Report: Mulally wants to bring Ford Ka to U.S.; other execs opposed
01/13/2009, 12:23 PM
By Nick Aziz
CEO Alan Mulally is keen to bring the Ford Ka sub-compact hatchback to the U.S. market, but so far he doesn’t have the support of other top executives. Mulally is no stranger to conversional decisions — he boldly revived the Taurus nameplate after taking the helm at Ford — but so far he’s watching and waiting when it comes to the Ka.
Global product chief Derrick Kuzak and chief marketing officer James Farley are said to be opposed to importing the tiny vehicle to America. The two executives “get suspiciously quiet, and you can almost see their eyes roll” when the subject comes up, notes BusinessWeek’s David Kiley. “Kuzak even smirks over it.”
But that doesn’t mean Mulally won’t eventually go with his gut feeling on the Ka. He’ll just have to come up with the business case, which, right now, isn’t very appealing. Federalizing the vehicle would be expensive, and it could be hard to reach U.S. safety and emissions standards without significant investment. Pricing the car for a profit might also put it outside the reach of consumers who would actually want it.
Ford introduced a redesigned Ka in August. The new model was co-developed with Fiat and rides on the same architecture as the Fiat 500. It achieves 55 mpg and takes 13 seconds to hit 60 mph. Power comes from a 1.2-liter engine producing 67 horsepower. A 100 hp 1.4-liter motor found in the Fiat Cinquecento is optional. If sold in America, the Ka would be the second-smallest vehicle on the market.
01/13, 12:53 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
What does LLN means the “Ka would be the smallest vehicle on the market?”
The Ka is NOT smaller than a Smart, LLN. The Ka is also a lot coller than a Smart.
01/13, 12:55 PM
posted by:
aesir
Mullaly is a very smart man, but I do believe the other execs are right on this one. I don’t think it’s an efficient use of their resources. There are two many other competitors and its not practical for American usage. I’m already starting to see Smart cars on used dealer lots. It would be interesting to see a market study on the consumers that bought the Smart car.
01/13, 12:56 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
The whole car is the size of a Lincoln grill.
01/13, 1:15 PM
posted by:
aesir
I don’t know. It’s close. Though, I think it’s more the shape of an Audi grill.
01/13, 1:20 PM
posted by:
A4
i would love to see this car on our shores granted it comes priced at a very attractive point, $9,995 with the 100hp 1.4 engine.
01/13, 1:21 PM
posted by:
Struggle
Tiny little thing.
Should get what, 5-10k per gallon?
01/13, 1:24 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
I kind of agree with aesir on this one. The Ka would be good for Ford’s long term lineup but Ford needs to stabilize in the US first and work at solidifying the market segments that they’re currently in. They’re not in this segment right now in the US and I don’t know that they could figure out how to properly market & sell. (Keep it on the back burner for now.)
01/13, 1:41 PM
posted by:
HoosierHero
Not worth bringing this over. Especially with the Fiesta coming over…
01/13, 1:52 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
I agree with Hoosier here. Its not worth bringing over, at least without the Fiesta establishing itself.
If the market is willing to buy a sub Focus car like the Fiesta then maybe Ford can bring over the Ka.
The Price point for a vehicle like this will be also be very import.
01/13, 2:00 PM
posted by:
anti-believer
Woooo Ford make a Lincoln out of this too!!!!!
01/13, 2:28 PM
posted by:
bigjimid
As other said above, I agree that Ford should see how well the Fiesta goes over before thinking about the Ka.
01/13, 2:44 PM
posted by:
Tripleoneflipper
I need to go KaKa.
01/13, 2:55 PM
posted by:
Struggle
Stupid name, but yeah, wait on the Fiesta.
01/13, 4:06 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
omfg! give Mulally a raise, dump those other retard executives
01/13, 4:24 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
As great as this may seem, if Fiat brings the 500 then it will have some competition. At least Mulally’s the only one asking the right questions. Ford is still alive only because of him.
01/13, 5:13 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
Does anyone have a brain these days.
01/13, 6:07 PM
posted by:
ltbullitt
Mulally doesnt need another raise, dude makes an amzing amount of money. the Ka is not the car for now if Ford brings it here gas better be in the $4 range and they better market it really good.
01/13, 6:20 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
More proof that Ford sucks.
01/13, 11:01 PM
posted by:
pursang
“‘Kuzak even smirks over it.’†I did too when I tried to picture your average american trying to fit into it.
01/13, 11:23 PM
posted by:
llun00
Bring it over only if they can get the price point under 10k like the Versa.
01/14, 4:20 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
I disagree with the old Blood at Ford. This car would sell here in the US and Mulally would be right. The point is to have something in every part of the market. Ford does not have an ultra small car. This would fill that important need. It would give Ford a full deck of cards to play with. If it did’nt work big deal. You fire again with another product.
01/14, 4:21 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
I think this Vehicle would be a Hit for Ford because no other domestic has a car like this. And not even Toyota or Honda have one. Its cute and I would buy one.
01/14, 3:49 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
That thing is way too small for the U.S. market. The Fiesta is small enough, and a much better product. No need to go smaller than that. It won’t sell.
01/14, 10:46 PM
posted by:
winnipegjets
i have to disagree with the rest of you guys… if toyota can market and maintain a good client base for its 3-door yaris, then ford can market this… this is exactly what ford needs, but they need it yesterday, not 2 years from now… its only a matter of time before gas gets back up to 1.50$ a litre again in canada (there are 4 litres to a gallon so do the math) and european fords are way nicer than american fords… ford if you want to make it out of this recession, you need this car in north america. also, im not a huge fan of the D3, but nobody deserves to be without a job, i dont care if your part of the UAW or not
01/15, 5:13 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
The Only thing Ford may worry about is cannabalization of sales but you know this car has only one other car really to compete with in the Smart for two. So Ford does not have to worry about cannablizing sales from other models like the Fiesta. I say bring it . It will undoubted bring more customers into the show room. So for whatever reason the Execs at Ford are thinking. Stop thinking it. Its stupid let Mulally bring this car to the US. I am telling you this car will help Ford Tremendously. Go with your Gut feel on this Allan Mulally don’t let those Dufuses at the Top rain on your parade. This will work.
01/15, 5:20 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
The thing of it is. Its an Interesting little car, and I say this. This gets Ford into a Segment never touched before but I am telling you its dying to grow by leaps and bounds. IF Gas Goes up and by all indications it will NEVER STAY down permanantly then this is a car that will keep your show rooms busy. JUST DO IT!.
01/25, 7:59 AM
posted by:
Jacflash
Guys, the arguments around the Yaris are good arguments for the Fiesta, which is Yaris-sized but a hell of a lot nicer to drive. I realize it’s hard to tell from photos, but the Ka is significantly smaller than a Yaris — it’s about the size of a Smart. It’s a SMALL car, and it’s not a great one — read Clarkson’s new review of it in The Times to see what I mean. I don’t think the time is right to bring this thing to America.
02/10, 6:07 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
From time to time, I see a ka with Mexican plates.
I say bring it!
$4 gas is coming back.