Ford Focus has overtaken the Toyota Corolla, currently sold here as Auris, on Worldwide sales.
Ford sold more than one million examples of its Focus last year.
That's impressive, but there's deeper meaning to the high sales statistic. For the first time, the Focus has overtaken its Japanese rival, the Toyota Corolla, at the top of the global sales charts.
Thanks to the U.S. and Corolla-loving eastern markets, the Japanese compact is a familiar face on top-seller lists but one market in particular has really helped Ford knock the Corolla into second place and that's China.
According to 'The Detroit News', Ford sold almost 300,000 Focus in China last year, after the latest model debuted in March. Ford also still sells the old shape Focus which in China is badged "Classic" Focus.
By the end of 2012, Ford sold a total of 1,020,410 Focus compared to Toyota's 872,774 Corollas, it's an obvious winning margin. Ford even secured itself into third place, with the F-Series truck selling 785,630 examples worldwide.
As if to highlight the importance of the burgeoning Chinese car market to automakers, fourth spot was taken by a model few outside China will have heard of, the Wuling Sunshine. Despite its joyful name, the Sunshine is simply a basic 7-seat minivan with a range of small engines and very little in the way of features but it's typical of the sort of vehicles popular throughout East Asia. At 768,870 units, the Wuling Sunshine is the highest-selling car you've never heard of.
Other best-sellers included the Toyota Camry, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic and Honda CR-V, all of which passed the 600,000 mark.
Will the Corolla take back its highest-selling crown when the new version, here in the UK already sold as Auris, is launched next year? Perhaps, but we wouldn't bet against the Focus topping the 2013 list before then. MG
Very impressive to see the Ford Focus replace the Corolla as a top seller. Makes sense that the Focus would do so well; it's affordable and stylish too.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like one sporty little car. I have been looking for different cars for sale in Rio Grande Valley for my son who is graduating from High School in a few months. Thanks so much for all this great information.
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