THE FORD FOCUS JOINS THE KA AND PUMA AS A DESIGN COUNCIL MILLENNIUM PRODUCT

Brentwood, - The Ford Focus - European "Car Of The Year 1999" - has been named a Millennium Product by the Design Council.

The Ford Focus features among 201 pioneering products and services that have been selected by a panel of judges from industry, design and the media as being "forward-thinking, challenging, creative and innovative."

"The Ford Focus' attainment of Millennium Product status is a great honour to Ford's British design and engineering talent," said Ian McAllister, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain. "With sales of over 200,000 throughout Europe, and the car also taking the top sales position in Britain during the busy registration plate-change month of March, Focus proves excellence in design can also make for great market success."

The Ford Focus was commended by the Design Council's judging panel for "its ground breaking innovative design and outstanding ergonomics that provide motorists and passengers with a thoroughly modern car for the new millennium".

The success of the Ford Focus in this latest announcement brings Ford's total number of Millennium Products to five - confirming Ford as one of the most innovative companies in Britain.

In addition to the Ford Focus, the Ford Ka and Ford Puma received Millennium status last year, with further accolades being achieved by Ford and the University of Southampton for two plastics identifiers for use in recycling of vehicle components. The Jaguar V8 engine manufactured at the Bridgend Engine Plant in South Wales was also given Millennium Product status in 1998.

Millennium Products earn the right to carry a special marque denoting their success. Many of the products will be showcased around the world as examples of British design excellence at trade shows and exhibitions, and some will be featured in the Millennium Dome.