Comments on: Ford May Bring Ka Small Car to U.S.

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:18:05 +0000

@MBella
The Ka is a City Car (ie. Smart, iQ)

The Smart is 3 feet shorter than the Ka, the iQ is still 2 feet shorter. Comparing the Ka to the Smart would be like saying an Aveo is roughly the size of a Mercedes S-Class.
Size-wise, the closest thing to the Ka on the US market now is the Mini.

@Robstar
Is this the same as the Ka offered in Brazil? I can’t see the picture due to being at work.

No, the Brazilian Ka is a different beast.
Mk1 European Ka: Based on shortened mid-90s Fiesta platform
Mk2 European Ka: Based on Fiat 500/Panda platform
Brazilian Ka: Based on shortened last-gen Fiesta platform

By: DeanMTL

DeanMTL — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:48:45 +0000

Those commercials for the SportKa are downright evil…love them

By: shaker

shaker — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:56:44 +0000

No, I think the “fear and loathing of SUV’s” is not necessarily misplaced; to a cellphone-blabbing soccer-mama in an Expedition, a Ka might appear to be as insignificant in the visual field as a motorcycle – and there are many fatalities of motorcycle riders where the person who made the left turn in front of them made the claim that “I didn’t see him”. Bike’s headlight being on in daytime, too.

By: Robstar

Robstar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:46:55 +0000

Buzzdog> You have to remember most people dont’ know how to row their own gears….

By: yankinwaoz

yankinwaoz — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:59:37 +0000

This could be fun for calls in to Car Talk. It could be a “Who’s on First?” routine.

Caller: “Hello. I’m having a problem with my Ford.”
Tommy: “What make is it?”
Caller: “A Ford Ka”
Tommy: “What kind of Ka?”
Caller: “A Ford”
Tommy: “A Ford what?”
Caller: “A Ford Ka”
Tommy: “I know it is a Ford Ka. What model is it?”
Caller: “A Ka”
Tommy: “Not type… the model. Like Taurus or something”.
Caller: “It’s a 2008 Ford Ka”.
Tommy: “I know.. what what Ford Ka is it?”
… and continue ad nauseum.

By: BuzzDog

BuzzDog — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:43:19 +0000

THANK YOU, krhodes1! I’m so sick of this “I’m going to get killed driving a small car with SUVs on the road” crap. Few of us can count a family member that has been flat-out killed in a automobile accident in the first place. A larger car is NOT a substitute for denfensive driving, which saves countless more lives than driving an oversized vehicle.

And don’t get me started on the people who say, “I need an overpowered engine so I (or my wife) can merge onto the freeway safely.” For cryin’ out loud, learn how to use an onramp properly!

Okay, that’s all my ranting for today, folks…

By: Johnster

Johnster — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:40:49 +0000

The Ford Ka commercials reminded me of the similar one about the Mazda 3 and a dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=850T-wgG-8Q

It’s not as violent as the Ford Ka, but the Mazda 3 still manages to defend itself.

By: krhodes1

krhodes1 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:27:26 +0000

To all those people saying they would be SCARED to drive a Ka due to all the big, bad, trucks and SUVs out there – grow a pair, will ya! How on Earth did folks get by 25-30 years ago driving Toyota Corollas and VW Rabbits around? Typical American cars back then were just about as big and heavy as todays trucks and SUVs, and the little cars were a whole LOT less safe.

I certainly have no fear at all driving my ‘74 Triumph Spitfire around, and that makes a Ka seem like an S-class Mercedes by comparison. The trick is, pay attention to what you and those around you are doing and don’t hit anything!

By: John Horner

John Horner — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:56:16 +0000

“Is this the same as the Ka offered in Brazil?”

Ford is talking about the next generation 2009 Ka which is rolling out next year and shares a platform with the latest Fiat 500. Initial production is to be in Poland on a line shared with Fiat. Jalopnik has photos, etc. here:

http://jalopnik.com/394184/2009-ford-ka-revealed

Isn’t it interesting how GM paid $2B to get out of it’s marriage to Fiat, and now Fiat is doing quite well indeed?

By: pleiter

pleiter — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:27:15 +0000

In your scenario, where gasoline prices drive the Ka to U.S. market, SUV’s will not be a threat, they will be beached.

By: cmus

cmus — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:21:07 +0000

Quasimondo:
“I thought you folks would be cheering this development. Reversing the trend of gargantuan SUV’s is a good thing, isn’t it?”

Yes, but…
It is a valid consideration that bringing in alot of these really tiny city cars too fast may cause a problem because the big SUVs are still out there.

My commute is 25mi. each way down 1 road (basically a straight line) with the average commute speed being about 70-75MPH in moderate traffic. The Smart Car, and this Ka, were not really designed with that in mind.

Lots of Tahoes and Excursions and Ford F-350 Super Duties going 60+MPH. That would make me nervous in a really tiny car. Oh wait, I drive a 2004 xB. Never mind then :)

By: Frayed Knot

Frayed Knot — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:05:18 +0000

Huh. I don’t see what the big deal is. Here in New England, we have tons of “Ka”s.

By: shaker

shaker — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:43:18 +0000

Sajeev Mehta : “I’ll take two. (ka ka)”

do… do!

Which is what you’ll “do” in your pants driving this little guy in a sea of SUV’s.

Still, my neighborhood is abundant with feral cats…

By: Robstar

Robstar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:27:45 +0000

Is this the same as the Ka offered in Brazil? I can’t see the picture due to being at work.

The Brazillian ka is one of the ugliest cars ever.

By: BlueEr03

BlueEr03 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:23:04 +0000

A nice looking, 2-door hatchback; what’s not to like? Although is it just me, or does the grill look like it is wearing braces?

By: John Horner

John Horner — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:24:35 +0000

If I lived in a city and drove a car I would be ready for something the size of a Ka, but for me the problem is that in our rural/suburban area the roads are clogged with trucks and SUVs which are often driven by distracted idiots. Many of these are lifted and riding on monster wheels, which only adds to the terror of sharing the road with them.

I’m down with being efficient, but I’m not willing to lose my life for it. Driving in Ireland this past summer was a pleasure in part because most of the vehicles on the road were small, smaller, and damned small. The Ford Mondeo we rented was far too big and next time I would go for a Golf/Focus size vehicle there.

By: changsta

changsta — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:45:11 +0000

I’m surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but wasn’t this new Ka developed along with the new Fiat 500? If the Ka is produced in America, it could possibly set the stage for Fiat’s return, starting with the 500!!! I really like the Fiat 500 Arbath… what a great looking, distinctive small car!

Fiat’s lineup of small cars is actually quite competitive in Europe, so maybe they are indeed plotting a return, which could be another reason Ford has suddenly had a change of heart.

By: Sajeev Mehta

Sajeev Mehta — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:33:10 +0000

I’ll take two. (ka ka)

By: TEXN3

TEXN3 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:24:33 +0000

I like the Ka, great little runabout for 2 people or commuter car.

I’d probably just take out the back seat and a make a nice flat floor with hidden compartments.

By: Stingray

Stingray — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:20:15 +0000

The 1st gen Ka was sold down here. Car is SMALL but cute and good looking.

I don’t like the looks of this one. Looks like a Fiesta, when the previous one was very distinctive.

By: Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:14:53 +0000

Thanks to CarShaek and MBella.

Ka = City Car (Smart, iQ) 3.6m = 142″
Fiesta = Sub-Compact (Fit, Yaris) 4.0m = 157″
Focus = Compact (Civic, Corolla) 4.4m = 173″

Personally I think it is great. This is what we need. Not longer, lower, wider, fatter, and thirstier.

By: Edward Niedermeyer

Edward Niedermeyer — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:51:49 +0000

OK, I’ll say it: I’m down with this. Ka is go!

BTW, has anyone else noticed how similar making sense of the Focus, Fiesta, Ka lineup is? Brings me back to the days of Explorer, Expedition, Excursion confusion. Good old Ford.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:46:40 +0000

I would buy one. There, simple and to the point. I spent some time with the previous generation Ka while in England a few years back. I loved it.

By: threeer

threeer — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:45:26 +0000

Actually wouldn’t mind seeing the Ka convertible over here…we need to develop a mind-set of embracing small, clever cars like this. Given that something like 85% of the cars I see each morning carry exactly one person (I’m guilty of this, as well), why not do it with smaller vehicles? Heck, even a Ka can be equipped to be a pretty funky and cool little ride. Better that than another craptastic Ram.

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:31:49 +0000

can someone enlighten us poor benighted Yanks as to what the differences between the Ka, the Fiesta, and the Focus, are?

Focus = Small
Fiesta = Smaller
Ka = Really small

I thought you folks would be cheering this development. Reversing the trend of gargantuan SUV’s is a good thing, isn’t it?