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October 14, 2008
FORD'S SMALL CAR -- ALL-NEW FORD KA
All-new Ford Ka made its global debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Ford informs that it replaces the original Ka but retains all of the qualities which made the Ka brand popular - "compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality".
The new Ka has striking interior and exterior design, and according to Ford, "It is setting a new standard for affordable small cars. Practical, safe, cheap to run, and friendly to the environment."
Production of the all-new Ford Ka commences in the autumn of 2008, and the vehicle will go on sale in the UK in late 2008/early 2009.
The first volume production example of the new Ford Ka rolled off the production line at a special ceremony on September 25, in Tychy, Poland, 12 years after the original Ka was launched to great acclaim. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak was guest of honour at the ceremony. With sales due to begin across Europe from early next year, the new Ka was fully revealed to the public at the recent Paris Motor Show.
According to Ford, its designers have given the new Ka a fashionable, modern appearance based around the company's 'kinetic design' form language. A number of visual cues provide a connection to the original Ka, but with its distinctive face and chunky proportions the new model has its own unique character.
"It was three years ago that we reached agreement with Fiat to produce the new Ka here in Tychy," explained Ian Slater, vice-president communications and public affairs, Ford of Europe. "One of the strengths of this co-operation has been that both parties wanted to produce vehicles which would be very different in looks and character. I'm satisfied that in doing so, we've set up a 'win-win' opportunity for both companies."
Annual production of Ford Ka will be 120,000 units a year.
The highly-anticipated new James Bond adventure, 'Quantum of Solace', will feature a cameo appearance from Ford Ka. Ford's cheeky new small car will make its screen debut alongside the film's beautiful but feisty leading lady, Olga Kurylenko. Kurylenko plays Camille, a woman with her own personal mission and who quickly becomes an unlikely ally for Bond.
The new model is expected to continue the considerable success of the original Ford Ka, which is widely considered to be an automotive design icon. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, the Ka was praised for its exciting "New Edge" styling and class-leading driving dynamics.
According to Ford, throughout its 12-year life "the Ka has remained tremendously popular among small-car buyers, inspiring fierce loyalty from its owners. In total, Ka production has exceeded 1.4 million vehicles".
"We are very excited about the launch of the new Ka", said Roelant de Waard, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain. "The original has been a huge hit in the UK with a sales record of over 480,000 - 80 per cent of which have been to retail customers, and many of those first-time buyers. I'm confident that the latest design will prove just as big a hit", he added.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:20 AM | Link to this Post
