Ford unveils the next Focus estate

Ford has been showing off the 2011 model Ford Focus estate at the Geneva Motor Show. It joins the saloon and hatchback versions of the new car, which have previously been shown in North America.

At first sight, the early unveiling of the next Focus appears odd, given that the existing car is still selling so strongly in Europe and won't be replaced here for many months. Ford's explanation is that its Fiesta and Focus are now true world cars that are being rolled out across different markets over a long period, so it will inevitably be the position of showing new models at motor shows well in advance of them going on sale in some territories. In the UK, the estate version accounts for about 10 per cent of sales of the current Focus.