Ford Ka shows eye saloon in the dispute of the compacts

SAO PAULO-the Ford of Brazil showed on Monday, 3, the new Ka, global brand model sedan that should begin to be sold only in July, along with the hatchback version, presented by the company in November. Both versions were developed in Brazil, in partnership with engineers and designers from other factories of the group in the world and will be produced in Camaçari (BA).
Simultaneously to the presentation in São Paulo, the new Ka, totally different from the previous one, was shown at the Salon of New Delhi, in India, where he also will be produced. Subsequently, the Compact will be made in other countries, the example of what occurs with the EcoSport, launching in Brazil and today manufactured in China, India and Thailand. ?It's a great honor for us to have cars designed in Brazil for the world?, says Rogelio Golfarb, Director of Ford.
The Ka hatch will be the cheapest model of the Ford (the price was not revealed) and will act on the popular compact car segment, responsible for approximately 60% of car sales in the country. The sedan version must have price in the range of $ 30,000. Compacts with four doors represent 20% of total sales.
In addition to the old Ka, which ceased to be manufactured at the end of the year, the new model, which will have engines 1.0 and 1.5 replaces the Fiesta Rocam, sold today between $ 27 million and $ 36 million. According to the President of Ford South America, Steve Armstrong, the new Ka will? put Ford in a strategic position to meet the growing demand of the compact segment in Brazil and other major markets with a new product?
The new Ka will have, for example, and the stability control system named MyFord Dock, which allows use and recharge devices like cell phones, MP3 players and GPS, integrated with the vehicle connectivity system.
The compact segment is also what brings together the largest number of competitors. On Wednesday, 5, Volkswagen launches the up!, whose mission is to be the beetle from the future, attracting consumers who today do not have conditions to acquire a model zero-kilometer.
In the middle of the year reach the Nissan March-national which will be manufactured in Resende (RJ)-and the imported Chinese Geely GC2. In 2015 will be the turn of the Chevrolet Celta substitutes and the Fiat Mille, besides the Chery QQ and the JAC J3, all nationals.
Today, the list of biggest selling Compact has Goal, Uno, Palio, Fox, Fiesta and HB20, but the category includes more luxurious models like Audi A1 and Mini.
Global
With the new Ka, Ford anticipates for the 2014 plan announced two years ago to have all its line composed of global cars (produced or sold in various countries) until 2015. ?We are the first manufacturer in Brazil to have its entire line composed of global products?, says Armstrong. The information is from the newspaper O Estado de s. Paulo.