FORD Motor Co is adding six European small cars to its North American lineup as the second-largest US car maker adapts to 'rapid changes' in demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Two sports utility vehicle plants in Michigan and Kentucky will be converted starting in December to build the models, Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford said yesterday.

The moves are Ford's third step in two months to respond to falling sales of the sports utility vehicles, pickups and vans that made up 63 percent of its first-half US sales. Ford cut truck production in June and said in May it would assemble the Fiesta compact at an F-Series pickup plant in Mexico.

The actions represent a considerable shift in Ford's product plans.