Ford CEO says company assessing tiny car for US

[doh]

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081006/ford_mulally.html?.v=1

Ford CEO Mulally says company revisiting decision not to sell tiny Ka model in US


DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally says increased demand for small cars has led the automaker to revisit its decision not to bring the tiny European Ka model to the United States.
Mulally said on Detroit radio station WJR's "Paul W. Smith Show" Monday that Ford is assessing the Ka now, and that a lot of people share the opinion that Ford Motor Co. should bring it to the U.S.

A new version of the Ka was unveiled last week at the Paris Motor Show. It will be launched in major European markets by late this year or early 2009.

[johnstarnes]

I think they would do well to bring it here.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by doh

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081006/ford_mulally.html?.v=1

Ford CEO Mulally says company revisiting decision not to sell tiny Ka model in US


DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally says increased demand for small cars has led the automaker to revisit its decision not to bring the tiny European Ka model to the United States.
Mulally said on Detroit radio station WJR's "Paul W. Smith Show" Monday that Ford is assessing the Ka now, and that a lot of people share the opinion that Ford Motor Co. should bring it to the U.S.

A new version of the Ka was unveiled last week at the Paris Motor Show. It will be launched in major European markets by late this year or early 2009.

Negotiations are underway with Fiat to build the Fiat 500 and Ford Ka alongside each other in a North American plant.

They're just running the numbers again to see if the plan makes sense financially, which I'm sure it will.

[BORG]

Interesting, the presence of the Fiat will make it possible.

[escapen]

Wow, I was gonna post this from Autoblog but I didnt see anything about the Fiat 500 possibility. I had heard of it being an import and that was still a faint possibility. Looks like BMW/ Mini and GM have helped one Italian automaker (Alfa Romeo) cross the pond, and now Ford could jumpstart Fiat or at the least the 500 to make it to America.

Also, the 500 could be built at a Ford plant or if Fiat would rather build their own plant

[BigThreeForever]

The new Ford Ka is one my "Car Debut Let Downs Of The Year".

I recall the 1996 original as a really sharp, radical, great-driving little car (never liked the tail styling, but you can't have everything).

The new one just seems like a very predictable attempt - both inside and out - to weld new Fiesta styling cues onto the Fiat 500.

Meh.

The new Fiesta is a much more exciting proposition for America. Can't see its mileage being that much worse than the Ka's, either.

Having said that, maybe Ford is considering the propaganda and "psych war" aspects of stuffy old Ford marketing a neat small car - and one even smaller than the Yaris and Fit.

Cue an outbreak of raving metrosexual trendies and sanctimonious eco-charlatans . . .

[Bravada]

Fiat is reportedly still holding the option open on a Canadian plant (Fiat's CEO is an Italian-Canadian)

I recall the 1996 original as a really sharp, radical, great-driving little car (never liked the tail styling, but you can't have everything).

The new one just seems like a very predictable attempt - both inside and out - to weld new Fiesta styling cues onto the Fiat 500.

I am afraid I have to agree. The 500 and KA seem to be on the opposite ends of city car desirability range... Still, buy any of those, or a Panda - buy POLISH

[prototype66]

looks like a Geo Metro with that puffy suit on!
Great looking car for what size it is. NHTS is next on the agenda for this and beat/groove

[Rocket 88]

Originally Posted by BORG

Interesting, the presence of the Fiat will make it possible.

I always thought GM should work closely with Fiat. How could that possibly go bad? Its not like they'd end up throwing a billion dollars in the toilet.

[escapen]

Originally Posted by prototype66

looks like a Geo Metro with that puffy suit on!
Great looking car for what size it is. NHTS is next on the agenda for this and beat/groove

Yeah its almost inexcusable for GM not to get the Beat certified for the NA market. The Ka competes with the Opel Agila I belive and is smaller than the Corsa or the Beat would be.

Originally Posted by Rocket 88

I always thought GM should work closely with Fiat. How could that possibly go bad? Its not like they'd end up throwing a billion dollars in the toilet.

They share epsilon I but I think they still help them with engines and such. Automakers are all up for grabs in terms of alliances, Ford and PSA share a diesel that is used in small cars for them and BMW in europe. Ford just knew the 500 platform would be great for the new Ka.

[BrickTamland]

Bring it over! Smarts are selling purely on uniqueness - the Ka has value on its side.

[Chaz_23]

At least they're thinking about it- that's a sign that someone there has brains. Just watch them decide against it, again, because of what some beancounter says.

[Greg Burr]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

At least they're thinking about it- that's a sign that someone there has brains. Just watch them decide against it, again, because of what some beancounter says.

Before maybe, but less likely now. The new sheriff has shaken up the town a bit.

BTW, Yahoo, it's not a $700 billion bailout for the domestic auto industry.

[Rocket 88]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

At least they're thinking about it- that's a sign that someone there has brains. Just watch them decide against it, again, because of what some beancounter says.

Can't disagree with that. If Ford comes out with a press release that they decided against this because "the American consumer doesn't want small cars" I'm going to go Bat @^$&.

[Buick Riviera]

The chevrolet beat has been rideing around in new york city I belive for the longest now, with covering on and at these delearships. Gm will have it's gamma cars.