Kas and Coffee at Ford's Premier Automotive Group
2010 Ford Ka - Click above for high-res image gallery
Look what we spotted at the weekly Cars & Coffee gathering today in Irvine. Right there amidst the Cobras, Ferraris, Ariel Atoms and Toyota 2000GTs sat a perfectly ordinary looking 2009 Ford Ka. Well, it was an ordinary 2009 Ford Ka, but its presence in California was rather surprising. After all, Ford hasn't said that they are going to be bringing this European COTY nominee to these shores any time soon.Does this add credence to the notion that this little Fiat 500 platform-mate might be headed Stateside or is it just a typical example of models from other markets getting passed around to U.S. operations for a little looky-loo? Ford reps on hand were tight-lipped, but we did hear one mention the "Mazda1" in passing. Since Mazda shares the parking lot with Ford at this site, it's possible Mazda was taking a closer look at it as well.
Whatever the official line, we noticed quite a few show-goers giving it appreciative glances. While some were lamenting the time when these tiny European shuttles might be mandated as replacements for their high horsepower sports cars, others seemed to admire the lines and packaging, especially when price and gas mileage came up. If the special editions are part of the deal, we say bring 'em over! Whatever Ford decides to do with this little Ka, we'll try to keep you posted. Until then, check out our gallery below.
Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka at Cars & Coffee
Photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
MajorGeek 11:07PM (8/29/2009)
Honey, I shrunk the Focus.
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Matt (that likes ford) 9:08AM (8/30/2009)
The one in Dallas this weekend was pretty amazing too.
A guy almost totalled his Copperhead Viper.
And we had multiple rediculous fly-bys of well over 100 mph.
Murci's, Stradales, Lingenfelters galore.....
Quite a sight!
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Matt (that likes ford) 9:09AM (8/30/2009)
Oh yeah, there was an F50 too.....
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zamafir 12:34PM (8/30/2009)
there's always an f50 @ cnc, and 100mph fly byes are normal on socal freeways :D
Matt (that likes ford) 2:23PM (8/30/2009)
lol this was the first F50 at the Dallas CnC though.....
and those 100 mph flybys are ridiculously entertaining!
P.V. 9:19AM (8/30/2009)
I wouldn't mind [cough] (REALLY WANT) [/cough] seeing it here soon.
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P.V. 9:19AM (8/30/2009)
No comment (no pun intended) - it disappeared!
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Fosterdad 9:41AM (8/30/2009)
Since the Ka is based on the Fiat 500, won't Fiat's merger with Chrysler cause a problem for Ford trying to see the Ka in the States?
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Farmboy 11:44AM (8/30/2009)
Not necessarily. Remember, Chrysler sells in Europe too. It might throw a loop or two but nothing serious. Ford will probably work on a platform (most likely with the help of Mazda) to be used on future Kas/
Mattias 3:43PM (8/30/2009)
No, it won't. No problem for FIAT and no problem for FORD. FIAT is a relatively small player with a strong position in light utility vehicles and small cars. So they tie up alliances everywhere, even if partners are in bed with other manufacturers. Since those partners are mostly as well highly specialized manufacturers they do not seem to care. Some examples:
* The SEVEL alliance with PSA to build vans of different sizes. The large platform was developed by FIAT, the medium platform by Peugeot and the small platform again by FIAT. Same with the engines used: large diesels (SOFIM from FIAT), slighly smaller diesels by PSA and for the small diesel (1.3 or 1.4l) everyone takes it's own diesel
* SOFIM diesel engines are sold to Renault and even GM uses them in some Euro delivery vehicles, even the direct competition to the large SEVEL van (Renault Master) uses the SOFIM diesel
* Platform and plant sharing for the FORD Ka
* Diesel engine sharing with GM (the 1.3l used in the Corsa -- and the Ka)
On the other hand, Ford shares engines with PSA, some of these engines are also shared with BMW. So here in Europe everybody is in bed with everybody else. Just Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen do not want to play with all the others (OK, Mercedes Benz seems to fall in love with Renault and they just agreed to deliver OM651 diesels for Chrysler, but this is a different story)
NudeLove93 9:42AM (8/30/2009)
Although it is not exactly related, yesterday I saw a Ford Transit, and it looked really dirty and scratched up, as if the owner had it for a while.
Then again, I was in Hazleton, PA cleaning out my dead great uncle's house, and everything in that town is dirty and in crap condition. Maybe he just wanted to fit in...
.
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Fosterdad 9:43AM (8/30/2009)
Since the Ka is based on the Fiat 500, won't Fiat's merger with Chysler cause problems for Ford trying to sell the Ka in the US?
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Smegley 9:50AM (8/30/2009)
Not sure if this is a big thing to be making assumptions from. I've seen Ka's on the road in the USA a few times, in Cal thru Texas, and they all had south of the border plates.
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zamafir 12:37PM (8/30/2009)
Yup, living in the same area I see all sorts of 500s, bmw 1 series 5 doors, polos, etc etc. What you don't see coming up from mexico are european plated cars... mexico not being europe. That's what's special.
I did see a ton of these in germany, nice little cars, i prefer the look of the new polo (more refined, a little higher quality feeling) but this thing would do very well over here priced appropriately, give those chevy aveo buyers something real to drive.
LankySean 10:05AM (8/30/2009)
Jesus Ford, calm down with all these awesome little cars, you're gonna bankrupt me.
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HotRodzNKustoms 10:05AM (8/30/2009)
I've seen Ford Ka's hidden in the secure parking garage a couple of times. Never figured it to be anything out of the ordinary because we are at the PAG/Mazda buildings.
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leitplanke 10:05AM (8/30/2009)
The fakt that Fiat merged with Chrysler should be a help for the KA to get on the US. market. Fiat and Ford could share a plant to build them both just like they do in Europe.
Thats what I hope at least.
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JDM Life 10:19AM (8/30/2009)
Toyota 2000GTs.............sweet.
Who cares about this I wanna see one of those. This Ford is just goin to fill up rental parkign lots.
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merlot066 11:07AM (8/30/2009)
You mean like how Camrys are replacing the old Tauruses? SNAP!
JDM Life 12:53PM (8/30/2009)
umm nope there plenty of New & OLD Tauruses round.