BRENTWOOD – The all-new Focus is now on sale in Britain and receiving an enthusiastic welcome from car buyers.

Over the past weekend, Ford's 550 dealerships welcomed new and existing customers to their showrooms to see the new technology-packed star.

Shipments of the new five-door Focus to UK dealers via the company's River Thames dock at Dagenham are flowing at a rate of 500 vehicles a day.  About 55 per cent of UK cars ordered are Zetec series, 25 per cent top-end Titanium models and the balance Edge.  Wagon deliveries will start next month to bring this body style to dealerships by May.

Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain managing director, said:  "Our new Focus delivers a level of refinement and comfort, combined with hi-tech features and connectivity, not found on a medium volume car.  Dealers are ready with enough new Focus stock to keep the car in pole position in the marketplace."

Every new Focus comes with voice-activated Bluetooth, USB connectivity, DAB digital radio, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and a Torque Vectoring Control system which optimises engine torque distribution between both driven wheels and mimics a limited slip differential.

Frugal new 1.6 TDCi diesel-powered versions of the Focus deliver over 67 mpg, while powertrains featuring Ford's new 1.6 EcoBoost turbo petrol engines return more than 47 mpg, both on the combined cycle.