The Ford Focus’ claim to be Ireland’s most successful ever car gained extra currency today when sales surpassed the 100,000 mark. The milestone has been achieved in less than 13 years, making the Focus the fastest selling car in Irish motoring history.
First introduced in 1998, the Focus immediately won over the plaudits for its unprecedented handling and road behaviour; characteristics which have become synonymous with the Focus nameplate ever since. Now in its fifth incarnation, launched just last week, the Focus has twice won the Semperit Irish Car of the Year award, as voted by the Irish Motoring Writers Association, and also took the European Car of the Year accolade. In the years since its launch it has been a number one seller among the Irish driving public on 10 occasions.
“Alongside its enormous commercial success, Focus has been instrumental in revitalising the Ford brand in terms of excitement and styling but also reliability,” says Eddie Murphy, managing director of Ford Ireland. “This it achieved not for a specific customer segment, but across all demographics, from young to old, from family buyers to driving enthusiasts. It genuinely is the ultimate all-rounder.”
The Focus’ credentials are wide–ranging: Ireland’s first allergy-friendly car, first mass-produced biofuel car, and first in its class to have ESP as standard. At the same time the model has reached iconic status off-road, with no fewer than 36 World Rally Championship victories since 1999.
And it is apt that the 100,000 milestone is reached just when we are welcoming the latest Focus. The all-new model Focus has an entry level price of €20,825 ex-works. No doubt, Ford expect it to be another top-seller.
