In the spotlight: The Ford Ka

The new Ka is the successor of a vehicle that has been in production for the last 12 years, and whose total output has amounted to over 1.4 million. In the first eight months of the year alone, 35,700 older-model Kas were sold throughout Western Europe. Now the designers of the new model hope it will replicate that success.

Production of the new model in Tychy is the result of a deal between Ford and Fiat that was struck three years ago. Fiat currently builds its Fiat 500 at the same plant and both companies' vehicles will share some of the same components. The cars, however, will be very different in their appearances and characters, so the cooperation should be a "win-win" opportunity for both Ford and Fiat, Ian Slater, vice president of communications and public affairs at Ford of Europe, recently stated.

The investment has already cost Ford €120 (zł.404.4) million. That money was spent on a new, environmentally friendly paint shop, as well as other things, and the investment has led to the creation of an extra 1,000 jobs in the Tychy plant. Engines for the vehicle will be produced at the Fiat Powertrain plant in Bielsko-Biała.

The new Ford Ka will be officially presented to the public this week at an auto show in Paris and sales are expected to be launched at the beginning of next year. The car will be featured in the next James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, in which it will be driven by Ukrainian actress Olga Kurylenko.