US will welcome its small cars

Published: 22 Sep 2008 17:53:26 PST

Ford executive says research shows its line of small cars will be well received in US

DETROIT -- A top Ford Motor Co. executive says market research shows the company's coming line of global small cars will be well received in the U.S.

Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of global product development, says the European-designed Fiesta subcompact and Focus compact surpass competitors in acceptance of design as well as features and fuel economy.

Kuzak told reporters Monday night that research shows people will pay more for Ford's new well-designed small cars.

Making money on small cars is key to Ford's plan to make up revenue lost when the U.S. market shifted away from high profit trucks and sport utility vehicles.