Ford Focus named global best-seller in 2014

Launched in 1998 as a small but perfectly formed vehicle for the masses, the Focus was an immediate success, being named European Car of the Year.

It remains an integral part of the Ford operation, both in Europe and the US, and sells to mass markets as far afield as China.

By 2013, Ford was selling more than two Focus cars every minute, making it the world’s biggest seller, a position it retained in 2014.

One man who can certainly vouch for their reliability is Mick White, who attempted to drive from Ireland all the way to Mongolia in a 1999 Focus with his two Cork pals in aid of charity.

Mick from White’s Cross, Cork, along with George Bolster of Mallow and Ger Kelly of Mahon, took part in the Mongol Rally in July 2014, where participants have to use their survival skills to reach the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator in one piece.

It involves a trek of 10,000 miles, 26 countries, three mountain ranges, two continents, and one desert.

The rules are specific: it must be done in a car that would normally be considered wholly inappropriate and no plane journeys are allowed.

Although the trio never made it to their destination, they had great fun trying. First, they drove to Dublin, got a ferry to London, then a ferry from Dover to Calais in France, and then went overland from there.

The lads chose L’Arche Cork as their charity — a residential and day service for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Their Ford Focus became as much a character in the plot of the adventure as the three heroes.

Mick said: “We had a blip to start in London where we put too much oil in it. We managed to get as far as Luxembourg before it became too much. The main Ford garage in Luxembourg city could not have been better. They gave it the most complete health check ever and wouldn’t take a cent when they heard about the Mongol Rally. They did think we were nuts, mind you!”

The car had its mojo back and got them through central and eastern Europe, passing through the Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, and Georgia.

In south Georgia there was another blip. On a short-cut in the mountains, the road suddenly got bumpy. “We had to get out and push,” recalled Mick. “I’m not going to lie, that was the hairiest of all moments. Eventually we hit Tarmac, we were like fellas dying of thirst seeing an oasis in the desert.”

Now behind schedule and with a Russian visa about to expire, the lads put the foot down in Kazakhstan to get to the Russian border. The Focus took a hammering and a wheel bearing finally gave out. “We were 70 miles to the nearest town, in the middle of nowhere, with no spare bearing — despite being told before we left by our mechanic that it would be a good idea to have a spare. We felt a bit dopey about that,” said Mick.

The lads had to give up and abandon the Focus in north-east Kazakhstan. “She had finally had enough,” said Mick.

They also abandoned hope of reaching Mongolia and ended up getting a flight to Almaty, a city in Kazakhstan, then flying to Frankfurt and on to Dublin.

Mick is determined to get to Mongolia one day. “I’d advise anyone thinking of doing the Mongol Rally to go for it. The adventures you will remember for the rest of your life. I’ll never forget our trusty steed, the Focus. It was as much a character in the adventures as any person.”

Interview: Padraig Hoare