Ford Readies Next-Generation Ka Minicar for Europe

Ford Motor Co. says it will “soon” reveal more information about the European launch date for its revamped Ka entry-level car.

European production of the current Ka, a three-door hatch, will end in April, according to the Warsaw Business Journal. The car shares its platform with the Fiat 500 minicar and is being assembled by a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV factory in Tychy, Poland.

The next-generation Ka went into production in Brazil and India (where it is marketed as the Figo) more than a year ago. The new model rides on Ford’s “global B” platform, which also carries Ford’s Fiesta supermini.

Ford has described the new Ka as critical to its plan to hike global sales to 8 million units by 2017. It isn’t clear where the European version will be produced.

European demand for the three-door Ka fell 8% to 48,600 units in 2015, according to Automotive News Europe. That volume compares with sales of more than 180,000 Fiat 500 minicars in the same period.