FORD FIESTA IS CROWNED NORTHERN CAR OF THE YEAR

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Ford Fiesta is turning heads in England’s higher latitudes, with the car named "Northern Car of the Year 2009" by the Northern Group of Motoring Writers.

Fiesta’s no-compromise package of style, large-car features, driver appeal and class-leading practicality and ownership costs saw it surge ahead of all competitors, to return the title to Ford after Mondeo’s victory in 2007.

Northern Group Chairman, Mike Torpey, said: “The new Fiesta is a real head-turner and a great drive, but even more than that, it gives good, honest value for money. It’s a winner in every way.”

The Northern Car of the Year award is voted for by members of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers, who selected Fiesta as the winner from 23 nominated entries.

The Northern Car of the Year Award is Fiesta’s 10th accolade across Europe, since its launch in September 2008. Fiesta is the UK’s best-selling car by far – almost 15,000 ahead of its closest competitor, year-to-date – and is Ford's most popular option in the government’s scrappage scheme, with over 5,500 orders to date.

The new Fiesta range was recently completed with the launch of the 1.4-litre automatic, bringing Fiesta style to a new group of customers and pointing the way to even more sales.