Ford set to build more cars in Mexico

By 2018 Ford will have shifted production of its next-generation compact cars from its Wayne sited assembly plant in Michigan to Mexico in the next couple of years.

Ford outpaces Euro industry growth

As Nissan in the UK highlights its sales success in Europe (see below) total sales of Ford vehicles in its 20 traditional European markets totalled 88,700 in January, an increase of 9.8 per cent on the same period last year.

More three cylinder engines

Peugeot and Renault are expected to reveal further details of their next-generation three-cylinder engines at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

With three cylinders now much in vogue, both French automakers will be vying for attention in the small-car stakes.

Bridgend to build 1.5-litre EcoBoost

Ford has named its Bridgend Engine Plant as a further location to source its new 1.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine.

In parallel with the news, Ford has announced a £24 million investment in the facility, £12 million of which will be provided by the Welsh Government in the form of a ‘support package’.

The investment will bring valuable work to machine tool companies and equipment suppliers. Ford adds that the investment will also ‘help safeguard and create high-quality production and engineering jobs in Wales’.

Ford tops Polk charts

Sales of the Ford Focus totalled 1,020,410 in 2012 according to Polk global market registration data making it the world’s best-selling vehicle overall.

Polk also confirmed the Ford Fiesta as the best-selling sub-compact car globally with registrations of 723,130 in 2012.

The Ford Fiesta and Focus are the UK’s one and two best-sellers providing the foundation for Ford’s UK car sales leadership which the company claims it has held for 36 consecutive years.