Ka, please. Thank you.

In 2010 Ford will introduce Americans to it's Fiesta, a fuel-efficient sub-compact that has already proved wildly popular in the European market. This year Ford launched the Fiesta Movement, a chance to show Americans what the Fiesta was all about, how the car drives, and what it's capable of. If you want to learn more about that, you can ask Fiesta Agent 48, who just so happens to be my, erm, "e-wife", Jane.

The introduction of the gas-saving Fiesta is a smart move from Ford who endeared themselves to many Americans this year when they refused the federal bailouts that were accepted by the now bankrupt General Motors and Chrysler. As of June, Ford is the only of the "big three" under it's own control as Chrysler is soon to be in the hands of Italian auto giant Fiat, and if you're an American, you own 60% of GM, like it or not, and most of us don't. As a result of this in recent months some Americans have pledged that their next car purchase will most certainly be a Ford and the Fiesta gives those with modest budgets but ambitions of owning a new car a chance to do just that. However, Ford should take this one step further and bring it's tiny Ka stateside in 2011 to compliment the Fiesta.

Even though fuel prices have dropped since this time last year, when they were more easily compared to gold and silver than other liquids, they're still more than twice as high as they were ten years ago and wages, well, aren't. Because of this people are trying everything possible to save a dime here, a penny there, and a quarter somewhere else. One of the easiest ways to do this is to either drive less, or drive a more fuel-efficient automobile, and this is where cars like the Fiesta and Ka, and even slightly larger Focus, come into play. The Fiesta averages nearly 47 MPG while the Ka manages a stunning 56, even out dueling Toyota's vaunted Prius (note: I'm not bashing the Prius, it's a wonderful car in it's own rite). Plus, it's adorable.

Given it's small size safety is an obvious concern about the Ka. During the 2008 model's test by Euro NCAP the Ka managed decent, though far from spectacular, figures. These will probably need to be improved if the car is brought to America due to the larger prevalance of freeways and SUV-type vehicles.

Thus far Ford has done a commendable job of switching away from the gas-guzzlers that were the vogue of the high-flying, free-wheeling 90's, and it's ability to do so is a large reason why it's in such good condition compared with it's main domestic rivals today. But there is no reason why Ford can't keep going and push the American industry into a new frontier with it's fuel-saving, affordable, small cars. There will always be a special place for the F-150 in America's heart, and rightly so as it helped built this country and will continue to do so for many years, but Ford, and the American auto industry's, futures lie with the Ka, Fiesta and Focus, and because of that, the future looks bright.

Panda: More of a Jeep than the Compass

With Fiat taking control of Chrysler there is a lot of talk over which Fiat and Alfa Romeo models will make the jump stateside to likely be sold as Chryslers and Dodges, but there's also talk of one model making the jump as a Jeep: The Fiat Panda 4x4. The very mention of the name "Jeep Panda" is causing Jeep purists to roll their eyes, but after giving a closer look to both the current Jeep lineup and the Panda, I start to wonder why.

The current Jeep lineup features an SUV (which I won't call a Jeep) called the Compass. The Compass is the entry-level automobile for the Jeep brand, but it hardly deserves it's Jeep badge. The Compass is the first (and hopefully last) "Jeep" to not have a trail rating. Yes, despite Jeep's long, proud history of off-roading and comfort someone at Chrysler decided it would be a good idea to build an uncomfortable piece of crap without a trail rating...decisions like this caused the mess Chrysler finds itself in today.

While the Panda may not be American, or the most comfortable thing in the world (it's rather spartan inside) it does have the soul of a Jeep. The Panda is used by Alpine police forces to navigate the rough terrain they face on a daily basis. It's no Wrangler, but it beats the crap out of the Compass.

The Panda sells for rougly $14,900...very affordable and rougly $3,000-$10,000 less than the Compass. The Panda also gets 43 MPG compared to 24 for the Compass. Both seat five, and the Panda can readily venture off of paved roads.

The introduction of the Panda would not mean the end of the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee, and maybe not even the Liberty (which to me will always be called the Cherokee). The Panda would slot in as Jeep's entry-level offering and would only serve to strengthen the brand, not dilute it.

Most Jeep purists fondly remember the Comanche, a tough pickup truck that you could drive through a wall and it would keep going. The Comanche serves as a relic of a Jeep before it was Chyslerized. The Panda isn't the Comanche, but it could become a symbol of the moment when Jeep became Jeep again.