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NEWS
Ford Ka Concept previews 2014 production model
But next generation global small car is an unlikely prospect for AustraliaFord's 2014 Ka will be strongly influenced by the show car pictured here. But as appealing and clos to production as the concept car looks, the next-gen Ka is not expected to make it to Australia.
Ford Australia last sold the Ka here in 2002. The tiny hatch met with limited success, selling fewer than 1000 units that final year and a further 634 trickled out of showroom doors in runout the following year. It was widely held at the time that local buyers avoided the Ka due principally to its lack of an automatic transmission option. Offering a cramped rear seat and just two doors didn't help.
Despite offering rear doors now (and perhaps the promise of a Getrag PowerShift transmission), the new Ka is not on the radar at Ford Australia, a company spokesperson told motoring.com.au today.
The Ka Concept revealed overnight during a ceremony in Brazil and developed in the South American country, is a foretaste of the production model that will represent Ford in the Sub-B segment of markets around the world. Offering up-to-date technology the production Ka will revitalise Ford's engagement with the rapidly expanding market segment.
The manufacturer predicts that the global Sub-B segment will grow by 35 per cent during the period from 2012 to 2017. That will expand the market to 6.2 million vehicles a year. Other market segments are anticipated to grow by around 12 per cent, highlighting the enormous potential of the Sub-B segment. Further projections suggest that South America and South Asia could account for 44 per cent of global sales in the Sub-B Segment by 2017, explaining in large part why Ford's Brazilian subsidiary was handed the role of developing the concept – and presumably the production car to follow.
Described by Ford in the company's press release as "a strong precursor to an all-new global compact car," the Ka Concept boasts "comfortable seating for five, best-in-class air conditioning, and a host of useful technologies such as a central docking station for mobile devices and Ford SYNC."
Present at the occasion in Brazil was Bill Ford, the manufacturer's Executive Chairman – and great-grandson of the company founder Henry Ford. He was joined by Joe Hinrichs, president of The Americas for Ford.
"The Ford Ka Concept is aimed at customers in growth markets who want and expect more," Hinrichs was quoted saying in a press release.
"It will delight consumers with its sleek design, clever technology, attention-to-detail quality and superb craftsmanship. It also shows the continued importance of our South American design and engineering capabilities to serve markets around the world. It's truly another global design and engineering milestone for Ford."
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