The majority of the first production run of the Ford Focus – all five-door models – are destined for UK dealerships in time for the market's March registration plate change.

March produces one of the largest sales months of the year in Europe. Over 70 per cent of the cars being shipped to the UK are high-series Titanium models.

"Now that the first all-new Focus models have left the Saarlouis plant on schedule deliveries to the wider European market will soar,” said Horst Ritze, Ford's material planning and logistics manager.

“We currently have 12,000 cars in the pipeline for release to markets across Europe."

The all-new Focus will be sold in 120 markets around the world.

In addition to Saarlouis, the model is also currently in production in Michigan, USA. Production commences in Ford’s St. Petersburg plant in Russia later this year.