Ford Motor puts Ka on Asian shopping lists

By Neil McDonald

THE FORD Motor Co will release its cheeky new mini, the Ka, in Japan.

And the carmaker hopes the model, developed and produced in Europe for a world market, will also hit other Asian markets.

Initially though, Ford is hoping the Ka will carve out a larger share of the Japanese market, where General Motors and Chrysler are having difficulty establishing a foothold in the tough Japanese market.

When Ka did eventually appear on Southeast Asian roads, a vice president of Ford Australia, Richard Parry-Jones, said he hoped it would be offered with automatic transmission at "price competitive" prices.

Ford Australia plans to workshop the car and will also test public reaction at next year's Melbourne motor show.

Ford started production of the Ka in Spain in September and commenced European sales this month. The company also plans to produce the Ka in Brazil from 1997.

Spain, is a low-cost producer for Europe, is a more expensive source country than Brazil.

To keep the price down, Kas for both Asia and Australia could be sourced from Brazil.

Ford Australia would have to be sure the car would sell in large volumes because the Ka is expected to take over the entry- level role in the Ford family from the cheap and strong selling South Korean-made three-door Festiva.

Ka is to the Ford Fiesta what the Renault Twingo is to the Clio: an adventurous rebodied vehicle over proven mechanicals.

Ford has taken the Fiesta platform, slashed front and rear overhangs to reduce overall length by 210mm and designed a totally new and different three-door hatchback.

In Europe, the Ka is available with power steering, dual air bags, power windows, central locking, air conditioning and a CD player.

This makes it an obvious candidate for both the Australian and Southeast Asian light-car market.

Simplicity is the key to its design. It is sold in one body style only with one engine and two trim levels, Ka and Ka 2.

The engine is Ford's cast-iron overhead-valve 44kW 1300cc Endura E-four cylinder. While the torque engine is somewhat old tech, Ford has upgraded it with electronic multipoint fuel injection.

Ford engineers have developed a new three-point engine installation system that distributes loads within the front end structure, providing good insulation from power train noise, vibration and harshness.

Ford claims that while the engine is not new, it offers the right performance-economy compromise, offering 5.9 liters per 100km.

Safety has also not been forgotten.

Ford describes the Ka as offering one of the most complete safety packages of any car in its class.

For Europe, a driver's side air bag is standard and a passenger air bag optional.

Antilock brakes will be available from early next year.

Ka's front seat belts are height-adjustable and feature seat belt "grabbers" and antisubmarining front seat cushions as standard.

Ka's structure has been tested according to proposed European 1998 test procedures involving a 40 percent offset impact of 56kmh with a deformable honeycomb barrier on the driver's side.

Ford anticipates production to reach more than 200,000 vehicles a year, achieving a daily output of 1,100 cars a day after the initial startup phase.