MOSCOW – The Focus has been awarded the 2011 Car of the Year award by Autopanorama, a Russian-based monthly automotive magazine.  

The publication presents 17 awards each year, covering most car segments in the Russian market. The prior model Focus won the prestigious award in the C-segment category.

The Awards, based on customers voting via the internet, are supported by  several automotive publications.
Focus was the top-selling foreign car in Russia last year. More than 67,000 were sold in 2010, with 38 per cent of customers opting for high specification Titanium versions, an increase of 17 per cent on 2009. 
 
"Focus is a leader because it has an unrivalled combination of safety, technology and value," said Sergey Bogdanov, Ford of Russia vice president, as he received the award during a ceremony in one of Moscow's the most prestigious venues.  "Later this year, we will launch the all-new Focus, which will be the first candidate for the next year award," he added.

Earlier this week Ford Motor Company announced it had moved to a three shift production pattern at its Russian plant in Vsevolozhsk, St. Petersburg. The plant builds Focus and Mondeo models. The all-new Focus goes into production in Russia later this year.