Ford Sells 500,000th Russian Focus Before New Model's Launch

The guy that bought the 500,000th Ford Focus ever sold in Russia must be tormented by mixed feelings right now. Should he be happy, because he purchased an anniversary model (with nothing special on it, really), or should he feel sad, because he bought the old Focus right on the eve of the launch of the greatly improved version of the model.

Of course, it may very well be that the guy in St. Petersburg that bought the car is a true fan of the soon to be old generation. If that's so, he got himself a glimmering red hatch, equipped with a 1.8l engine and a front end that will not disappear from public conscious anytime soon.

“This milestone shows how far we have come in Russia in the past 12 years,” said Mark Ovenden, president and managing director, Ford of Russia. “We are very proud the Focus is the most popular foreign branded vehicle ever with Russian customers. And now as we prepare to introduce the all-new Focus, we expect the Focus to reach new heights in Russia.”

Ford's hopes for the new Focus are high on the Russian market. Taking the opportunity to remind us all that, when it entered the market in 1999, it only sold 47 models, Ford points to a much greater sales target for the new generation: perhaps as many as 97,060, the record number which it reached in 2007. The new model will enter the Russian market next month.

“The new Focus will once again redefine what Russian consumers can expect of a volume car," added Ovenden .