We won’t be getting the manual version of the Ford Ka here. Photo Gallery
A lack of an automatic transmission has virtually scuttled plans to bring the cute little Ka to Australia.
However, Ford Australia boss, Marin Burela, has left the door ajar if a self-shifter becomes available.
"The fact is that 95 per cent of that market is automatic," he says.
"We don't have an auto in the Ka so that's the first problem. I'm not sure it would work (as a manual).
"I think what we'll do is see how we go with Fiesta first.
"Let's get some traction there and then we'll look at whether or not we need to complement Fiesta with anything underpinning it below the D segment."
Since taking the top job Burela has turned his focus on the light, small, medium and large car segments and believes there are opportunities to plug gaps.
A car like the new Fiesta-based B-Max, just announced in Europe, is one car that could fit into the local scene.
Ford of Europe has confirmed that production starts on the sporty B-Max wagon in Romania from 2010.
It will replace the slow-selling Fusion.
"I actually think Australia has an opportunity that hasn't been exploited," he says.
"If you look at the demographic changes and ageing population, one of the things that is missing is a stylish looking vehicle that gives you a high H-point with easy ingress/egress for older people.
"That actually doesn't exist."
Burela says older buyers are restricted to a big van or off-roader "but the other area in between could present an opportunity".
The Ka, which shares its underpinnings with the Fiat 500, was part of Burela's portfolio of European cars he was responsible for launching.
It's this car Burela thinks might have legs in Australia.
"It's an opportunity that has not been exploited here," he says.
"One of the things missing is a stylish bigger car with a high H-point (hip-point)."
Burela is also taking a close look at the local small car scene.
Like one of his predecessors, Tom Gorman, Burela has identified the Sydney metropolitan area as Ford's toughest market for Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo.
"In fact 50 per cent all car sales within the Sydney metro area are pretty much small to medium cars," he said.
"That's an area that we're not achieving the level of penetration that we'd like to and we're working with our dealers on how to change that dynamic.
"Some of it's driven by brand, some of it product offering and some of it's driven by way we actually go to market."
He says the Mondeo is "one of the best kept secrets".
"We have to get to work on how to make the Mondeo more relevant versus the Camry and the other competitors," he says.
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