Automotive data experts Polk have declared that the best selling car in the world in 2012 was the Ford Focus, selling more than 1 million.
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It’s a big feather in Ford’s cap and vindication of their ‘One Ford’ global product strategy, which has finally seen Ford realise that the world wants the cars it makes and designs in Europe.
Focus sales rose in the US by 40 per cent in 2012 (a market Ford would have declared completely unsuitable for a relatively compact European hatch a decade ago) and China accounted for a massive one in four of all Focus sold, a rise of 51 per cent, making the Focus the best-selling passenger car in China.
Not only did the Focus take the best selling car (actually, best selling nameplate), the Ford Fiesta did well to, coming in sixth on Polk’s list with a not insignificant 723,130 registrations around the world.
Jim Farley, Ford’s Marketing VP, said:
Focus and Fiesta represent the culmination of our One Ford global product strategy.
Our global products are resonating with consumers – especially in the best-selling, most competitive segments – with their unique combination of fuel efficiency, high quality, rich content and fun-to-drive personalities. Through One Ford, we’re able to bring economies of scale and fantastic value to customers all around the world.
And Jim’s right to be pleased that Ford have done so well with the Focus (and Fiesta). Although it may be worth pointing out that the data seems to be for the best selling ‘Nameplate’, which means the Toyota Corolla, which came in second with 872,774 sales in 2012, may well have been the best selling car if you factor in its other names (the Corolla is sold in Europe as the Auris, for example).
Top Ten Best Selling Cars in the World 2012
- Ford Focus 1,020,410
- Toyota Corolla 872,774
- Ford F-Series 785,630
- Wuling Zhiguang 768,870
- Toyota Camry 729,793
- Ford Fiesta 723,130
- VW Golf 699,148
- Chevrolet Cruze 661,325
- Honda Civic 651,159
- Honda CR-V 624,982
Cars UK says
To be fair, the figures are from independent data analyst Polk, not Ford.
Roger Black says
More Ford lies – first they lie about Fuel Economy, now they lie about Sales. Ford needs to hire some Math graduates to get their credibility back.
Toyota Corolla sold 1.2 million in 2012.