02-09-2006
From the moment that it was launched the Ford Ka created not only a new market sector but a new automotive design style too. With its "New Edge" design principles the Ka’s sweeping lines were continued inside the car and even at launch there was the option of CD player, air conditioning and power steering.

Now, a decade on, more than one million have been sold and demand is still healthy. Sales this year are on target for 36,000 despite the arrival in its sector of several newer competitors.

Andrea Cooper, Head of Design Knowledge at the Design Council, recently told the 4Car website that in design terms she could see a parallel between the Ka and the iPod. "When the iPod came out perceived wisdom stated that the public just wouldn't wear white headphones, whereas now that’s become such an iconic and distinctive feature. A big part of it (Ka) is that it’s got character and they (Ford) built in so many qualities which weren’t incorporated in previous small cars."

Special editions have played an important part in the appeal of Ka and reinforced its design chic. From the Sublime and Sun through to the sophisticated Silver, Black and Millennium, special edition models have offered additional equipment in a value package.

Ka has redefined the small city car sector by having a style and design quotient not often seen in a "peoples" car. Claude Lobo, the original chief designer of Ka, said that he wanted a car so strong in its appearance and thinking that it wouldn't need a mid-life facelift. This has proved to be the case and the exterior has not needed any changes in its lifetime. The Ka has seen many improvements to its specification, mechanics and new variants such as Sportka and Streetka. What has, however, remained constant is the strong character and design that has ensured its wide ranging and unique appeal.

Sales patterns reveal that Swansea and Glasgow are where you will see the most style lovers in their Kas. London is where the most Sportkas and Streetkas were sold, followed by Coventry. Tamworth is right up there with great Ka sales and some of the highest sales for Streetka and Sportka.

Ka owners choose moondust silver as their favourite colour, followed by panther black.

Britain's best-selling supermini, the Ford Ka, celebrates 10 years of success this month. A new Ka line-up arrives in showrooms across Britain, once again enhancing the range and specifications and offering great value. At £7,095, the entry model of the new line-up costs £255 less than the first Ka sold 10 years ago.

The new Ka line-up has seven models from the entry level Studio to the Sportka SE. Ka is popular with a diverse range of customers, from the student to the grandparent and so the range caters for many needs. The new line-up starts at £7,095 on-the-road for a Studio model, to £9,995 for the Sportka SE.

Mark Ovenden, marketing director, Ford of Britain said: "Today's Ka driver still loves the funky look of Ka but also wants more technology and luxury. We have added a higher specification to the mid-range models and greater value in the high-end models to cater for this.

"In its lifetime, Ka has gone from a basic runaround to the kind of car customers can personalise with everything from air conditioning to two tone leather trim. Price is a key consideration for the supermini car buyer and that's why value is the mainstay of the new models," he added.

Text and photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company