Ford considers low-cost subcompact, Mulally says
 | Mulally: New model would be priced below the Fiesta. Photo credit: BLOOMBERG |
| Sponsored by |
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » |
Reprints
Print
Respond
AMSTERDAM -- Ford is considering adding a low-cost Fiesta-based subcompact to sell globally.
"We are looking around the world at opportunities to offer a car priced below the Fiesta," Ford CEO Alan Mulally told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of a company event here last week.
Mulally said the so-called value B model would be the same size as the Fiesta but cost less than Ford's top-selling model in Europe.
Mulally declined to say where the low-cost subcompact could be built if it is produced.
In Europe, Ford already offers a model that is smaller and cheaper than the Fiesta: the Ka minicar that Fiat builds under contract in Poland. The Ka is based on the Fiat 500 platform. Minicars such as the Ka usually are not considered good candidates to become global cars because their small size does not appeal to buyers in all markets. Mulally, however, believes that even Ford's minicars could be sold worldwide
"We do not have a firm plan at the moment" for a global sub-B model, Mulally said, "but clearly being competitive in every market segment is important."
He added that costs for any low-cost Ford would be kept down by using a global architecture and sourcing parts worldwide.
Despite its interest in making a low-cost B-segment car, Mulally said Ford is not planning to create a separate low-cost vehicle brand to rival Renault's Dacia.
He said: "The eventual model will bear the blue oval."
You can reach Luca Ciferri at lciferri@crain.com.
