The financial conflagration which started in the US has spread around the world. Bloomberg tells us that in the UK “despite an easing in prices at the gas pump, sales of new cars in September tumbled, falling 21.2% from the same month a year ago. That was even worse than August, when sales were down 18.6%.” Porsches are apparently the SUV’s twin sister over there with a 33.3% sales plunge. But apparently the UK’s art market is strong: “Stuart McCullough, board member for sales and marketing at Bentley said in an interview last week that some customers were putting off delivery because they didn’t want to make such a lavish and visible purchase when many consumers faced tougher times. ‘We are seeing buyers not taking delivery of our cars, but continuing to invest in the art market’, he said.” You do have to wonder how Sir Stuart knows this. Do his customers invite him into their homes for private showings of their art? Perhaps he will find a still hot selling Smart Car mounted on a pedestal as an object d’ art.

Contrary to previous reports, the Ford Ka might be coming to North America. Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford has confirmed that the company is considering bringing the sub-compact over.

The Ford Ka is smaller than the Mini. It is roughly the size of a Smart car, except less expensive. It has never been introduced in North America, but has been selling in Europe in great numbers over the past few years.

The Ka is very comparable in size to the Ford Aspire or the Ford Festiva. Small, nimble, good on gas and easy to park. What else do you need in downtown traffic?

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