Five of the best

Only five different car models have topped the sales charts in the UK since 1965 with a single manufacturer dominating the top spot since 1972.

Four of Ford's models have traded places as the best-selling car in the UK every year since then, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

And last year was no exception, with Ford again comfortably leading the sales tables with its Focus hatchback model. The Focus headed the best seller list in 11 months of 2004, ending the year with a 5.5% market share.

The only other manufacturer to head the best sellers list, Austin, went downhill fairly swiftly after being knocked from its perch in 1971. Austin's 1100/1300 was best-sellers for six of the seven years from 1965 to 1971, before the Ford Cortina took over as the UK's top-seller from 1972 until 1981.

The models at the top and the years they out-sold all comers:

• Austin1100/1300: 1965-66; 1968-71
• Ford Cortina: 1967; 1972-81
• Ford Escort: 1982-89; 1992-95
• Ford Fiesta: 1990-91; 1996-98
• Ford Focus: 1999-2004

The diesel Focus was also the best-selling diesel model in 2004, followed by another Ford, the Mondeo, and the VW Golf. Date posted: 11-01-2005