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Find Used Ford cars for sale on model specific websites. Below is a list of dedicated Ford sites, simply click on the appropriate link below :- As seen On New sporty limited edition Ford Fiesta ST A special edition Ford Fiesta ST packed with extra equipment is set to thrill Fiesta fans across Britain. Priced from £15,000 and called ST 500, it will be limited to just 500 and will be distinguished by unique styling touches and extras. The Fiesta ST is renowned for its punchy 2.0-litre 150PS engine, sports-tuned steering, lowered and stiffened sports suspension and short-shift, close ratio gearbox which creates its exciting ride. The sporting heritage of the best Ford cars is carried on to this special edition with unique 'U'-shaped stripes; designed to echo the livery of the classic Escort RS2000 of the 1980s, and matching side livery. The Fiesta ST500's features include 17in 11-spoke black alloys, red brake callipers and carbon fibre pattern interior trim. The interior also features a Sony audio system and ebony leather heated seats. Special editions turn Fords latest small cars into best sellers Total of 5,800 small car special editions Four Fiesta special editions: Silver, Zetec S 30th Anniversary, Zetec S Celebration Zetec Blue special edition just released Fusion Pursuit Two Tone Ka just released Britain's best-selling small cars, the Ford Fiesta, Fusion and Ka, continue to top the sales charts boosted by an exciting line up of special editions during 2007 and a new edition to lead the sales charge into 2008. The 2007 line-up began with Fiesta Silver, a three door special with £550 of extras included in the £9,295 price tag. With a choice of three engines and three new colours it was a great way to start the New Year with 3,500 sold this year. Next came Fiesta Zetec S 30th Anniversary, a radian yellow, chequered roof, head-turner. Just 400 models were introduced to Britain at £12,595, including £1,400 worth of extra equipment. They are sold out. The success of the Zetec S 30th Anniversary encouraged the Ford Fiesta marketing team to introduce Celebration - 400 striking green models with the chequered roof and sporting look. Within two months of going on sale at £12,595, nearly half of them are already sold. The latest special edition, Fiesta Zetec Blue is based on a Style Climate model. Zetec Blue costs £200 more although its comprehensive list of standard features would normally add another £800 to the price. To date this year, Fiesta is Britain's best-selling small car with 98,891 sold. A steadfast sibling in the Ford small car line-up is Fusion which accounts for 15 per cent of its segment. The strong styling and extra equipment on 500 Pursuit special editions added to its appeal with 12,311 total sales so far this year. Ka is always reinventing itself and 2007 ends with the Ka Two-Tone. This exciting limited edition is available as a Style Climate or Zetec Climate with four body colours including the new blazer blue. The exterior colour palette combines with moondust silver bumpers and mirror housings for a retro look. 1,000 models hit the showrooms in November. Ford Ka has recorded 25,427 sales so far this year - almost 10,000 more than its nearest competitor. Ford Verve Concept to make debut at Frankfurt All eyes will be firmly focused on the Ford stand at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show when the manufacturer of the UK's best-loved small car takes the wraps off its vision for the future, - the Ford Verve Concept. Ford Verve Concept hints at the new design direction for future compact cars and the company plans to closely gauge public reaction while their designers work behind the scenes creating Ford's next supermini generation. The latest in a series of striking show stoppers, Ford Verve Concept follows in the footsteps of the Iosis and Iosis X, whose kinetic design philosophy inspired production models like the critically acclaimed new Mondeo and S-MAX. Martin Smith, Executive Director of Design for Ford of Europe, explained: "Bold, even radical, Ford Verve Concept demonstrates the potential of Ford's kinetic design philosophy to visualise a small car that is a chic and modern, and one that makes an individual statement for a sophisticated, fashion-aware generation." Bold and sporty, the front of the supermini is dominated by a large, inverted trapezoidal lower grille with the familiar Ford oval centred in the compact upper opening. Particularly eye-catching in deep magenta with a unique tinted clear coat finish, Ford Verve Concept's sleek lines, 18-inch alloys, panoramic glass roof and B-pillarless structure give it an elegant, coupe-like look. The visual splendour continues inside with a fresh and innovative approach to interior design that's been inspired by the latest mobile phones. Sensuous curves combine with clever technology to create a stylish but user-friendly environment. Ford's Convers+ system, which allows quick and easy access to all driver-operated functions, is central to the ergonomically excellent design. A large colour screen displays all essential information while every surrounding button and switch has been crafted with the kind of minute attention typically associated with larger, upmarket vehicles. "A new generation of buyers raised with mobile electronic devices would feel right at home in this new automotive interior, one that exceeds the standards typical in the small-car segment," said Niko Vidakovic, Chief Interior Designer, Ford of Europe. Taking its lead from the success of Ford's new S-MAX and latest Mondeo, the Verve Concept symbolises Ford's ambition to be a leader in small vehicle design by creating individual cars for individual customers. With elements of the Ford Verve Concept almost certain to appear in future production models, small car buyers have some exciting times ahead. Ford announces pricing on new Mondeo Prices for the all-new Ford Mondeo have been revealed today. They start at £14,995 (RRP on the road) for the Edge 1.6-litre 110PS five-door and rise to £24,195 for the 2.5T 220PS Titanium X estate. On average the new Mondeo is priced £300 below the outgoing equivalent models The all-new Ford Mondeo also benefits from £700 worth of added equipment across the range including: Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Thatcham Category 1 Alarm, ISOFIX child-seat fixings, steering wheel controls for the key vehicles technologies, driver's knee airbag, 'follow me home' lighting and unique to Ford - Easyfuel. This clever new feature prevents drivers putting petrol into a diesel powered car or vice-versa. It is estimated this accidental mis-fueling affects over 150,000 UK drivers every year. The Edge replaces the LX series and in addition to the new standard equipment, the Edge also boasts - air-conditioning, cruise control, leather steering wheel, CD stereo with MP3 connection socket seven air-bags, ABS with Electronic Brake Assist (EBA), power front windows, remote central locking, quick clear heated front windscreen, power and heated door mirrors. Zetec prices range from £16,695 for the 1.6-litre 125PS saloon and hatchback to £20,745 for the 2.0-litre TDCi 130PS estate. Over the Edge's specification the Zetec adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, air conditioning with dual EATC, leather gear knob and power rear windows with global window open/close. The most popular derivative is expected to be a Zetec five-door 140PS TDCi diesel which will be priced at £18,395. Ghia prices range from £18,445 for the 2.0-litre 145PS saloon to £22,195 for the 2.5 220PS estate. The Ghia is a statement of classic luxury with a host of premium features over the Zetec including 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, power fold door mirrors, a Sony stereo with six CD in-dash auto-changer and 'submarine' lighting. At the top of the range the Titanium X series emphasises modern technology with a contemporary interior including full Alcantara/leather trim. The Titanium X also offers Ford Power start button, adaptive front lighting with cornering lights, blue tinted glass and the new Ford Convers+ premium instrument cluster with a 256 colour display - Ford's signature HMI technology. Prices for the Titanium X range from £21,245 for the 1.8-litre TDCi 125PS five-door to £24,195 for the 2.5 220PS estate. The option list is also extensive, allowing complete personalisation of the car. Key options include full screen satellite navigation, tyre pressure monitoring system, sport suspension, integral rear child seats, and a sliding load-floor on the estate with a maximum load capacity of 200kg, front and rear parking sensors and rear seat DVD entertainment with integrated head-rest screens. One further significant option for the all-new Ford Mondeo is Bluetooth with voice control; this allows a driver to stay in complete control of the car while accessing a mobile phone. This system also allows drivers to change the temperature control and audio settings via voice commands, and this option is available for only £150. The all-new Mondeo is available to order from March - three months ahead of its launch date. Ford S-MAX voted Car of the Year 2007 The Car of the Year is an international award, judged by a panel of 58 top motoring journalists from 22 European countries. Its objective is to acclaim the most outstanding new car to go on sale in the 12 months preceding the date of the title. It is organized by a group of seven leading European publications: Auto (Italy), Autocar (Great Britain), Autopista (Spain), Auto Visie (Holland), L'Automobile Magazine (France), Stern (Germany), and Vi Bilagare (Sweden). The Ford S-MAX was declared the winner following a closely fought competition in which 41 contenders for the award were reduced to a shortlist of just eight - the Citroen C4 Picasso, Fiat Grande Punto, Ford S-MAX, Honda Civic, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 207, Skoda Roomster and Volvo C30. We are absolutely delighted that this all-new model in the Ford range has secured the ultimate accolade as Car of the Year, especially against such worthy competitors and in a year that has seen a record number of eligible contenders, said Roelant de Waard, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain. Since we launched S-MAX earlier this year, we have been amazed at the reaction to the car, both from the opinion forming media as well as our customers. This award confirms what we dared to believe - that Ford S-MAX is different, and creates a new vehicle segment in which elements of a sports car and a multi-activity vehicle combine together to deliver a dynamic and stylish family vehicle that you really want to own, he added. Commenting on the award, Ray Hutton, the President of the Car of the Year jury said: This was a very close contest with all eight of the finalists deserving a place on the shortlist. It is clear from the voting that the jury is impressed by the concept of the Ford S-MAX: a spacious and versatile car that drives like a sports saloon. Its victory is well-deserved. With UK sales of over 4,000 since its launch in June and with the order bank still growing, S-MAX is proving a huge hit with UK customers. Data from sales so far indicates that over 50 per cent of vehicles being sold are top specification, Titanium models and that a similar percentage are being sold to customers who are new to Ford. Available in LX, Zetec and Titanium variants, S-MAX shares the latest technology with the all-new Ford Galaxy including new safety systems with optional Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) and an optional active suspension system. Both vehicles boast a maximum five star Euro NCAP rating. It is also the first production Ford vehicle to feature elements of Ford's kinetic design language. Sporty styling expresses energy in motion, emphasizing Ford's dynamic driving capabilities in a more overt way. We are very excited about the reaction to our kinetic design form language, said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's Executive Director of Design. The Car of the Year award for S-MAX proves we're on the right track with our invitation to customers to 'Feel the Difference' and our commitment to broaden the appeal of Ford's future European vehicles beyond the rational and into the emotional. Ford and 'Car of the Year' The 2007 award for Ford S-MAX marks Ford of Europe's fifth Car of the Year win, with the original Ford Focus last collecting the award in 1999. The Ford Focus set new standards in its class, and won by one of the biggest margins in the award's 44-year history. Ford also won the title in 1993 with the first generation Ford Mondeo, in 1985 with the Ford Scorpio, and in 1981 with the Ford Escort. Paris preview for all-new 2007 Ford Mondeo The all-new Ford Mondeo makes its world debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show between September 30 and October 15. Ford of Europe's stylish new flagship model is being previewed in its wagon bodystyle in near production specification, with launch scheduled across Europe from the second quarter of 2007. The new Mondeo is critical to the Ford of Europe business, said John Fleming, President and CEO of Ford of Europe. The Ford Mondeo has always been a major player in the European CD segment, and with over four million owners looking for us to deliver something special, we have every intention of meeting their significant expectations with this all-new model. New Mondeo will follow and build on the success of the new Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy models, both of which have been launched to media and customer acclaim during 2006. To meet customer needs and wants, the 2007 Mondeo will deliver more comfort, more space, and more premium quality features, while remaining affordable. Benefiting from Ford's 'Shared Technologies' initiative, new Mondeo shares much of its architecture and technology with S-MAX and Galaxy, as well as a production line. New Mondeo completes a €715 million investment that has modernised Ford's Genk plant in Belgium and transformed it into a world-class, flexible manufacturing facility. From early 2007, new Mondeo bodystyles will join S-MAX and new Galaxy on the same assembly lines using common architectures and technologies. This gives the company tremendous flexibility and manufacturing efficiency to respond to market demands and fluctuations. Genk also plays an increasingly important role in the global Ford business. Ford of Europe continues to strengthen its role as the developer of high quality vehicles like the new Mondeo which are targeted not just at Europe, but also at the Asia Pacific and African markets. New Mondeo has also been developed in line with Ford's Product Sustainability Index. PSI provides a basis for permanent evaluation and improved sustainability performance for new generations of vehicles across environmental, social and economic areas. This holistic approach to product development is an industry first, with the new S-MAX and Galaxy being the pioneer vehicles created with PSI. New Mondeo Design - Energy in Motion The new Mondeo is striking and unmistakably a member of the Ford family. It takes the company's 'kinetic design' form language to a new level. A comprehensive range of core bodystyles will be launched concurrently in the new range, but the Ford of Europe design team has chosen the new wagon as its Paris hero. The wagon bodystyle is very important in the CD segment so it is appropriate that we show this derivative in Paris first, said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's Design Director. The new Mondeo's wagon bodystyle really emphasizes the sporty, dynamic and premium appearance of the new range, added Smith. Above all, we've managed to achieve this kinetic look without compromising luggage capacity. I believe new Mondeo will challenge everyone's perceptions of a big Ford car, and prove that we can once again deliver style with substance in a desirable form. The new Mondeo clearly demonstrates how Ford of Europe's 'kinetic design' language is shaping the company's new models. This form language will be progressively applied to future Ford vehicles in an appropriate way, depending on individual vehicle or market segment tastes. The new Mondeo range will incorporate all of the key 'kinetic design' elements: · Dynamic lines and a three-plane plan front-end view · Full surfaces · Strong shoulders · Bold wheel lips · A rising belt line · A distinctive kick-up of the window graphic at the C-pillar With the purest expression of 'kinetic design' revealed in the Ford iosis Concept at Frankfurt 2005, we then introduced the first elements into volume production on the new S-MAX and Galaxy, Smith added. Now, the new Mondeo takes the next major step along our journey towards a more expressive and emotional Ford range. Immediately evident in the new model's appearance is the distinctive front end, with its chamfered corners and the deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. Seen from above, the three-plane plan view of the frontal area is immediately obvious, and a key visual link between the new Mondeo and the 2005 iosis Concept vehicle, emphasizing their proportional relationship. The new family face of Ford is further represented at the front end by a premium-feel, large upper grille opening, and an inverted trapezoidal lower grille. Large and distinctive headlamps and lower foglamps are a key design element, and draw the eye around the chamfered corners, neatly disguising the volume required to meet the latest pedestrian protection requirements. A muscular shoulder line runs through the side of the car to a high point at the rear. This produces a dynamic window graphic when the so-called daylight opening (DLO) is viewed in profile, and an upward kick at the rear of the DLO further emphasizes the feeling of motion. Distinctive rear lamps also feature carefully designed graphics that enhance the overall feeling of premium quality. A strong undercut line runs from the bold front wing wheel lips through the side of the car. Under this, full surfacing extends down to strong rocker panels to ensure the vehicle maintains a dynamic road presence. The undercut and full surfaces are key graphic elements of 'kinetic design' and are already becoming familiar as new S-MAX and Galaxy become more visible on European roads. 'Kinetic design' themes are carried through to the all-new interior, which features high quality surfaces, materials and finishes. Here, dynamic lines and full surfaces are again evident, and the low profile instrument panel provides very generous cabin space for front seat occupants. The flow-through centre console allows the gear shifter to be located high and within easy ergonomic reach of the driver. The design team has also paid great attention to interior detailing, and examples of this include new generation infotainment systems, plus the next generation of Ford's Human Machine Interface (HMI). This easy to use system features the same steering-wheel toggle switches seen on new Galaxy and S-MAX, but introduces the availability of a large central LCD screen with full colour graphics situated between the main analogue instruments in front of the driver. Rear seat headroom and legroom have also come in for scrutiny by the Mondeo development team, and these have been maximized for occupant comfort and safety. New Mondeo will deliver premium levels of comfort in a class-leading package, says Steve Adams, Ford's Vehicle Line Director for Large Cars. You can also expect innovative and top-of-the-range new technology features, particularly those aimed at assisting and pampering the driver. New Technology Combined with Driving Quality The 2007 Mondeo range will feature many of the new technologies seen on Ford S-MAX and Galaxy, and also introduce some new features unique to the new model. The Ford team is also determined to ensure that new Mondeo will maintain its position as the best CD car for driving quality, with superior driving dynamics, and targeting best-in-class steering, ride and handling. A wide range of dependable Ford powertrains will be offered, from the powerful and well-proven Ford Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi diesel and a high-performance 2.5-litre turbocharged Duratec petrol engine derived from that fitted to the new S-MAX, to efficient 1.6-litre Duratec petrol and 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines with outstanding fuel economy. Full series information, technical specifications and data for the new Mondeo range will be revealed early in 2007. The new Mondeo Wagon we are previewing at Paris is aimed at preparing our customers for the most exciting and high quality Ford CD car we have ever delivered, concluded Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe's Vice President of Product Development. The finer technical details will be kept secret for a few more months, but we believe that the Paris showcar's dynamic and kinetic exterior design and stylish, spacious new interior will give a clear indication of how different the new Mondeo range will be. We can't wait to launch it! Picture coming soon! Sporty S-Max leads Ford's summer sales charge Ford's newest people carrier is taking the market by storm - and is already one of the UK's favourite MPVs after just two months on sale. The Ford S-MAX has beaten all targets by attracting over 1,320 customers in June and July. And the same number again have placed orders for the innovative seven-seater. Most popular is the top-of-the-range Titanium model which accounts for more than 50 per cent of orders. Across Europe half of those buying an S-MAX are new to the Ford Blue Oval, according to market research. Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) also show that, in a car market where more motorists than ever are switching to diesel for increased fuel economy, Ford's acclaimed TDCi turbo diesel common-rail range is benefiting. So far this year 32 per cent of new cars from the Blue Oval are diesel - up five percentage points on a year ago. Other Ford highlights include: · Car market leadership by a 22,700-unit margin in Ford's 30th successive year on top · Continued trio of successes for Ford Focus, which is Britain's top-selling car overall, as well as favourite diesel choice and number one among company car drivers · Near 20 per cent hike in year-to-date sales for Britain's favourite small car, the Ford Fiesta 10 per cent registrations increase for small car Multi-Activity Vehicle, the Ford Fusion · Ford Fiesta Van and short wheelbase Transit and Tourneo Connect enjoy five percentage point rise in share of light commercial vehicle market to 23 per cent Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: I'm among the country's new Ford S-MAX drivers because I value its blend of head-turning looks and performance with space and practicality. The vehicle's early sales reports confirm Britain's motoring public agrees. Ford in UK to invest £1 billion to reduce emissions and fuel consumption Ford Motor Company, the UK's leading automotive company, is to spend at least £1 billion developing a range of global environmental technologies in the UK for its Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo brands - the largest commitment ever to the environment by a carmaker in the UK. When the engineering actions are complete, the Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group (PAG) fleet has the potential to save in an average year the same as the total annual CO2 emissions of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. This engineering programme doubles the rate of environmental spending in the past and is part of a broad strategy for the company's Ford of Europe and PAG business units that will deliver an extensive list and variety of technologies including lightweight, hybrid electric and bio-fuel vehicles. This will see unparalleled collaboration between the 9,500 engineers that work at Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover R&D centres in the UK and the broader strategy will also bring together engineers from Volvo in Sweden and Ford's engineering bases in Europe and worldwide. Their combined actions will deliver over 100 models and derivatives that offer improved emissions or fuel economy performance, including for example, a regular Ford Focus, Britain's best-selling car, capable of more than 70 miles per gallon. Climate change is one of the greatest single challenges facing the auto industry and society today, said Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group Chairman and CEO Lewis Booth speaking at today's announcement in London. A broad business strategy that serves all our brands is the only way we can achieve the level of improvement in emissions and fuel economy required. We are not going to introduce just one or two high-profile green cars that sell in relatively low numbers and leave it at that. To tackle this issue, we are getting our 3,700 R&D people in Essex, our 2,000 engineers in Coventry and our 3,300 engineers in Warwickshire to work together. By pooling our engineering investment, our brands will develop a broader range of technologies, available faster than they could afford individually. And by deploying these technologies across the breadth of our product range - mass market and premium products, passenger cars and commercial vehicles - we can deliver far more significant reductions in the total amount of CO2 generated by our total vehicle fleet. We can also help reduce our customers' consumption of fossil fuels, which saves them money. Booth also highlighted what he described as the multiplier factor. For example, Ford's Focus model is the best selling car in the UK, with some 145,000 units sold each year. Just a small percentage improvement in this model's CO2 performance will deliver greater reductions in CO2 emitted to the atmosphere than the combined effect of all hybrid models currently sold in the UK. In the future, a regular Ford Focus will be capable of emitting less than 100g/km of CO2, more than 20 percent better than today's model - that's the equivalent of getting over 70 mpg, he said. (Imperial College London has calculated that the current ethanol powered Focus FFV emits less than 100g well-to-wheels.) Booth continued: We have already invested significantly and made great progress over the last decade. Our fleet is significantly cleaner today than ever before. For example, the current Ford Focus 1.8-litre TDCi diesel model has better performance, improved fuel economy and produces 26 percent less CO2 than an equivalent Ford Escort 1.8 TCi model from 1998. With the further technology plans we have, our fleet in the next decade will use literally millions of tonnes less CO2 over its lifetime on the road than our fleet does today. By working together, the brands have developed a coordinated and collaborative business response that will include an unprecedented level of spending in the UK - by Ford or any other car maker - dedicated to improving fuel economy and tailpipe emissions. It is further evidence of the significant mindset shift at the company, led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William Clay Ford, and will transform the spending at the three main UK R&D centres - Dunton in Essex, Gaydon in Warwickshire and Whitley in Coventry. Global competitiveness Ford is not only market leader in sales but also has the largest manufacturing and engineering presence of any car maker in the UK, responsible for some 80 percent of the UK's total automotive R&D investment, according to official UK Government figures. The UK's competitiveness in the global marketplace is of critical importance to the company's operations and Ford is keen to see the development of high-skilled, low-carbon expertise in Britain to secure on-going competitive advantage for the country and Ford's workforce. This needs to be reinforced by a business environment that is supportive of R&D and skills investment. The role of Government, oil companies and consumers Speaking at today's event, Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport said: There is no bigger long-term challenge facing us than climate change. That is why it is very important for all of us - government, business and individuals to act. Today's announcement from Ford is very welcome. It is good news for the environment, British jobs and the wider economy. Lewis Booth represented the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) on the European commission-led CARS21 High Level Group that last year recommended an integrated approach between car makers, oil companies, governments and consumers to reduce CO2 emissions. Booth again repeated this call, Ford is committed to playing its role in developing technology solutions in cars. We are doubling the proportion of our spending here in the UK that goes into developing and deploying environmental technologies. But we call on all stakeholders to play their part in a holistic approach to develop technological solutions in cars, fuels and transport infrastructure to address climate change. We need governments to set the right legislative and fiscal framework to allow competing environmental technologies to flourish without distorting the marketplace. That means focusing incentives on the CO2 outcomes rather than the vehicle or fuel technologies that deliver them. It also means more engagement with consumers to encourage a shift in behaviour over time. It is critical that taxation incentives are intelligently applied across all car segments and over time to encourage sustained improvement. Dramatic tax changes which distort the market or unfairly target specific market segments will not achieve the results we all want to see. Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group environmental technology plan Ford's Chief Technical Officer Richard Parry Jones said: The size of the challenge we face is enormous. There is a body of scientific work that shows globe is heating up, but there is no agreement on the level of CO2 stabilisation required. Furthermore, it is clear that the car industry - even the transport sector as a whole - is not solely responsible. For example, it's been estimated that emissions from just heating, hot water, lighting and appliances in an average UK household are more than twice as high as emissions from the household use of personal transportation. It is therefore clear that action must be taken in all areas of life and all industrial sectors if we are to meet this challenge. At Ford, we recognise our responsibility to act. We believe we have to follow a multiple technology strategy for three reasons. First, there is no single technology on the horizon that will enable the automotive industry to play its full part in stabilising levels of atmospheric CO2. Second, we also cannot say for certain which way the market will go in the future and how much regional differences will play a part. Ultimately it will be customers who decide which technologies best suit their needs. And finally, as vehicles get cleaner and cleaner the technological challenge to eek out further improvement increases. By deploying multiple technologies we are able to make a series of small and medium size gains and leverage our range of vehicles and sales volume. This approach has the benefit of enabling us to vary our product offering to meet the needs of a range of customers in different market segments and to address the differing market preferences around the world. We will be able to build cars with technology bundles to improve the gains we can deliver and an array of technology will also mean we have the flexibility to adapt and respond quickly to market place developments and new legislative frameworks. By applying the technologies we develop across our product portfolio we will be offering customers more than 100 models and derivatives with improved tailpipe emissions or fuel economy performance over the next six years. To deliver these new vehicles and environmental actions, Ford and its brands will focus on the following key technology areas: 1. An all-new generation of lightweight aluminium vehicles and other weight saving actions o Jaguar has already launched two of the industry's first mass produced all-aluminium monocoque vehicles; the Jaguar XJ saloon and Jaguar XK sports car. The weight saving of an aluminium Jaguar XJ body-in-white is around 40 percent compared to the previous generation steel body. o The engineering expertise in working with aluminium has become a core competency for Jaguar and can be shared by other members of the Ford group. o A further all-new generation of lightweight premium vehicles will be developed among Ford's premium brands. This will deliver CO2 savings from the weight reduction of the base vehicles but will also open up a virtuous circle of component weight reductions and consequent CO2 improvements as we are able to reduce the loads on components. 2. Direct injection gasoline and advanced diesel engines and new transmissions: o Five all new petrol engines will be offered with advanced direct injection technology (fuel injected directly into the chamber for more efficient combustion with much finer control). Selectively, these will be further enhanced with pressure charging, stop/start capability and advanced valve actuation. This will enable customers to choose smaller engines than they do today while enjoying the same performance and improved drivability, but with a CO2 saving per unit of up to 20 percent. o Three advanced diesel engines will be launched with further CO2 improvements of five to 10 percent per unit. o Plans also include four new and advanced transmissions that through more efficient matching of gearing to engine speed will deliver CO2 savings per unit of five to 10 percent. 3. Hybrid electric systems tailored for different customers, regions and market segments: o Ford is a leader in the development and commercialisation of hybrid technology in its vehicles in North America, other brands in the Ford group will benefit from this expertise. o Hybrid vehicles will also play a role in the company's multi-technology strategy for Europe. Different driving conditions and the already high level of market acceptance for diesel technology will likely mean different couplings of engine and hybrid system are required. For example, micro-hybrid diesels provide a better cost-benefit proposition to customers than full gasoline hybrids, and are therefore the more compelling option for the European market . o The company will introduce a variety of systems deploying different levels of hybridisation (micro/mild/full) coupled with either diesel or gasoline engines depending on customer acceptance in different global markets and the appropriateness for different vehicle types. (CO2 saving per unit; 8 percent for micro-hybrid, 25 percent for full hybrid). 4. Alternative fuels capability: o Some of the greatest improvements in CO2 emissions from personal transportation will come from the further development and widespread availability of bio-fuels, especially so-called second generation bio-fuels. o Ford is committed to offering customers vehicles that take advantage of bio-fuel technologies and to working with oil companies to optimise and accelerate the development of these fuels. o Ford is already a leader in flexi-fuel E85 ethanol vehicles in both the United States and in certain European markets such as Sweden where 80 percent of Ford Focus and Ford Focus C-Max and 16 percent of Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 sales are flexi-fuel. o Further core models across the brands will be developed with E85 capability. (delivering well to wheels improvement of 30 to 80 percent depending on the source of the ethanol.) Furthermore, Ford has been working with BP on several projects that look at cars and fuels as a system to discover the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions. Phil New, a Senior Vice President at BP said: R&D underpins Ford's activities to deliver environmental sustainability in the transportation sector - both on its own and with industry and technology leaders such as BP. Both companies recognize that while existing bio-fuels will continue to play a role in the gasoline and diesel markets, more investment in R&D is required to deliver advanced bio-fuels solutions for the future. 5. A range of vehicle efficiency improvements and technologies to improve driver behaviour: o A set of driver information systems and selectable driving modes will be introduced allowing the driver to optimise the operation of the vehicle to maximise the benefits of the fuel economy technologies. o A range of efficiency actions that look at any waste in vehicle systems such as improving warm up times, cutting out drag and reducing loads by smart switching of systems, reducing pumping and hydraulic losses and looking at each system with a view to improving its interaction with the rest of the vehicle (CO2 saving per unit of three percent). Notes to Editors Ford Motor Company is the UK's leading car company. In addition to the design, engineering and manufacturing facilities for the Ford brand, Ford Motor Company also owns Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, which are all headquartered in the UK and design, engineer and build all their vehicles here. Ford Motor Company also owns Volvo and a thirty-three percent share of Mazda Motor Corporation. 1. Across the portfolio of brands, Ford Motor Company sells almost half a million cars and commercial vehicles in the UK every year. The company is market leader in the UK in terms of mass market and light commercial vehicle sales. 2. Ford Motor Company is the UK's largest automotive employer and skills trainer. Collectively the brands employ around 33,000 people in the UK - more than all other major auto manufacturers combined. Some 10,000 people work at its three main R&D centres. The company is also the UK leader in automotive manufacturing presence with four vehicle assembly plants and two engine plants. 3. Based on Department of Trade and Industry figures, Ford Motor Company is the fourth-largest R&D investor in the UK, spending around £1 billion a year or 80 percent of all automotive R&D in the country. 4. Ford brand has been new car market leader in the UK for nearly 30 consecutive years and medium commercial vehicle leader for 40 years. 5. Ford Motor Company is the UK's number one automotive exporter by value. 6. Since 2001, Ford Motor Company has invested over £10 million to improve the environmental performance of all its facilities in the UK. This covers key projects, such as the wind turbines at Dagenham whose Dagenham Diesel Centre was the first automotive plant in the world to obtain all its electrical power from wind turbines (when they are running on full capacity), and actions at Jaguar that have reduced CO2 emissions by 7.1 percent per car during manufacture. In addition, Land Rover has reduced its CO2 emissions per vehicle built by 26.6 percent since 1997, while the Ford Bridgend Engine Plant is fitted with one of the largest integrated, grid-connected solar/photovoltaic installations in a car manufacturing plant in Europe. New Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet The new Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet combines open air motoring with the acclaimed comfort, stability and all-round practicality already associated with the top-selling Focus range. It goes on sale in October and will make its UK debut at the British International Motor Show in July. Taking its place at the top of the Focus family tree alongside its sporty sister, the Focus ST, the new Coupe-Cabriolet uses a stylish and clever two-piece folding hardtop to give the car two distinct personalities. The roof function is neat, efficient and reliable: opening or closing takes just 29 seconds. It's also big on practicality - with the roof closed, the Coupe-Cabriolet offers a best-in-class 534 litres luggage capacity, and with the hardtop stowed, there is still 248 litres of luggage space. No direct class competitor can offer more space. Elegant Italian Design Designed in partnership with Pininfarina S.p.A, the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet exudes elegance and style with the hardtop up and down. Its distinctive rear is characterised by unique tail lights linked by a chrome strip bearing an embossed Focus logo to give the new model a premium feel. This is further enhanced by a unique front bumper shape and distinctive wheel arches. Inside, the car's dashboard layout follows the style of other Focus models, but with a new colour scheme developed to distinguish it as a flagship - a scheme designed to complement the car's striking exterior. Two different colour schemes are offered: dark, sporty Ebony/Flint, and the warm, elegant Iris/Camel. Engine Line-up Together with style and practicality comes choice: the new Focus Coupe-Cabriolet has the option of two petrol and one diesel engine. The versatile 100PS 1.6-litre petrol unit provides 0-62mph acceleration in 13.6sec and a top speed of 114mph. Target combined fuel consumption is 39.8mpg. The lively 145PS 2.0-litre petrol engine produces a 0-62mph time of 10.3sec and a top speed of 130mph. Target combined fuel consumption is 37.6mpg. And the super-economical 136PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel powertrain gives 0-62mph in 10.3sec, a top speed of 128mph and targeted combined fuel consumption of 47.9mpg. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 136PS 2.0-ltre TDCi, while the 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol units are offered with five-speed manual. Strong and Safe No matter which engine is chosen, the new Coupe-Cabriolet retains the Focus brand's inspired and involving driving dynamics. This has been achieved by basing the Coupe Cabriolet on the inherently rigid four-door Focus saloon underbody and front body structure and ensuring that most new body parts are made from high-strength steel. Safety is paramount and Ford's new Rollover Protection Device (RPD) plays a vital role in increasing the Coupe-Cabriolet's passive safety performance. In addition to standard front and side airbags, the RPD is designed to help protect passengers in the event of a vehicle rollover. If the system detects an imminent roll, two safety roll-bars fire and extend out by up by 20cm to provide a supportive safety strut along with the ultra-strong windscreen pillars to protect the car's occupants. UK prices and specification will be announced on the 18th July at the British International Motor Show. Sun shines on Ford sales Ford is out in front on 2006 car sales by miles - leading the market by more than 18,000 units, according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Ford blue oval, the UK's top brand for cars and commercial vehicles, is growing in popularity across the board. Ford results out today include: More than 155,600 Ford cars sold in first five months of the year, with nearest rival 18,238 behind 16.3 per cent of car and commercial vehicle sales so far this year - half a percentage point up on 2005 Ford Focus - Britain's top-selling car - has outsold its closest competitor by a third. Buoyed by the acclaimed new turbocharged 2.5-litre Ford Focus ST, sales of Focus are fast approaching 65,000 this year Focus and Mondeo are first and second in diesel top 10 Almost one in five new small cars is a new 2006 Ford Fiesta - the favourite among retail (private) buyers Ford's car market of 15.2 per cent year-to-date is running a full point ahead of the brand's 2005 full-year figure For commercial vehicles, Ford's share totals almost 23 per cent - 0.5 of a point up on last year Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, commented: Ford's strong sales performance in 2006 in an ultra-competitive market clearly shows that we have our best-ever car and commercial vehicle line-up. Our vehicle range will be further strengthened by the new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy when they become available this month, and the new Transit, the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet and the Ford Ranger later in the year. Even before the new Transit has been launched, Ford commercial vehicle sales have been an outstanding success in 2006. Over 38,300 Ford commercial vehicles have been sold so far - a substantial rise of five per cent. Ford Transit reigns supreme as Britain's favourite commercial vehicle with 24,461 registrations year-to-date. The smaller Ford Transit Connect has topped 9,460 sales this year. Ford Dagenham designs and builds new V8 diesel engine The launch of a new premium V8 diesel engine at Ford's Dagenham Diesel Centre has further strengthened the site's role as the company's global centre for diesel engineering and manufacturing. Dagenham Diesel Centre specialists have exclusively engineered and produced this new top of the range engine for Ford Motor Company. It is a state-of-the-art twin-turbo 3.6-litre V8 power unit and the first came off the line today. Vehicle applications for the new engine will be announced later this year together with further technical details. More than £12.2 million has been invested in the development and manufacture of the V8, bringing the total spent at Dagenham to £644.2 million since it became Ford's diesel centre of excellence. Phil Lake, Ford's chief diesel engineer, said: This new V8 engine underlines Ford Motor Company's commitment to engineering and manufacturing in the UK. It is a credit to Dagenham where employees have embraced their role as diesel specialists - engineering and producing advanced quality engines. The V8 will be built on the same production line which has turned out 110,000 examples of Dagenham Diesel Centre's highly acclaimed 2.7-litre V6 engines for Jaguar, Land Rover and PSA Peugeot Citroen. Both V6 and V8 engine blocks are loaded onto cradles prior to assembly, which enable operators and the line itself to switch between the different units seamlessly. Dagenham Diesel Centre is one of the most advanced manufacturing sites in the country. It features an ultra modern assembly hall where air is filtered to minimise dust particles that could interfere with the quality of the high tech diesel engines. A clean production environment is required for the high pressure common rail fuel and turbo charging systems featured on the latest advanced diesel engines. The new V8 boasts a power output of over 270PS and develops up to 640Nm of torque. Dagenham Diesel Centre is gearing up to production volumes of up to 25,000 units a year. The cylinder heads for the V8 will be machined in Dagenham's adjacent original engine plant, where V6 machining already takes place. Both engines are made from lightweight compacted graphite iron, offering strength, durability and quietness. Ford's Dagenham Diesel Centre was opened by the Prime Minister in 2003 and a total of 2,350 engineers and production operators are employed at Dagenham where 700,000 engines will be produced this year. Further new business for Dagenham assembling 1.4 and 1.6 diesel engines will take the site beyond a million units annual output from early next year. Dagenham is the source for half of Ford Motor Company's diesel engine requirements globally. Around one in four engines in Ford Motor Company vehicles worldwide were built in Britain - assembled either at Dagenham or Bridgend engine plant, in Wales. Economy pricing for Galaxy Ford today announced that the price of its all-new Galaxy people carrier will start at under £19,500, giving customers access to a new generation of style, practicality and technology at less than the price of the today's equivalent model. Prices for the new Galaxy range of seven-seat MPVs starts at £19,495 for the well-specified LX, compared with £19,565 for today's LX model - a saving of £70. Unveiled at the Geneva Show earlier this month, the all-new Galaxy goes on sale in the UK in June. We are delighted by the response we have received since the vehicle was shown in Geneva, said Steve Hood, marketing director, Ford of Britain. Requests for information on the dedicated Galaxy micro-site have exceeded all our expectations. Galaxy has led the UK's MPV market for over 10 years - ever since it was launched in fact. The all-new Galaxy takes the game to a new level in every area and we certainly aim to build on our leadership in this segment, he added. Ford and its winning focus stay out in front The Ford Focus - Britain's top-selling car - has outsold its nearest rival by over 50 per cent. Buoyed by the launch of the acclaimed turbocharged 2.5-litre Ford Focus ST, the model topped 17,500 sales this year so far. The second-placed car was more than 6,000 sales behind. Ford took a car market share of 16.7 per cent, both last month and year-to-date according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This was 1.5 percentage points up on February 2005 and the corresponding volume - 12,660 Ford cars sold last month - was eight per cent higher than the previous year. Other Ford highlights include: Ford Fiesta secures 22 per cent of the year's small car sales Twice as many Ford Kas registered as closest segment competitor Ford Focus also diesel best seller Ford Mondeo remains favourite large car Ford Galaxy is number one large Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) Volumes of market leading Ford Transit are up eight per cent From March the first Ford Focus Flexi Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) delivered to customers will feature among Ford registrations. The Ford Focus FFV is the country's first biofuel car and Avon and Somerset police will be driving on bioethanol from later this month. The FFV runs on bioethanol or petrol in any mix in the same fuel tank. A 1.8-litre Ford Focus FFV costs £14,095 with no premium charged for its flexi fuel technology. Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: Ford Focus - the nation's favourite - and Ford Fiesta are leading the charge and helping to maintain our position as top car and commercial vehicle brand. Customers are the only true judges of our success, so I was particularly delighted that Fiesta and Focus were first and second respectively in the retail top 10 - reflecting private buyers' car purchases so far in 2006. Ford extends association with UEFA Champions League until 2009 Building on 14 years of success, Ford and UEFA today announced the extension of Ford's sponsorship with the UEFA Champions League for the 2006/2009 contract period. The UEFA Champions League is Europe's biggest and most prestigious club football tournament. The existing contract will expire at the end of the UEFA Champions League season 2005/2006. Ford has been a partner of the UEFA Champions League since the inception of the tournament in 1992. As the official vehicle supplier, the company will continue to provide a fleet of nearly 800 vehicles across the season to enable the swift and safe travel of match officials and VIP guests. At the Geneva Motor Show, Ford will celebrate its continued association with UEFA Champions League. The company will also unveil the new Ford S-MAX, which will be the focal point of the official vehicle fleet for UEFA Champions League. The S-MAX will also feature on Ford's new perimeter boards for the remainder of the 2005/2006 season. John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe, said: With the renewal of our contract as one of the sponsors of the UEFA Champions League, we cement our position as the premium motoring brand in European club football. All the UEFA Champions League seasons have been exciting tournaments with outstanding matches between Europe's top clubs. The TV audiences reflect the excitement and drama of European football and have been outstanding. We expect the audiences to outstrip previous records in the future. But we also believe the UEFA Champions League has benefited from its association with one of Europe's top automotive brands through Ford's Destination Football campaign, dedicated to bringing fans and the game closer together. Our vehicles help transport players, officials and fans to the heart of the action, while our special events, such as consumer promotions at Ford dealerships, bring the action right into the heart of the community. These events are designed to give real fans a chance to taste a little of the spirit of football, and maybe even get transported all the way to this year's UEFA Champions League Final in Paris, he added. Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of UEFA, said: We are extremely pleased that such an international and global brand as Ford has chosen to extend its agreement with UEFA and with the UEFA Champions League. Ford has been a partner of ours since the inception of the competition back in 1992, and this re-signing from 2006-09 just goes to prove what a strong relationship we have. The UEFA Champions League continues to go from strength to strength and we are sure that, together with Ford, we can extend the benefits from our close relationship, as well as of course providing the vehicles that will help transport officials and special guests at matches all across Europe. Ford S-MAX and Galaxy debut at Geneva show Ford Motor Company has announced the arrival of two all-new interpretations of the modern people carrier. The sporty new Ford S-MAX and the spacious new Ford Galaxy are launched at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and go on sale in June 2006. While the new generation Ford Galaxy takes the attributes of flexibility, spaciousness, and safe and comfortable driving to new levels, the Ford S-MAX takes Ford into a new market sector. Both models have been designed and developed in-house by Ford of Europe, and will be built at the company's Genk Assembly Plant in Belgium. For the Galaxy, this marks a major departure from the previous joint-venture model. Both vehicles are also significant in being the first to enter volume production with elements of the company's new 'kinetic design' styling. First seen last year in the striking Ford iosis concept car, this creative new form language expresses energy in motion, and this is certainly true for the distinctive shapes in the bold body forms of Ford Galaxy and Ford S-MAX. While the new Galaxy generation adds a dynamic angle to the vehicle's space credentials, the crossover S-MAX clearly expresses more sporty ambitions. The family face of both vehicles shows their obvious relation, yet the only common parts in the S-MAX's and Galaxy's external body panels are the head lights and the front bonnet. They really are two distinctly different vehicles - the Ford S-MAX roof height is about one hand width lower than the Galaxy's (1607mm v 1676mm). All other body panels, as well as doors and glass, are individual. Thus, each vehicle's distinguished design style expresses its particular character. Galaxy and S-MAX innovations New Ford Galaxy and S-MAX feature a wide array of intelligent innovations, many of them new to Ford, and many designed to provide superior levels of passive and active safety. Both offer a new Active Suspension System with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert. An all-new driver's knee airbag also debuts, along with a permanent Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and an active Collision Mitigation System. Also, in keeping with Ford's no-compromise approach to safety and the evolving EU legislative requirements, measures have been taken to deliver an increased level of pedestrian protection. Galaxy and S-MAX: space New Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy are vehicles that take functionality and flexibility to new heights. Both new models feature the Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS). Easily moving and individually folding second and third row seats bring new levels of flexibility and modularity to the class. All seats remain on board, but can be folded down to form a flat and even load floor almost as big - 2.0 metres by 1.15 metres - as a comfortable bed. Both cars can be specified with a large panorama glass roof, and the Galaxy also offers an overhead console to enhance the first-class travel experience. New Ford S-MAX and Galaxy also offer an optional sliding load floor to help owners take advantage of its spaciousness for an active lifestyle and easy loading. Galaxy and S-MAX: ride and handling Ford created the new S-MAX and its Galaxy with recognisable Ford dynamics yet key differences in their driving characteristics. Each features Ford's signature expertise in ride and handling - now summarised under the new title Ford PrecisionDrive. Galaxy's suspension, offering more than 200mm of spring travel, is tuned for a much more relaxed ride. The new S-MAX explores the sporty side of Ford's driving dynamics, while giving away only 10mm of the Galaxy's overall available jounce travel. The sportier S-MAX offers more precise ride and handling, and shows excellent performance and controllable load-change reactions. The new platform's optimised geometry provides a high level of torsional rigidity, which adds to the car-like dynamic behaviour. Both models can also be specified with Ford's optional new active suspension system with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD). Ford's new CCD technology effectively provides adaptive damping by rapid damper valve control. This means that each damper valve can be adjusted almost every two tenths of a second to guarantee the best interaction between comfort and road contact. Heave, pitch and roll of the vehicle are controlled by the system, improving handling and stability. Galaxy and S-MAX: safety Ford has equipped both all-new models with an array of active and passive safety features. The safety story begins with a solid foundation - an ultra-stiff body structure that reduces the deformation of the passenger safety cell. New safety systems introduced in the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy include Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC), and an all-new active suspension system which integrates: Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) to improve suspension performance and comfort in all road conditions and interact with the vehicle's ESP for better dynamic vehicle behaviour Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) and Collision Mitigation by Braking - driver aids based on radar distance control Hill-Launch-Assist (HLA), which allows the driver to release the brake pedal and to step on the accelerator pedal without the vehicle rolling backwards Ford's new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Engines: 2.5-litre Duratec petrol engine for S-MAX For customers looking for performance to match S-MAX's dynamic looks, this high-powered five-cylinder turbo engine offers 220PS and peak torque of 320Nm over a wide range from 1,500 to 4,800rpm. It will be mated to a new Ford Durashift six-speed manual transmission. 2.0-litre Duratec HE petrol engine This 16-valve, four-cylinder powerplant is available in both the Galaxy and the S-MAX, offering 145PS and peak torque of 190Nm. The powerful Duratec HE petrol 16-valve engine is lightweight and compact, matched with Ford's proven MTX-75 Durashift five-speed manual transmission. Duratorq TDCi 1.8-litre diesel engine This proven turbo-charged Ford common-rail diesel engine is available for both Galaxy and the S-MAX. It offers 125PS and a steady state peak torque of 320Nm (340Nm under transient overboost). Also available in Galaxy only is a power-reduced 100PS version of the Duratorq TDCi diesel to suit the cost-of-ownership parameters driven by insurance and tax rates in certain markets. Two transmissions will be available on Galaxy, the Durashift MTX75 five-speed manual or the Durashift six-speed manual. The S-MAX will be available with the Durashift six-speed manual. Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre diesel engine Available in both the Ford Galaxy and the S-MAX, this high-performance, 2.0-litre TDCi diesel offers 140PS and a peak torque of 320Nm (340Nm under transient overboost). It comes with Ford's Durashift six-speed manual transmission as standard. In Summary S-MAX's place in the Ford family The all-new S-MAX significantly adds to the Ford of Europe product portfolio. Its seven-seat capacity is incredibly versatile, while the engine choice, which now includes the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo unit from the Ford Focus ST, signals its sporty driving character. Galaxy's place in the Ford family With the all-new Galaxy, Ford truly adds a flagship to its product portfolio. New Galaxy's striking body design, derived from Ford's kinetic design language, displays the same futuristic modernism as its sporty sibling, the Ford S-MAX. Yet it makes a statement more geared towards comfort and quality, building on the first-class credentials of its predecessor. Ford presents wise prize to female engineer Ford Motor Company Ltd has awarded this year's WISE prize to 20-year-old automotive engineering student Kiara Harper. Kiara, who studies at Kingston University in Surrey, received her £750 prize at this month's Young Women Engineer of the Year award ceremony. It was presented in London by CBI director general Sir Digby Jones, with Ford represented by European quality director Kenna Kintrea. Ford and The WISE Campaign (Women Into Science and Engineering) make the annual award, which is backed by the Institutes of Incorporated Engineers, Electrical Engineers and Mechanical Engineers, to a carefully chosen female engineering student. Kiara came first in a stringent selection process including interview by a panel of engineering professionals. The Ford WISE prize was initiated by Ford to recognise and reward exceptional women in the penultimate year of studying for their engineering degree. It also promotes the potential of engineering as a career to females. Kiara is an exceptional woman who is committed to the world of engineering. She not only studies the discipline but is also enthusiastic and dedicated, said Kenna Kintrea, who is based at Merkenich Technical Centre in Germany - one of Ford's two principal European research and development centres. The Ford Dunton Technical Centre in Essex is the UK's largest automotive R&D facility, staffed by an engineering team of more than 3,000. Leah Pellew, chair of Ford's Engineers for the Next Generation (ENG) group at Dunton, said: ENG works hard to increase the awareness of science and engineering as a career to all young people. The Ford WISE prize is supporting those young women who have chosen to pursue a degree in what is typically a male dominated arena. Big savings on Ford servicing costs The cost of ownership of 2006 Ford cars has been slashed - as servicing has been made easier thanks to advances in the durability of vehicle components. All Ford cars registered in 2006 have a revised schedule for routine servicing work. While service intervals remain unchanged at 12 months or 12,500 miles, significantly less work is now required on the first service and in alternate services. On a Ford Focus 1.6 petrol model, the new service schedule means savings of £168.95 over a three-year/62,500-mile period, while a Focus 1.6 TDCi would enjoy a service-cost reduction of £153.65. On a Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi the saving is £118.09, and a Mondeo 2.0 petrol model benefits to the tune of £96.96. The move has been made possible by cumulative improvements in the durability of Ford components over time. With fewer parts now requiring regular checks, it has been possible to reduce workshop labour times. Ford recommends vehicles are taken to Ford authorised repairers to ensure they are serviced in line with the manufacturer's guidelines and can be checked for necessary updates using Ford systems. Authorised repairers use the latest Ford diagnostic equipment, tools and systems, and employ Ford-trained technicians. They can also carry out any necessary warranty repairs during the service. Ford at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show Hybrids and horsepower, innovation and bold concepts are amongst the highlights on the Ford Motor Company stand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. Ford Edge The Ford Edge crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is expected to be one of the stars of the Show. Edge's bold design will turn heads in the CUV market - the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the US with over 2 million sold in 2005. The new Ford Edge is modern, stylish, sporty and will inject a healthy dose of American design and personality into the hot crossover market, says Peter Horbury, Ford's executive director of North America Design. Edge is powered by Ford's new 3.5-litre V6 engine and new six-speed automatic transmission - which help deliver a dynamic driving character and impressive fuel economy. Inside the new Ford Edge comfortably seats five and is big on details and innovation: MP3-player, console laptop storage, panoramic Vista Roof™ , 20-ounce cup-holder is included in each front-door pocket, along with juice box holders in the rear door pockets, two super-size cup-holders in the center console and two in the rear armrest. Edge goes on sale in North America during the fourth quarter of 2006. Ford Shelby GT500 One of the most anticipated and powerful cars coming in 2006 just got hotter with the announcement that a convertible version will join Ford's line-up. Carroll Shelby and Ford Special Vehicle Team join forces to create a modern successor to the famous Shelby GT500 of the late 1960s. This hot new car combines classic Mustang heritage with an aggressive muscular front-end design, Le Mans racing stripes, unmistakable Cobra logo and Shelby nameplate. With more than 450bhp on tap from its supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine, the Shelby GT500 convertible will be the most powerful factory-built Ford Mustang in history. Ford F-250 Super Chief Concept The most advanced, well-appointed pickup ever, the Ford F-250 Super Chief displays the ultimate execution of rugged optimism and demonstrates innovation in technology as the world's first vehicle with Tri-Flex fueling, enabling the supercharged V10 to run for 500 miles between fill-ups on hydrogen, E85 ethanol or gasoline. The Ford F-250 Super Chief concept takes truck leadership to a new level. The tri-fuel flexibility is one possible innovation by Ford to help pave the way for hydrogen vehicles, as the US ethanol and hydrogen fueling infrastructure continues to develop. Ford Reflex Concept The Ford Reflex concept sets new standards for a small B-class coupe, demonstrating that small, environmentally friendly vehicles can be family friendly, visually appealing and sporty. The Reflex Concept is a technological showcase including solar-panel powered headlights, integrated child seat, inflatable rear safety belts and an interior insulated by scrap Nike athletic shoes. Under the bonnet an advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine and new-generation lithium-ion batteries help deliver up to 65mpg. Ford leads UK'S sales charts Ford once again proved to be Britain's most popular automotive brand by motoring into the New Year over 66,000 sales ahead of its nearest competitor. Ford cars have been the favourite choice for buyers in Britain for 29 successive years. The iconic Ford Transit, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, enabled the Blue Oval to secure four decades of consecutive commercial vehicle market leadership. Ford secured car market leadership for the whole of 2005 after selling more than 347,550 units to seal 14.2 per cent of the market, placing the Blue Oval in front by over 30,000 cars. Ford's commercial vehicle range topped 88,800 sales, accounting for 23 per cent of registrations in this sector. The second-placed commercial vehicle manufacturer was more than 36,000 units behind. The success of Ford Transit and Transit Connect helped the Blue Oval sell around one in three medium-sized commercials on the road. This follows a dominant sales performance in December when Ford led the pack with a 14.8 per cent share of the car market - beating December 2004 by almost 2,500 units. Ford commercials were 22.5 per cent of their market in December 2005. The ongoing success of the Ford Focus as the UK's top selling car is especially pleasing, said Paul Thomas, Ford of Britain managing director. It is an accolade the model has held every year since the original Ford Focus went on sale in 1998. More than 145,000 Ford Focus cars were registered last year - 4,000 units up on 2004 thanks to soaring sales of the latest model. Other 2005 sales successes for Ford of Britain according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders released today include: Three Ford cars in top 10 - Focus (1st), Fiesta (5th) and Mondeo (8th) Clear retail market leader - ahead by almost 43,500 units Fiesta was retail favourite among private buyers and Focus third Focus was bestselling diesel car and Mondeo second Ford's diesel volumes up on 12 months ago In its city car segment Ka sales are more than 2.5 times those of nearest rival Transit Connect goes from strength to strength with rising volumes in medium commercial segment Almost 30 years of car market leadership and a staggering 40 years of success for the Ford Transit have put us in prime position, said Paul. Ford has made a flying start to an exciting and busy year which will see us launch five new products. The 2006 Ford Fiesta and Fusion now on sale will help this retail favourite celebrate 30 years of supermini success since the first Fiesta model arrived on UK roads in 1976. Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain's incoming sales director, said: The 2006 outlook for Ford is good although the market will remain very competitive - so it's a great time for customers to buy. The combination of our future products and the pace already set by sure winners such as Ford Focus ST mean I'm looking forward to the challenge. CUV gives Ford the edge in hottest market segment The Ford Edge crossover utility vehicle is expected to be one of the stars of the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. Edge's bold, American design will turn heads in the CUV market - the fastest-growing vehicle segment - in a year that CUV sales are expected to surpass traditional SUVs. Much like Fusion has done for the mid-size sedan, the new Ford Edge will inject a healthy dose of American design and personality into the hot crossover market, says Peter Horbury, Ford's executive director of North America Design. Edge is powered by Ford's new 3.5-liter V-6 engine and new 6-speed automatic transmission - which help deliver a dynamic driving character and impressive fuel economy. Edge goes on sale in fourth quarter 2006. Design rendering by Ford's Roger Kim. Ford calls time on drink driving As drinkers toast Britain's move to 24-hour licensing, Ford has issued a strong anti-drink drive message after researching the consequences of getting behind the wheel when over the limit. Ford's volunteer drink driver consumed alcohol under test conditions until his levels were one and a half times the legal limit. He found confidence soared when driving on the secure track - just as his accuracy and control plummeted. Ford staged the experiment at its European proving ground at Lommel, Belgium, where six driving control tests were attempted every two hours during a day of continuous drinking. Twelve units of alcohol - glasses of wine - were consumed in total during a six-hour period. The driving tests, using the latest Ford Focus C-MAX, were: Emergency stop (at 50mph) Slalom around 10 cones placed 20 metres apart (at 30mph) Circular fixed course of 100-metre radius (three laps at 60mph) Continuous steering round B-shaped course (two laps at 10mph) Reversing for 40 metres between foam blocks placed car's width plus 15cm apart (10mph) Reversing round a corner into parking space of car's width and length plus 15cm (10 mph) Static test of reflexes and coordination using apparatus providing visual and aural stimuli The Ford Focus C-MAX test car carried equipment measuring stopping distance and steering precision with Global Positioning System (GPS) recording any deviation from the selected route. The time lag between consumption and feeling the alcohol's effects felt quite long, said 'drink driver' Oliver Rowe, of Ford of Britain's press office, whose alcohol breath reading reached 50. Britain's legal limit to drive is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. If I had judged whether I was under the limit during these first couple of hours, I would have said yes. In reality reaction times were deteriorating fast, reflected by my performances on the track. My growing confidence and 'raring to go' attitude when under the influence produced more aggression. This resulted in exaggerated steering, especially on the slalom, and great difficulty in maintaining the set speeds. Ford's drink drive exercise was staged as November's round-the-clock licensing laws came into force and as police forces prepare to launch their own Christmas campaigns to send a stern anti-drink drive message to party goers. There is renewed concern about drink driving in Britain as, after two decades of decline, statistics show alcohol-related deaths and injuries on the UK's roads to be rising. Last year fatality figures were the highest since 1992, with a total of 590 deaths (Institute of Alcohol Studies, Sept 2005). Today one in five road deaths are alcohol related. Kevin Delaney, head of road safety at RAC Foundation said: The RAC Foundation for Motoring welcomes this comprehensive and practical test which clearly demonstrates the dangers of drinking and driving. Alcohol, even in quite small amounts, adversely affects driver performance, hazard perception, co-ordination and our ability to anticipate and respond to emergencies, while at the same time increasing confidence and reducing inhibitions - a dangerous combination. The simple message about drinking and driving is don't, and don't drive the morning after a party when your alcohol level may still be above the legal limit. Ford receive Mayor of London Recycling Award Ford Motor Company has been named the 'Best Performing Corporate Organisation' at the Mayor of London's Green Procurement Code awards, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to materials recycling. During 2005 the company, which employs around 14,000 people in the UK including 4,500 at its 473 acre Dagenham estate to the east of the capital, has purchased sufficient recycled-content products to stop 21,000 tonnes of materials - the equivalent of nearly 3,000 double decker buses - being disposed of in landfill sites. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: The awards provide an ideal opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of companies in creating a sustainable city for the future. These companies are not only recycling their waste, but are closing the recycling loop by also buying recycled products. The Mayor's Green Procurement Code, delivered by London Remade, was launched in 2001 to assist London-based organisations identify opportunities to recycle waste and buy products manufactured from recycled materials. One of the Ford initiatives which impressed the Mayor and the other judges was the section of Dagenham estate roadway which had rubber crumbs or granules from shredded tyres added to the bitumen and aggregate. As a consequence around 300 tyres were not sent for landfill disposal and roadway improvements are expected to include a marked reduction in road surface noise generated by traffic. Another Dagenham initiative involves the recycling annually of 1,700 tonnes of a metal and oil sludge, the by-product from the machining of engine blocks. Previously this was sent to landfill, but a new process sees the metal and oil being separated by placing the sludge under high pressure. The resulting metal briquettes have a number of industrial uses, including steel making, road surfacing or refuelling cement kilns. The reclaimed oil is used again in the Dagenham engine manufacturing plant. The most visible signs of Ford Motor Company's environmental actions in greater London are the two wind turbines which dominate the landscape at Dagenham. Between them, they generate enough power to provide for all the electricity needs of the £320 million state-of-the-art diesel engineering and manufacturing centre on the estate. By using wind-generated electricity, Ford Motor Company has eliminated the air pollution which would otherwise have occurred (5762 Tonnes of CO²; 67 Tonnes of Sulphur Dioxide and 20 Tonnes of Nitrogen Oxide) had the electricity been generated by non-sustainable methods. Ford of Britain chairman Roger Putnam, commenting on the awards, said: We are absolutely delighted at achieving the Mayor of London's award for our environmental initiatives. In this century recycling and sustainability have become part of the vocabulary of corporate life. Waste is a resource. Power is a luxury. Each and every Ford Motor Company employee is playing his or her part in achieving our corporate goals in this area. Used car conundrum from Ford & Vauxhall According to reports, the latest-generation Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra are depreciating at a much slower rate than their siblings in the sector above - the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra. When age, specification and mileage are comparable, the smaller car from the same manufacturer will have a used retail price up to £1,500 higher. For example, a 2005 '05-plate Ford Focus 2.0 Zetec five-door with 8,000 miles on the odometer would this month typically have a retail price of £11,900, compared to £10,550 for a 2005 '05-plate Ford Mondeo 2.0 Zetec five-door with identical mileage. There is a similar story with the equivalent models from Vauxhall. For example, a 2005 '05-plate Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Club five-door (after 8,000 miles) currently has a retail price of around £10,100, whereas a 2005 '05-plate Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 Club five-door can be found for £9,600, despite it having a more powerful engine and being the bigger car. This curious misalignment of residual values occurs largely because the Focus and Astra have been launched more recently, and the availability of used examples is low relative to current retail demand. By contrast, the Mondeo and Vectra are a later stage in their planned lifecycle and, as a consequence, demand has eased back and supply is now comparatively plentiful. As availability steadily improves, we can expect to see values for the Focus and Astra fall back, comments Adrian Rushmore, Managing Editor. The honeymoon for the latest Astra may be nearing its end, with the used retail price premium over the Vectra having fallen consistently during the past 12 months. The values of volume-brand upper-medium cars have been improving slowly over the past year, largely as a result of the higher number of diesels entering the used car market at prices significantly higher than their petrol counterparts. However, the comparatively greater popularity and stronger residual value performance of vehicles in the lower-medium sector means cars such as the Mondeo and Vectra will continue to represent impressive value for money for the used car buyer for the foreseeable future, he concludes. Ford want slice of biofuel market The introduction of the new Focus Flex-Fuel Vehicle in a few weeks coincides with next year's roll out of a 40 strong bioethanol fleet in Somerset and the introduction of five refuelling sites in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Bristol and Bath. Somerset county council has joined forces with local farmers' cooperative Wessex Grain to make 131 Million litres of bioethanol annually at its Henstridge, Wincanton grain store and refinery. Fuel subsidiary Green Spirit wants to expand the distribution nationwide from the refinery and open four other production plants. The new Cornwall Biofuel Project team are investigating the potential of a local bioethanol economy. A pilot scheme using Swedish specification Focus FFV models publicised in the Somerset area has seen a dramatic number of calls to the council from people who want to buy a Focus FFV and use bioethanol made from locally grown surplus wheat. Ford expects to sell 200 of the special Focus models in two years in the county and other authorities are about to follow the lead of Somerset, which is planning to hold a special bioethanol national conference in Taunton next spring. Ford believes the project is now strong enough to offer a Focus FFV. The price of the 1.8 litre, 125PS, Focus FFV is £14,095 and Andy Taylor, Ford's European Corporate Citizenship Director said it is pitched between comparable existing 1.6 and 2.0 litre models and initially it is be being offered in five door or estate derivatives. The Focus C-Max is also likely to be offered with the FFV engine later. The beauty of the Focus FFV is that it will not carry a prohibitive price premium and requires no special driving skills and can even be refuelled with normal unleaded petrol if bioethanol is not available, he said. The 1.8 litre engine has been modified with hardened valve seats, larger fuel pump and non-rubber lines, and the electronics have been changed to permit it to sense whether unleaded or bioethanol is in the normal fuel tank. Although bioethanol is 30pc less economical than unleaded petrol it does not attract as much duty and pump prices are likely to be highly competitive as a result. The main attraction of bioethanol apart from its homegrown credentials is the fact it only emits the same amount of carbon dioxide it absorbed in growing the wheat. Saab has launched a BioPower 9-5 with 180bhp 2.0 from £21,651 and it also runs on unleaded when the greener fuel is unavailable. The Government says all forecourts must offer five per cent Biofuel by 2010 or face financial penalties, in accordance with EU legislation. Fiesta and Fusion 2006 previews Every Fiesta and Fusion in the Ford small car line-up has had a colour and style makeover for 2006. Britain's popular small cars are now available with big-car features including voice-controlled temperature, phone and audio systems. Distinctive new exterior styling, fresh new interiors, vibrant new colours and an impressive list of new equipment are sure to keep the Fiesta and Fusion top of the sales charts. The 2006 Fiesta and Fusion offer many features that are usually only available in larger cars including: rain-sensing wipers, automatic home-safe headlamps, air conditioning with automatic electronic temperature control, satellite navigation, trip computer, one-shot-down driver's power window, power/adjustable heated door mirrors that fold inwards and a MP3 connection socket for the integrated stereo systems. Modern new seat fabrics and fascia colour combinations give the 2006 models a contemporary feel. With more than a dozen combinations on Fiesta alone, customers can create an original and distinctive new car. Vibrant exterior colours for Fiesta and Fusion include tango red, amethyst, and sublime. Each range also has a unique colour - apple for Fiesta and Spanish olive for Fusion. New features at a glance The new range of standard and optional big-car features are: Voice control for phone, audio and electronic automatic temperature, as first seen on the new Ford Focus, and a first for small cars. Bluetooth® hands-free technology that mutes the audio system and plays the caller's voice over the car speakers when the phone is in use. Voice controlled with no cradle required. New, high quality audio unit. Whether using a tape or CD player, the quality and reception is a significant improvement. Trip computer to inform the driver of: miles to empty, average and actual fuel economy, average speed, trip distance and external temperature. Satellite navigation. Connection socket for portable MP3 player. One-shot-down driver's power window. Air conditioning with electronic automatic temperature control. Rain-sensing wipers. Automatic headlamps with a home-safe setting so they will stay on for 30secs after the ignition has been switched off. In addition, the sidelights automatically illuminate when the vehicle is remotely unlocked - a handy feature in a crowded car park. Body coloured power/heated automatic door mirrors that fold inwards when the remote central locking is activated or in manual mode when tight spaces need to be navigated. Focus is Scottish family car of the year Named as Family Car of the Year 2005 in the prestigious Scottish Car of the Year Awards. The award was conferred by the 15 members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. Fulfilling the needs of all the family is a demanding task and several vehicles came close to taking the top honours, stated the judges. However, our winner in this tough market segment is the most complete all-rounder and shows how things should be done. The motoring writers considered the performance, value for money, safety, Scots appeal and other aspects of more than 50 new models, split into seven categories. The original Ford Focus, along with the Jaguar X- and S-Type and Mazda 6, are among previous winners. Like its predecessor did seven years ago, this car sets the standards for others to follow, ran the citation for the new Focus. Whether you're after a saloon, hatchback or estate, there's a model to suit your needs. Basically, family car buyers have never had it so good. This is a fantastic accolade and just confirms that the all-new Ford continues to set the standard in the fiercely competitive compact family car segment, said a Ford spokesman. The presentation was made before 200 people attending the SCotY Awards ceremony at St Andrews Bay Resort. The annual event is also a major charity fund-raiser. Fiat and Ford sign small cars agreement The automobile sector of Fiat Group and Ford Motor Company announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement to cooperate on the joint development and production of vehicles in the European small car (sub-B) segment. The outcome of this exciting project will be the delivery to market of two highly differentiated vehicles; small cars with exterior and interior design that are true to the individual parents' brand identities. The two vehicles planned for development, the new Fiat 500 and a replacement for the current Ford Ka in Europe, will play a significant role in each company's European product range. Fiat and Ford are highly experienced in the development of successful small cars in Europe. By working together, the two companies will benefit substantially from reduced development costs and economies of scale in manufacturing and component sourcing. The result will lead to better value and increased quality for customers, while retaining the brand characteristics of each vehicle. Fiat and Ford are already working jointly on the development of the new vehicles. The current Fiat Panda platform will be the basis for the development of the new cars, which will be manufactured in Fiat's existing Tychy facility in Poland, where Ford engineers will contribute to the development of their models. The vehicles will use Fiat powertrains built in Poland and Italy. The strategic cooperative agreement with Ford represents another milestone in our strategy that calls for targeted alliances aimed at sharing financial and industrial resources on new products and platforms, said Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group and Fiat Auto. It is consistent with successful ventures established with major partners, including PSA Peugeot Citroen and Suzuki, and current discussions with the Indian group Tata Motors. Marchionne added: As far as Fiat is concerned, the partnership with Ford is relevant fourfold: the decision to manufacture the new cars at Tychy is a clear vote of confidence and trust in our Polish plant; the joint development of the new cars bears witness to the flexibility of the highly successful Fiat Panda platform; and the alliance represents a win-win industrial opportunity for both parties. Finally, I am pleased to say that the much awaited future Fiat 500 will further enhance our brand identity as it represents both an icon in the history of our Company, and of the motor industry. We fully intend to replace the Ka with a similarly iconic model, said John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO. Fiat is the ideal partner for us in this particular project, as they are acknowledged as having been for many years one of the world's leading manufacturers of small cars. The decision to combine forces with Fiat in this highly competitive area gives us the opportunity to minimise unit costs, while developing highly competitive products which will be true to our respective brand values. The new products will go on sale in the 2007-08 period. Projected annual volume will be around 240,000 units, divided evenly. Ford on course for another market-leading year With 'blue oval' cars and commercial vehicles topping the sales charts in a very competitive month, according to figures just released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. With just two full sales months remaining, Ford is now on course to achieve full year new car market leadership for 29 successive years and new commercial vehicle market leadership for an incredible 40 consecutive years - every full year since the Ford Transit was introduced. October sales highlights for Ford included: Overall new car market leadership with 21,707 sales for a 14.2 per cent share Fleet car market leadership Commercial Vehicle market leadership Ford Focus was Britain's best-selling car Fleet market favourite was also the Ford Focus Ford Fiesta was the top-selling retail car Britain's best-selling diesel car was the Ford Focus, with Ford Mondeo second Ford medium commercials, lead by the Transit range, dominated their sales segment with 27.5 per cent share - the nearest competitor took less than 10 per cent The Ford Ka, Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Galaxy led their segments of the car market Competition in the marketplace remains fierce, explained Ford of Britain managing director Paul Thomas. With the introduction this month of the Focus ST to much critical acclaim and with the revised Fiesta and Fusion range models reaching dealer showrooms, we are signaling to our competitors that we have no intention of resting on our laurels, he added. Royal visit for Ford HRH The Princess Royal has this week met teenagers who are learning vehicle repair skills in the new Ford Motor Company Mechanics Workshop located in a young offenders' institution. Princess Anne opened the workshop at Ashfield Young Offenders Institution in Pucklechurch, South Gloucestershire, and saw the offenders work on vehicles, engines and transmissions supplied by Ford Motor Company. Ashfield's Ford Motor Company Mechanics Workshop houses a Ford Focus, Britain's top selling car, and a Freelander donated by sister company Land Rover. The teenagers learn automotive repair and service skills to gain vocational qualifications which help secure employment after release. Powertrain items supplied by Ford's British plants have further equipped the new workshop. Engine plants in Bridgend, South Wales, and Dagenham, Essex, sent petrol and diesel units to help the offenders learn how high tech engines work and are assembled. The two plants between them produce engines for one in four Ford Motor Company vehicles sold worldwide. The workshop's gearboxes were built at Ford's transmission plant, at Halewood on Merseyside. Southampton Plant - home of the Ford Transit - sent software which enables PC users at the young offenders' institution to enjoy a virtual tour of the Hampshire facility and see Transit production on screen. Andy Taylor, Ford's European director of corporate citizenship, showed Princess Anne round the Ford Motor Company Mechanics Workshop. He said: The Ford Motor Company group is delighted to assist in the process of providing real world skills to these young lads. We hope that this support provides the opportunity for them to contribute fully to society in the future. The rest of the visit provided the princess with an insight into other innovative training programmes helping Ashfield's 15 to18 year olds avoid returning to crime after their release. These include parenting skills for the 25 per cent of teenagers at Ashfield who have young children, literacy and numeracy for the 80 per cent whose reading or writing ability is below the level of an average seven-year-old and drug awareness as 70 per cent of young people at Ashfield have had substance or alcohol problems. Centre director Vicky O'Dea said: We are very pleased that the Princess Royal has come to see the first-class work being done by our staff here. The new Ford Motor Company Mechanics Workshop allows them to learn skills which give a real chance of finding a job. The new cars, engines and transmissions from Ford and its partners mean the lads know they are working on up-to-date models on the road today. Ashfield is not the first example of Ford helping young offenders prepare themselves for future careers as vehicle technicians. Feltham Young Offenders Institution's workshop was equipped by Ford with vehicles, tools and components in 2002. It is run in partnership with Retail Motor Industry Training (ReMIT) and UK Youth, an education network for young people. Feltham's workshop has seen more than 100 detainees undertake motor mechanics apprenticeships, with two securing jobs in car dealerships afterwards. 2006 Ford Focus WRC maiden test The first all-new 2006 Ford Focus RS World Rally Car completed almost 500km during its initial three-day test session in England last week. The car, which will spearhead the BP-Ford World Rally Team's challenge in the FIA World Rally Championship next season, will undergo a second test this week before it is seen for the first time in public during next month's Rally Australia. After a brief asphalt shakedown several days earlier, the car was driven on gravel forest tracks close to M-Sport's Dovenby Hall base in north-west England by newly-crowned British rally champion Mark Higgins. The car completed 200km on the first testing day, 160km on the second day and 130km on the final day with no major problems. We are delighted with the way this first functional car behaved on what was a pretty demanding test, said Malcolm Wilson, director of the BP-Ford World Rally Team. A second gravel test is due to be completed this week. The team will then send two cars to Australia for regular BP-Ford drivers Toni Gardemeister and Roman Kresta to drive on the final round of the 2005 championship. For the team, the Rally Australia will be treated as a 'real world' test for the new Focus RS WRC. The car's first competitive outing will be on the opening round of the 2006 World Rally Championship, January's Monte Carlo Rally. The 2006 Focus RS WRC is based on the new Focus ST road car, which is currently being launched across Europe. It is really exciting for us to be testing a brand new rally car at the same time that we are launching its spiritual sibling, the new Focus ST, said Jost Capito, Director of Ford TeamRS. Everyone in Ford TeamRS and at M-Sport has worked hard to deliver the new WRC in time for the Rally Australia, and we're looking forward to seeing it in action. But we're not going to Australia to win, added Capito. We want to evaluate how the car will behave in the heat of a real competition before it enters its first competitive event next year. The new Focus WRC has been designed and built at M-Sport, with the full involvement of Ford Team RS. M-Sport operates Ford's rally programme with an experienced and innovative engineering team led by technical director Christian Loriaux.

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