Northern Ireland's motorists bought more new Ford cars than any other make in 2005, official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders confirm.

The Blue Oval was more than 300 cars ahead of its closest competitor in the race for 2005 car market leadership in Northern Ireland. Ford has repeated last year's success when it also lifted the 2004 trophy for most sales.

Ford took two spots in Northern Ireland's 2005 top five selling cars - Focus was second and Fiesta, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, fifth. In a total market for the region of almost 65,000 registrations, Blue Oval-badged models took a share of more than 12 per cent.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain's north region sales director commented: "Market leader is a title we are intent on keeping. Retaining the sales crown in what was a particularly competitive year is very satisfying.

"Ford has made a flying start to an exciting and busy year which will see us launch five new products. The 2006 Ford Fiesta and Fusion now on sale will help us celebrate 30 years of supermini success since the first Fiesta model arrived on Northern Ireland's roads in 1976."