Ford Could Add Ka, EcoSport Production in Romania

Ford Motor Co. is studying plans to add production of its EcoSport mini-crossover vehicle and/or next-generation Ka minicar in Craiova, Romania, company sources tell the country’s Ziarul Financiar business daily.

Ford declines to comment. Two weeks ago it said it was close to announcing details about the upcoming European version of the reengineered Ka.

Europe’s current Ka shares its chassis with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Fiat 500 minicar. FCA assembles both of those models at its factory in Tychy, Poland, under a contract that will expire in April.

Ford already produces the EcoSport and new Ka in India and Brazil. The company's plant in Chennai currently supplies the EcoSport but not the new Ka to the European market. The two vehicles ride on Ford’s “global B” platform, which also carries the Ford Fiesta supermini.

The Craiova factory current makes the B-Max minivan. But the facility is operating well below its 300,000-unit annual capacity.