Ford Ka Comes to Fork in the Road

[falcon lover]

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

I think Taurus, MK S, Explorer, Flex and MK T share the same platform, no?

[2b2]

Yeah imho D3 & D4 are close enough = 11 platforms for Andrew's list
then
• B3 - Fiesta
• C1 - Focus,C-Max,Escape/Kuga,TransitConnect
• D2C >> S550 - Mustang
• T6 - Ranger
• P2-4 - F-Series
• T1 - Expedition,Navigator
• V347 - Transit
• VN - Econoline
• CD4family
-- CD4 & CD4.2 - Fusion,MKZ, Edge,MKX
-- CD4+3 - Taurus,MKS, Explorer, Flex,MKT
-- CD4+rwd - Falcon,Territory (Link)
= 9
even before that new modular platform comes into being



...edit
now the question becomes what will happen with the nextgen Taurus's CD4+3???
is it worth it to have a large-car platform anymore?
or is the Mod meant to stretch that far?
Could this be why the RHD CD4+3 for the Falcon was cancelled?

• D2C >> S550 - Mustang
• T6 - Ranger
• P2-4 - F-Series
• T1 - Expedition,Navigator
• V347 - Transit
• VN - Econoline
• Modular family
-- B3 - Fiesta
-- C1 - Focus,C-Max,Escape/Kuga,TransitConnect
-- CD4 & CD4.2 - Fusion,MKZ, Edge,MKX
• large cars
-- CD4+3 - Taurus,MKS, Explorer, Flex,MKT
-- CD4+rwd - Falcon,Territory

[AM222]

Ford has revealed that the pint-sized Ka is unlikely to be replaced once the second-generation model reaches the end of its life in a couple of years.
Developed jointly with Fiat and built on the same Polish assembly line as the 500, the second-gen Ka is mostly sold in Europe so it doesn't fit into the American automaker's "One Ford" philosophy.

- http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-say...ncertain.html#

1. It was sold and made in Europe only because it was a joint venture with Fiat and built alongside its mechanical twin, the Fiat 500,, manufacturing it in Ford's own Asian plants or the Ford-Mazda AutoAlliance Thailand plant was obviously not an option.
2. Its only available as a 3-door, to sell in Asia, they need a 5-door version.
3. One Ford never meant it should be sold in every market, it means no redundant models.
The new Ranger for example is sold almost globally except for North America.
A Ka with 5-doors can sell in most markets outside North America.

As long as there wil be vehicles like the F-150, full-size Taurus & Expedition which are mainly sold in North America and some selected markets like in the middle east, there should be a new Ka (with 5-doors), this can be sold in more markets making it more global.

I'd really want to see Ford make a competitor for the Spark.

[ausrutherford]

- http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-say...ncertain.html#

1. It was sold and made in Europe only because it was a joint venture with Fiat and built alongside its mechanical twin, the Fiat 500,, manufacturing it in Ford's own Asian plants or the Ford-Mazda AutoAlliance Thailand plant was obviously not an option.
2. Its only available as a 3-door, to sell in Asia, they need a 5-door version.
3. One Ford never meant it should be sold in every market, it means no redundant models.
The new Ranger for example is sold almost globally except for North America.
A Ka with 5-doors can sell in most markets outside North America.

As long as there wil be vehicles like the F-150, full-size Taurus & Expedition which are mainly sold in North America and some selected markets like in the middle east, there should be a new Ka (with 5-doors), this can be sold in more markets making it more global.

I'd really want to see Ford make a competitor for the Spark.

First and foremost, it needs to be brought back in house.


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[AM222]

First and foremost, it needs to be brought back in house.

I agree.
What they can do is make a modular platform for the next Ka and Fiesta. One for the A-segment (Ka), and a slightly longer and wider one for the B-segment (Fiesta).

The original 1st gen Ka was based on a Fiesta.

[ZanatWork]

I think a 2-door Ka, positioned as a more-attractive alternative to cars like the iQ, could snag some sales...especially if the powertrain is more engaging than the usual hamster-wheel endeavors of the A-class.

[Andrew L]

I think a 2-door Ka, positioned as a more-attractive alternative to cars like the iQ, could snag some sales...especially if the powertrain is more engaging than the usual hamster-wheel endeavors of the A-class.

Ecoboost 3?

[ausrutherford]

They need a full line of city vehicles:

Car- 3,5 door and convertible
MPV
And CUV


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[AM222]

I think a 2-door Ka, positioned as a more-attractive alternative to cars like the iQ, could snag some sales...especially if the powertrain is more engaging than the usual hamster-wheel endeavors of the A-class.

Niche/Novety cars like the iQ won't really sell in high numbers specially in most of Asia.
Ford needs to compete directly with the more practical A-segment models like the Chevy Spark, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Suzuki Alto/Celerio, Mitsubishi Mirage etc.
All these A-segment cars are offered as a 5-door hatchback, some models like the Kia Picanto is available with a 3-door option in Europe.
Among the A-segment models I mentioned above, only the Spark is currently offered in the US, while the Mirage is expected to arrive fall of 2013.
This segment might be tiny in the US, but its popular in Europe and Asia.




*The new Mirage is sort of an in-between model, its larger than most A-segment cars, but is smaller than most B-segment cars, specs, engine options and pricing though are more in line with other A-segment cars.