Ford Brazil has shown off an apparently European Fiesta-inspired Ka ‘concept’ as chairman Bill Ford visited the factory in Camacari ahead of celebrating the company’s 100-year anniversary in Argentina later in the week.
Ford Brazil’s current Ka, launched early in 2008, is a local remake of the first generation model rather than a reskinned Fiat 500, as sold in Europe.
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The automaker said global demand for sub-B compact vehicles is projected to increase to 6.2m by 2017 with growth of 35% from 2012 to 2017, well above the industry growth rate of 12 percentage points largely on the back of surging demand from urban consumers in developing countries.
This one looks like going global, or at least global emerging markets. Ford described it as “a strong precursor to an all-new global compact car” which “could launch in 2014”. It is claimed to offer class-leading fuel economy, a roomy interior with comfortable seating for five, class leading air conditioning, a central docking station for mobile devices and Sync.
“The Ford Ka Concept is aimed at customers in growth markets who want and expect more,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas.
It shows the continued importance of our South American design and engineering capabilities to serve markets around the world.”
The Ka Concept is the second vehicle developed by Ford Brazil following the EcoSport compact utility. It will be a critical entry in emerging markets such as South America and South Asia, which will jointly make up 44% of the global sub-B compact vehicle segment by 2017.
