Ford introduces new Ka in Brazil

Ford presented this Wednesday (13), in Camaçari (BA), the Ka Concept, which will be the basis for the new generation of the hatch, which will also have the bodywork with 4 doors-currently, there's only 2 doors. Developed in that unit to be a product world-the second after the EcoSport, the Ka will be released in Brazil next year.
In the presentation, the automaker promised that the model will not be a "car naked", stating that, at least in some versions, he will have the Sync connectivity system and the possibility to connect the phone to the vehicle. Ford also promised that the Ka will be "the most economical category", in the words of Joe Hindricks, President of Ford in the Americas. There is also the promise of "spacious interior" and investment in security.
The event in Bahia also featured Bill Ford, great-grandson of founder Henry Ford and the current President of the World Council of the brand, delivering a speech in the presence of officials from the plant. "This is the 2nd global product coming from Brazil and yet to come other marks. The best is yet to come, starting with the new Ka, "he said.
In Brazil, the rivals declared the new Ka is the Volkswagen Gol, Fiat Palio and rookies Chevrolet and Hyundai Onix HB20, "especially the 1.0 versions", warns the chief marketing officer, Oswaldo Ramos.
The Ka follows the new brand identity, whose calling card is the trapezoidal grille as is seen in the Fusion and new Focus. He shares the same platform with the New Fiesta and EcoSport. It wasn't disclosed a factsheet, but the automaker says that the distance between track centres must have the same measurement in Ka than in their "relatives". Also the interior of the car remains in secret: the copy shown on the press is the so-called "dummy". The automaker says that, on Wednesday, wanted to emphasize the external design.
New engine
Although he did not reveal anything about the mechanics of the model, Ford announced that it will open next year a new engine plant, now in Camaçari-in Taubaté (SP) is made the Sigma, which equips the New Fiesta, for example. Of Camaçari shall come forth a "revolutionary", according to Bill Ford. The block should be one of 3 cylinders.
Escort, not
The hatch was shown as Ka Concept (concept), and the automaker does not guarantee that it will keep that name. "What I'm sure is it won't be called the Escort," said Ramos, upon being asked about the rumors of the return of the name.
In addition to the new engine plant, the President of Ford South America, Steven Armstrong, announced that the company will increase the plant's capacity of 250 thousand to the Camaçari 300 thousand vehicles per year.
The automaker does not reveal what other countries the Ka will be produced and in which markets will be sold, in addition to Brazil. "I can say that there is a lot of potential in South America and South Asia, and we want to be there," says Hindricks.
Price below the Fiesta
Ford should only talk price when the Ka is to hit stores next year, but because of the novelty factor and the promise of a car equipped, the model should not be the cheapest of Brazil, as did occur with the current, in 2010. The Ka, however, will be kept as the brand's entry model, below the New Fiesta. Fiesta Rocam and the current Ka will say goodbye.