already, making the car compatible with U.S. safety standards, environmental regulations, and export costs would push the price up, possibly making it a no-sale in the U.S.
Mulally, a big fan of the Ka, may continue to press the issue. And Mulally is the big boss. If he wants the car to come to the U.S., we will see the Ford Ka whipping around the streets as soon as he wills it so. Built on a Fiat Panda platform, it would become the smallest car sold in North America. http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/10/large/291008for.jpg | 