Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the leading provider of consumer information regarding new and used cars in the U.S., compiled its list of the 10 greenest cars in order to mark Earth Day on April 22nd 2013. It picked three of Ford’s most popular cars:

1. Ford Focus Electric 2013
Touted by Ford in the U.S. as the most fuel-efficient passenger car, the new Ford Focus Electric scored highest in the green cars list, coming in at number 3. The Ford Focus Electric offers the equivalent of 110mpg and runs entirely on battery power.

2. Ford C-Max Energi
With an estimated 100mpg and a total range of 620 miles (electric-only range of 21 miles), as well as its SmartGauge with EcoGuide feature to help drivers optimise hybrid performance, the C-Max Energi deserves its spot at number 6 in the Best Green Cars of 2013 top ten.

3. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 2013
This all-new model, designed by Ford cars, squeaked its way into the top ten (coming in at number 10) thanks to its EPA-certified 45mpg specification, as well as the SmartGauge with EcoGuide feature also found in the C-Max.

Seemingly though, as last year’s figures roll in, the Focus serves only to dethrone its little brother, the Ford Fiesta, which held the title of biggest used seller since 2007, a record five years. 2012 though entirely belongs to the Focus, and with its range of modern features, the sleek and sporty yet functional aesthetic and that palpable drivability that the car has become famous for, there’s little wonder as to why the vehicle continually achieves these first place prizes. Indeed, whilst used Fiesta sales rose by 1%, and the Vauxhall Corsa enjoyed a similar increment, the Focus leaped a staggering 4% to land in the top spot.

6,743,080 used cars were sold last year and whilst the Focus sat atop the pile, the same could not be said for its category. The segment with the largest growth was undoubtedly the SUV subsection, increasing by a hefty 5.2%. Of course, Ford have recently entered into this increasingly popular market with the new Kuga.

Here at Matlock Ford, we have a whole range of used Ford cars for sale, featuring various Focus models, a range of Fiestas, Mondeos (which placed ninth in the top ten used car sales) and many more. We’ve stocked up the site complete with the latest cars, pictures and all the information you could need to know, so why not have a browse through, find one you like and before you know it, you’ll be driving away and enjoying all the benefits of the top selling used car of 2012!

The study, carried out by researchers from the car magazine Auto Express, looked at the cost of buying and fuelling a popular family car for a year in 15 different countries. They chose a Ford Focus 1.6 as their example of a popular family car, as both new and used Ford Focus cars are incredibly popular amongst drivers with families in Europe.

The researchers found that the average cost of buying a new Ford Focus in the UK is £13,995. With the cost to fuel it for an average amount of use over 12 months added on, the total cost is £15,246. This was less than the total cost in other countries:

• In Germany, the total running cost is £15,384
• In France, the total cost is £16,857
• In Spain, the total cost is £17,130

The very cheapest place to buy and run a Ford Focus was revealed as Russia, where it costs just £12,031. The most expensive, at £19,751, is the Philippines.

A spokesperson for Ford cars said that the Focus might be a global car, but not every model is the same in every country. This makes it hard to compare the cost of buying a Focus in different countries like-for-like very difficult.

Although no specific details have been officially released by Ford, the new Focus RS is expected to have a new turbocharge, four-cylinder, 2.3 litre engine, as well as Revoknuckle front suspension, a sportier-looking cabin and improved brakes and tyres.

Speaking to Autocar, the vice president of product development for Ford Europe, Barb Samardzich did not officially confirm that a new RS is in production, although others at Ford have said that a new model will be ready by 2015. However, Samardzich did discuss the manufacturer’s ‘One Ford’ strategy, which will enable the company to develop Ford cars for global sale using as many parts in common as possible. She said:

“We’ve concentrated on developing cars for world markets, and you can see the result of that with the Edge and Mustang scheduled to come to Europe, and the Fiesta and Focus in the US. Our ‘One Ford’ policy has succeeded in pushing our mainstream products further than ever, and the next step is to provide customers with more exemplary, smaller-volume highlight products. Planning doesn’t just have to be about the mainstream now; we can go to the edges again.”

In the near future, Ford will introduce the Ford Focus Electric, Ford C-MAX Energi and Fusion models to around 700 more dealerships across the 50 states of the U.S. This will bring the total offering electric Ford cars from 200 (recorded in November 2012) to 900.

Sales of electric Ford cars in the U.S. have been steady in the last few months, but the manufacturer is enjoying more success in the hybrid car market. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, in particular, has a 16 per cent share of the electric car market and is the second best seller after Toyota electric vehicles.

Ford’s electrified vehicle marketing manager CJ O’Donnell has expressed a desire to capitalise on Ford’s momentum in the electric car market. He said:

“Research indicates that 60% of new vehicle shoppers are considering hybrid products. With this demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, early sales of Ford’s five electrified vehicles has been phenomenal, creating a tremendous amount of excitement among our dealers,”

Yes our beloved manufacturer broke records by doing the quadruple and taking home an astonishing four awards; the most the company has ever taken home from the event! So what exactly did they win and why?

Mondeo Mayhem

The dexterity of the Mondeo has long been one of its most notable features, providing for families in every imaginable way the country over; delivering that roomy interior and boot space, whilst simultaneously being a comfortable and affordable solution. That in mind then, it’s no wonder the vehicle retained its title as the UK’s Best Family Car. Not happy with a single award though, the Mondeo also swooped in to take Best Estate for the third year running.

Fiesta Fortitude

It’s volume sale time for the new Fiesta right now, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have time to pop into the What Car Awards and pick up its trophy for Best Supermini. As a car that keeps on getting better, that with every iteration it provides something new whilst retaining all the qualities of the one prior to it, there’s little surprise when the sales figures roll in with a huge 14% rise in 2012. The vehicle’s better engine, primed new safety measures and beautiful 2013 facelift ensure this year will be another fiesta for the Fiesta.

A Fiery Focus

The Ford Focus ST is one of the sportiest cars you’ll see out on the roads of the UK today, delivering all the comfort and accessibility you’d want to get jobs done around town, whilst providing the speed and excitement that motorways and country roads incur when you’re out and about again. With a turbo-charged direct-injection 2.0 litre Ecoboost engine that returns an astonishing 39mpg, there’s little wonder that Focus ST is doing so well today. What Car, it seems, vigorously agree, as they awarded it Best Hot Hatch at this years’ event!

For more from all these high-flying, award-winning stars, call us at Matlock Ford today!

Cars have gradually been getting quieter as automotive engineering improves year after year, and many car manufacturers are investing in technology that can make cars run more quietly as well as smoothly.

However, Ford is taking a different direction with its new Ford Focus. The manufacturer has decided to pump engine noise in whenever the driver steps on the accelerator, in an attempt to put the ‘roar’ back into driving.

Bjoern Boettcher, a vehicle sound quality expert for Ford Cars in Europe, explains more about the new addition to the new Ford Focus:

“Focus ST drivers want to hear the engine sing when they put their foot on the gas,”

“Our cars are engineered to be quiet inside the cockpit, so we have to pull out a few tricks to give enthusiastic drivers the sound they crave — and that’s where our Sound Symposer comes in.”

Only time will tell whether the vehicle’s new engine noise will impress drivers, and one of the real tests will be the popularity of used Ford Focus cars once the new model has been out for a few years.

Consider these factors and choose your family’s ideal Ford:

1. Saloon or hatchback? People think that a saloon, such as a used Ford Mondeo 4-door saloon, for example, will offer the most room for a family. However, you will often find that hatchbacks have the largest boot, perfect for pushchairs.

2. Wide opening doors. Many Ford cars have wide-opening doors, which is especially important for parents trying to get children in and out of the back of the car.

3. MPVs and people carriers. For larger families, the best choice may be a used Ford Galaxy or S-Max, which offers the most amount of space.

4. Safety. Safety is always a big concern when buying a family car. The Ford Focus and B-Max have both been awarded five-star Euro NCAP safety ratings, so one of these may be the one to go for.

This depreciation does not mean that what is available on the second hand market is not high quality. It is frequently is, especially when you are talking about cars that are only two or three years old. As a result, you may be able to start looking at some very cool cars that might not be on your radar if they were brand new.

Think about a sporty Ford Focus as an example. Your brand new budget may only stretch to something more modest and run of the mill. However, the same budget might get you a cool sporty version of the Focus for you to take genuine pride in when you are driving.

This is something that is very much accentuated on the second hand market where the price of vehicles obviously drops sharply and quickly. A three year old Ford Focus is likely to cost much less on the second hand market than it will on the brand new market and it will only just be arriving at its very first MOT test.

This is why the Ford Focus enjoys a very strong level of performance on the used market. Used Ford cars in general perform very well on the used market as a result of their general reliability and quality, but the Ford Focus is seen as a genuine bargain if you can get one second and at a discounted price.