Minogue, who recently topped the charts with her single Can't Get You Out of My Head, has also agreed to host the launch of Ford's StreetKa two-seat roadster later this year and is in negotiations with Ford on further terms of the 18-month tie-up. This could include product placement in music videos, further personal appearances at events and in ads.
The Kylie deal provides a counterpoint to Ford's long-running Destination Football and motorsport programmes, which have emphasised performance and reliability over style, with a heavy male bias.
Ford would not disclose the value of the deal, which was brokered by its marketing team along with music sponsorship consultancy Deighton Rowe.
The StreetKa is a limited-edition model designed to sell only a few thousand units per year. The car will make its debut at the Paris Auto Show next September, but does not go on sale until spring 2003.
Ford is currently renewing its small cars range, with a raft of updates, including Fiesta and Fusion models, planned for the coming year.
Ford's European division, while not immune to the plant closings and redundancies that have afflicted its US parent, has been among the company's strongest performers, with 2001 market share up 0.5% to 8.6% on sales of 1,564,571.
Ford tops UK car sales, with sales of 404,334 and market share of 16.44% in 2001, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
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