Ford produces one millionth 1.0 litre EcoBoost Focus

• Ford recently produced the one-millionth current generation Focus in Europe; Ford builds a new Focus every 90 seconds on average in Europe
• The one millionth Focus – a Candy Red five-door equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – rolled off the production line in Saarlouis, Germany.
• Since the first generation Focus was introduced in 1998, Ford has sold 1.63 million of the popular family cars in the UK, 6.9 million in Europe and more than 12 million worldwide.

Ford has recently produced the one-millionth current generation Ford Focus – the popular family-size car that has become the world’s best-selling vehicle – for the European market. The one-millionth Focus, a 1.0-litre EcoBoost hatchback, was manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany.

Ford has sold 1,632,700 Focus models in Britain since the first generation was introduced in 1998. It was the best-selling vehicle in the UK from 1999 to 2008, when it was superseded by the new Ford Fiesta, which has been the best-selling car since, with Focus in second place.

“The Focus is a great-to-drive family car with the versatility to suit the needs of a huge range of customers,” said Barb Samardzich, chief operating officer, Ford of Europe. “Last year, we launched the zero-emission Focus Electric to complete a full line-up that includes the 250PS Focus ST.”

Launched in Europe in 2010, the new Ford Focus is the best-selling nameplate globally, based on a Ford analysis of the latest Polk global vehicle registration data for the first half of 2013.

Ford is set to introduce a new version of the Focus this month, powered by the 2012 and 2013 International Engine of the Year, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. This new Ford Focus model will be the first petrol-powered family car in Europe to offer just 99g/km CO2 emissions.*

The Focus is available with technologies including Active Park Assist that uses ultra-sonic sensors to identify suitable parking spots and automatically steers the vehicle while the driver controls the gears, throttle and clutch; and Active City Stop, which scans the road ahead 50 times per second to help prevent collisions at speeds up to 15km/h, and helps reduce the severity of impacts at speeds at speeds of up to 30km/h.

If the vehicle is involved in an accident, Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance will directly connect the occupants to local emergency services. “Focus customers tell us they really value Ford’s smart technologies and appreciate the car’s safety, sportiness, styling, and comfort,” Samardzich said.

Ford introduced the Focus in 1998, since when the company has in total sold almost 6.9 million cars in Europe and 12 million worldwide.

Last of the current generation MINI Hatch leaves Plant Oxford.

• Over 1 million current MINI Hatch models built at Plant Oxford between 2006 – 2013
• 1,863,289 total MINI Hatch built since 2001
• 14% of all cars built in the UK last year were MINIs, and 14% exported were MINIs
• The new MINI Hatch production starts, with UK launch in Spring 2014

Having put a smile on over a million drivers’ faces across the globe, the last of the outgoing MINI Hatch drove off the production line at Plant Oxford today.

With production of the new MINI Hatch underway, associates at the brand’s historic Oxfordshire home took a moment to recognise their achievements in building a car which has formed the backbone of MINI’s burgeoning global growth.

1,041,412 of the outgoing MINI Hatch model have been produced at the high-tech facility, which has built more than 2.4 million MINI vehicles since 2001. 14% of all cars built in the UK last year were MINIs, and MINIs accounted for 14% of all UK vehicle exports in 2012.

When launched in 2006, the outgoing MINI Hatch saw the introduction of turbo charged engines and suspension enhancements which cemented MINI’s reputation for enthralling driving dynamics. With the introduction of MINIMALISM technologies, customers also benefited from improved fuel economy and performance in equal measure. MINI Connected appeared for the first time, setting the standard in the segment for infotainment and connectivity. This model also furthered MINI’s exciting and unique programme of customisation and personalisation, from bespoke roof designs to interior colour worlds, which has become synonymous with the MINI brand.

The New MINI Hatch is set to receive its UK launch in Spring 2014. Distinctly familiar, yet completely fresh from the ground up and enhanced in every single way, the new MINI Hatch features significant improvements in technology, engine efficiency and power delivery, driving dynamics, quality and – of course – personalisation.