Ford Ka Comes to Fork in the Road

[ausrutherford]

By Richard Bremner
Nov 20, 2012
Edmunds

Just the Facts:
Ford will decide on the core platform hardware for its third-generation Ford Ka city car early next year — but whether the minicar will ever come to the U.S. is still a question.
Ford is choosing between a revised version of the Fiat 500 platform used for the current Ka or a lightened version of Ford's next-generation B-car platform.
Bringing the Ka entirely in-house will allow Ford more control over the destiny of the minicar.

LONDON — Ford will decide on the core platform hardware for its third-generation Ford Ka city car early next year — but whether the minicar will ever come to the U.S. is still a question.

Ford is choosing between a revised version of the Fiat 500 platform used for the current Ka or a lightened version of Ford's next-generation B-car platform, part of a modular platform that stretches from the Ford Fiesta through to the Mondeo.

Bringing the Ka entirely in-house will allow Ford more control over the destiny of a model that has enjoyed less success in its second generation. The downside of this choice is that Ford will not then be able to share its development costs with another automaker.

[ausrutherford]

They need to split away from Fiat. This would allow more city sized products (MPV, CUV) and increase Ford's capacity issue in Europe.

[nruggiero]

They need to split away from Fiat. This would allow more city sized products (MPV, CUV) and increase Ford's capacity issue in Europe.

Hopefully, they will choose that option.

[2b2]

...Ford will decide on the core platform hardware for its third-generation Ford Ka city car early next year

— but whether the minicar will ever come to the U.S. is still a question.

...or a lightened version of Ford's next-generation B-car platform, part of a modular platform that stretches from the Ford Fiesta through to the Mondeo...

seems like a major platform(s) change is coming way sooner than I expected (Link)
I at least thought CD4, if not C2 also, would last thru Q3 2018 (Fusion new tophat)

imho a US-KA is not a question of "IF" but "WHEN"

"modular" or more than "modular"? (CD4+r.w.d. Poll thread)

[Andrew L]

seems like a major platform(s) change is coming way sooner than I expected (Link)
I at least thought CD4, if not C2 also, would last thru Q3 2018 (Fusion new tophat)

imho a US-KA is not a question of "IF" but "WHEN"

"modular" or more than "modular"? (CD4+r.w.d. Poll thread)

Not sure if the KA ever could come to the US. The Fiesta is a tough sell I can't even imagine how low the sales take of the KA would be.

[falcon lover]

Not sure if the KA ever could come to the US. The Fiesta is a tough sell I can't even imagine how low the sales take of the KA would be.

Why the Mini is a succes in USA? because is an upscale, compact car. maybe, a Ka with the Start concept car body, and an interior with evry amenities and luxurie needed, could be a chic car, like the Mini... maybe a Lincoln?

[2b2]

Not sure if the KA ever could come to the US. The Fiesta is a tough sell I can't even imagine how low the sales take of the KA would be.

I'm thinking about $10 gas
OR
kWh (kiloWatthours) doubling or more + infrastructure costs


KA(equivalent) = inevitable

[bomt1]

Wait a minute...
How about it's evil twin?????

[24grant24]

Can somebody lay out fords 11 current platforms. What the 9 platforms going forward into 2013 will be?

[Andrew L]

E8 - Ford Falcon, Territory
D3 - Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS
CD3 - Ford Fusion, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKX
D2C - Ford Mustang
C1 - Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, Ford Escape/Kuga, Ford Transit Connect
B3 - Ford Fiesta
T6 - Ford Ranger
P2-4 - F-Series
D4 - Ford Flex, Ford Explorer, Lincoln MKT
T1 - Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator
V347 - Ford Transit
VN - Ford Econoline