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The Ford Fiesta was declared Britain's Best Supermini for the third consecutive year at last night's Auto Express New Car Awards. The new Ford Focus also made its mark with the top selling weekly motoring magazine by winning the Special Award for its advanced driver assistance features.
The Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus have been Britain's number one and two bestsellers every month so far this year. The Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus both secured increased sales and market share in June, compared with June 2010.
Graham Hope, Acting Editor, Auto Express said: "Once again, the Fiesta has demonstrated its superiority in the supermini sector. The Ford’s head-turning looks, boldly designed cabin and sparkling chassis have all helped secure a remarkable third consecutive victory in this closely fought category."
Ford Fiesta – Best Supermini
When it first drove out of Ford dealer showrooms in October 2008, the award-winning Ford Fiesta signalled a new era in small car design, performance and functionality. Available in three- and five-door bodystyles and a range of fuel-efficient powertrains, it shot up to the top of the sales charts within four months to become the best-selling car in the UK and Auto Express's Car of the Year 2009 and Best Supermini in 2010.
Anthony Ireson, marketing director, Ford of Britain said: "This is an important award for the Fiesta as it endorses this latest generation for customers looking for great style, driving dynamics and a wide choice of models and engines.
The Fiesta line-up has evolved during its short life to include a 95g/km ECOnetic engine which means that five of the available engines today emit less than 130g/km of CO2 and are thereby exempt from vehicle excise duty in their first year."
Three quarters of Fiesta buyers opt for the mid and high series with five-door petrol engines being the most popular. The most sought after colour is Panther Black and the favourite option is voice control, Bluetooth and USB.
Ford Focus – Special Award
Also presented on the Auto Express Awards stage last night, was a trophy for the all-new Ford Focus and its Driver Assistance Pack. The Ford Focus features an innovative digital camera system which supports seven driver assistance features that help deliver improved confidence and safety behind the wheel.
Graham Hope, Acting Editor, Auto Express said: "This year’s Special Award has been handed to the Ford Focus because it puts the kind of high-tech safety kit you expect to find on expensive executive cars within the reach of the motoring masses. Its innovative Driver Assistance Pack breaks fresh ground in the family sector by including a raft of potentially life-saving features at a surprisingly low price."
Anthony Ireson added: "The all-new Focus is the first Ford to offer six driver assistance features based on an advanced digital camera system. With parking and other safety aids, the all-new Focus is grabbing a lot of attention. The Auto Express Special Award is recognition that driver assistance is fast becoming the most sought after feature in the market."
Mounted next to the rear view mirror, the forward facing digital camera captures a view of the road ahead which is analysed by a sophisticated on-board computer. The information from the camera can then be used to support the driver by helping them to stay safely in lane, remain alert at the wheel, monitor the latest traffic signs and operate headlamp high beam, for example.
Priced at just £750, the Driver Assistance Pack includes:
Traffic Sign Recognition
This technology identifies different traffic signs and can display two different signs on the instrument panel. It flashes when the car is over the speed limit.
Auto High Beam
This clever night driving-aid, which works with automatic headlights switched on, temporarily dips the headlights when it detects oncoming traffic or another vehicle up ahead. Then it automatically returns them to high beam.
Active City Stop
This system is designed to assist in slow moving traffic and at speeds under 20 mph. If its sensors detect the car in front has unexpectedly stopped, the car applies the brakes automatically.
Lane Departure Warning
This alerts the driver before they drift out of lane by vibrating the steering wheel. The level of vibration can be adjusted to three levels of sensitivity and a visual alert appears in the driver information cluster.
Lane Keeping Aid
If there is a slow reaction or no response to the Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid will apply gentle steering input to help the car stay in the correct lane.
Driver Alert
This is designed to constantly monitor driving behaviour and detect any deviation caused by driver fatigue. A warning icon then appears in the display suggesting the driver takes a break.
Blind Spot Information System
Using radar sensors, the Blind Spot Information System is designed to see things that the driver might not – vehicles hidden in blind spots. If the sensor detects a car in the blind spot, an orange light in the door mirror alerts the driver to other vehicles coming | 
