Ford to Sell 56 MPG Diesel-Propelled Ka in Europe and Elsewhere, but Not the U.S.
By Scott Doggett September 9, 2008
We've been writing about some wonderfully fuel-efficient vehicles lately that won't be available in the U.S., among them the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, Honda's Fit Hybrid and Volkswagen's Golf BlueMotion Diesel.
Now we're pained to report that Ford today announced that it will be manufacturing a diesel-powered KA that will achieve an estimated 56 miles per gallon -- and it won't be coming to America, either. Same deal with the second-generation gasoline-propelled Ka.
As Ford spokesman Alan Hall told us: "It is a product in our global product portfolio, so it is something that we have access to as we continue to monitor the marketplace, but we do not have plans at the moment."
We can blame the weak dollar for that. And we can blame the economic policies of the Bush administration for the weak dollar.
Back to the Ka, the gas engine will be a 1.2-liter 69 horsepower unit achieving 60.3 mpg while the Ka gets a diesel for first time with a 1.3-liter unit generating 75 horsepower.
The gas engine reduces fuel consumption by 21 percent compared to 1.3-liter unit in the first-generation Ka.
Scott Doggett, Contributor
LEAVE A COMMENT
The diesel gets 56mpg and the gas gets 60.3mpg? The article says the diesel gets better than the gas (which makes sense). This car would have to meet Tier2Bin5 to be sold in the CARB states, which now account for 1/3 of the US population. To meet emisions in the other states, it would have to meet Tier2Bin8. Current EuroV emissions that this car is designed for are less stringent than both Bin 8 and Bin 5 in NOx, so it couldn't be sold anywhere without additional emissions equipment. That's the par Ford is not willing to do. A lot of research and investment for a very small US market. With the 2014 EuroVI NOx levels, this car could be sold in non-CARB states (which Ford is not willing to do, not with only 2/3 of the market represented), but would still not meet Bin5 NOx.
ADD A COMMENT