The New Ford Focus is off to a fast start in 2005. This year Ford's new best-selling car has reached sales of 100,000 across Europe. Together with last year's volume of 15,000 units, more than 115,000 new Focus models found their way to customers already. The most successful markets for Ford's new Focus in Europe continued to be Britain, Spain, Germany and Italy.

Initial production of the new Ford Focus began in autumn 2004 in Ford's Saarlouis, Germany plant. The plant in Valencia, Spain, began producing the new models in January of this year. Production of the new generation Focus in Ford's assembly plant in St Petersburg, Russia, is scheduled to begin in early summer. Sales of the new Ford Focus started in late 2004 in selected markets. Others followed in the early months of 2005.

With the launch of the new Focus station wagon in March, all four body styles (3-door, 5-door, 4-door and wagon) are available throughout Europe. "With the volume models now on sale, later this year we will launch the sporty Focus ST and next year we begin selling the Coupé Cabriolet version based on the Vignale concept," said Ford of Europe marketing, sales and service vice-president Geoff Polites.

With 3.2 million units sold in Europe since its launch in October 1998, the Focus is Ford's best-seller and one of Europe's most popular vehicles.

"The new Ford Focus is off to a flying start all over Europe, "added Polites. "More than any other car, it symbolises our aggressive pace of product development. Customers praise its dynamic new shape, its handling qualities, craftsmanship, premium feel and safety, qualities people have come to expect from Ford since the launch of the first generation Focus in 1998."