This new minicar from Ford shows us just how important the Chinese market has become. The Ford Start compact will go after the fast growing minicar segment in China that the Blue Oval needs to play a larger role to be a major player in China.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Ford said Thursday it plans to build what may be its first-ever three-cylinder engine for a car in China and is showing the engine in a concept car called the Ford Start at the Beijing Auto Show.

The Ford Start showcases a 1.0-liter, direct-injection, turbocharged engine that Ford said it plans to begin building in the “near future.”

Eventually, Ford expects to introduce the engine, which will be part of Ford’s EcoBoost engine family, in all regions, including the U.S., said Ford spokesman Mark Schirmer.

Read the full article here.