According to statistics from the SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry), 10,099 were sold in
2007, giving it a top market share of 5.4%.

The top selling cars in 2007 were:
1. Ford Focus 10,099
2. Toyota Avensis 8,067
3. Toyota Corolla 7,962
4. VW Golf 7,844
5. VW Passat 7,161

2007 marks the 6th year that the Focus has topped the sales charts in Ireland. Over 80,000 units have been sold since the nameplate was introduced in 1998.

“We are delighted that the Ford Focus has again taken the title of Ireland’s favourite car,” comments Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland.

“To claim the title for a sixth year is a phenomenal achievement, especially given the strength of the competition out there.” The Irish car market covers nearly 40 marques offering well in excess of 200 different nameplates.

The Focus is likely to maintain its no. 1 status in 2008, as a thoroughly revised version of the car will arrive in Ireland in March. In addition to sporting Ford’s Kinetic design features, the new Focus will also have ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard across the range.

The new Focus now joins Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy which all have ESP as standard. This is part of Ford’s policy of providing this life-saving feature as standard across its range of passenger cars – the only car manufacturer to do so.

The new Ford Mondeo which was launched in Ireland in June was also extremely well received by Irish motorists. The car won the Semperit Irish Car of the Year title for 2008 and has outsold its competitors in its class since its launch.

“We really think 2008 is going to be huge for Mondeo. Overall, we believe car sales during the year will hold up well with only a small slow down predicted. The recently announced new CO2-based VRT system which comes into effect on July 1 will have the effect of squeezing a significant
number of sales into quarter three creating a strong year on year comparison for that quarter, but generally, growth will be flat across the full year,” said Eddie Murphy.

Ford also had a key success within Ireland’s MPV
people carrier segment for 2007. Ford’s two
models in the large MPV segment, the S-MAX and
Galaxy, were top sellers accounting for 52
percent of sales in this segment.

Ford’s range of FFV (Flexi Fuel Vehicle) cars
will also benefit from the new VRT regime with a
straight VRT reduction of €2500 for each FFV
model. The FFV range can run on any mix of E85
bio-ethanol and / or unleaded petrol. Currently,
Ford offers the Focus and C-MAX in an FFV
format and as of March this year, the company
will offer an expanded range, when FFV versions
of the Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy reach our
shores. E85 bio-ethanol, which costs approx. 20
percent less than unleaded petrol, is sold
through a network of 26 Maxol stations across the
country. In 2008, at least two other fuel
suppliers will also be providing the fuel
through their forecourts.