Ford Ka Concept Developed & Debuted in Brazil, Will Likely Start Production Next Year

The importance of South America to Ford Motor Company’s plans can be seen from the fact that chairman Bill Ford went to Brazil to introduce the Ka Concept, an entry level hatchback for urban consumers in Brazil and other global markets, particularly developing countries. FoMoCo says that the car was developed by Ford Brazil. Of course, the Ka Concept is a concept car in name only and when the production Ka arrives next year it should be very close to what was revealed this week. It’s also very similar to the small sedan whose spy shots TTAC featured recently that our sources tell us will be the Ka sedan.

Speaking at a ceremony at Ford’s Northeast Industrial Complex in Camaçari, Bill Ford said, “Ford has a long history in Brazil, bringing development, jobs and growth to the region. As an integral part of our global growth strategy, we are committed to bringing world-class products to Brazil and to helping the region create global vehicles for the rest of the world.”

Ford expects global demand for sub-B segment vehicles to grow to 6.2 million units by 2017, an increase of 35%, outpacing the expected overall industry growth rate by 12 percent.

“The Ford Ka Concept is aimed at customers in growth markets who want and expect more,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of The Americas for Ford Motor Company, who joined Bill Ford on the trip to South America that will include the centennial celebration of Ford’s operations in Argentina. “It will delight consumers with its sleek design, clever technology, attention-to-detail quality and superb craftsmanship. It also shows the continued importance of our South American design and engineering capabilities to serve markets around the world. It’s truly another global design and engineering milestone for Ford.”

The new Ka, according to Ford, will have best in class interior design with electronic features and craftmanship not normally found on “attainable” cars. The automaker says that the Ka also will have best in class air conditioning, an important feature for emerging markets since many of them have relatively warm climates. South America and South Asia are expected to make up 44% of the global sub-B compact vehicle segment by 2017.