January buyers help Ford lift the retail gloom

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has confirmed that Ford has started the new year exactly as it left 2004 – as market leader in new cars and commercial vehicles.

Ford dealers have pre-sold the 9,000-unit production allocated to the UK.

"Our production plants are now working flat out to catch up with customer demand for the new Focus," Paul Thomas, managing director, Ford of Britain, says.

"Fortunately we still have a limited supply of existing Focus models, but these are also selling fast." Over 60% of the initial UK production of the Fiesta ST - some 2,280 units have been sold.