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36 August 2018 | AutoData MARKET » LAUNCHES F or the first time the compacts of Ka and Gol families are availablewith an auto- matic transmission – the Ford model has never offered a gearbox with this characteristic before and the Volkswagen car had only the automatized transmission. For the Ka 2019 versions, formed by hatch, sedan, and the adventurous Fre- eStyle, the novelty represents a gift for the emancipation: 21 years in the Brazilian market. In the first half it got the third posi- tion of the podium of the Brazilian market with 48,2 thousand units sold, hatch and sedan added together. The optionwith automatic transmission is valid for all the range when equipped with 1.5 engine, inherited from the EcoS- port, with its three cylinders. Ford’s goal is clear: although it does not talk about numbers, the company wants to attract customers who choose Che- vrolet Onix and Hyundai HB20 today, the two market leaders that already offer the automatic transmission. Adriana Carradori adds: “About 70% of Ka’s sales mix is ha- tch. By offering the automatic transmission option we expect to increase the sales percentage of the sedan version”. By André Barros and Márcio Stéfani AUTOMATICALLY MORE COMPLETE COMPACTS Ford Ka and VW Gol families receive automatic transmission to combat Chevrolet Onix and Hyundai HB20. But a Brazilian transmission production is missing for both. Disclousure/Ford