Ford ended 2010 as the number one car seller once again, and with the current line-up of models and a new Mondeo and Focus on the way, all the indications are that its performance will be repeated this year.

The Fiesta is a big seller in the super-mini class with thrifty 1.25-litre petrol and 1.4-litre turbodiesel engines, and while the current Focus is a class leader in the family segment, the new model is flagged as being bigger and even better in its driving dynamics.

So what does the refreshed Mondeo bring to the table for Ford this year? Pricing, new engines and added technology are the order of the day. The entry-level four-door Style comes with a two-litre 115bhp turbodiesel engine that replaces the 1.8-litre engine which put out 100bhp and it sells for €25,975, a drop from €26,650 which was the price tag on the outgoing model. More power for less money is a rare but welcome development. Add about €550 for the five-door version.

There is more good news on the money front. With good engine management, all Mondeo six-speed manuals have cut CO2 output down to 139g/km which means that the Mondeo, which straddles the family/executive segment of the market, incurs low VRT rates. The three power output units – 115, 140 and 160 bhp – are now all in tax Band B which means €156 annual road tax.

The big seller is expected to be the 140bhp which develops 320Nm of torque. In a test in the top of the line Titanium trim model (€32,615), it showed enough power to give a gutsy drive without too much gear-changing.

While Ford claims a possible 5.3L/100km in fuel consumption, test figures varied between 8L/100km and 10L/100km. In fairness to the Mondeo it was driven in the worst weather conditions we have had for many years so low-gear driving and lots of idling in stagnant traffic used of lots of fuel.

Speaking of bad weather, the Mondeo handled extremely well in the Arctic conditions on the east coast and passed scores of Mercedes Benz and BMW drivers red-faced with fury as their much more expensive chariots became stranded at the base of very moderate inclines.

Sturdy and safe with seven airbags and an excellent braking system, the Mondeo gives you a lot of car for the money. Driving position is good but at the top level of trim the driver's seat' which has electric height adjustment' should also have a forwards-backward mode to eliminated awkward fiddling under the seat for the release bar. Another niggle is the added cost of the powershift automatic transmission . At €37,215 it is €4,600 over the manual version which seems very steep even if the new technology make for seamless gear-changing with no fuel penalty.

The entry-level Style comes with 15" alloy wheels, air conditioning, heated windscreen and door mirrors, height adjustable driver's seat, Bluetooth voice control, seven airbags, a good entertainment system and an alarm – well kitted out at €25,975.

The mid-range Zetec, which starts at €29,615, adds 17" alloys, front and rear parking sensors, dual zone automatic climate control, four electric windows and cruise control with speed limiter.

The Titanium, starting at €32,615, adds LED daytime running lights, an upgraded Sony sound system with premium speakers, sports-style front seats, leather, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers and an upgraded alarm system.

There are lots of options available such as blind spot information, a lane departure system, a rear-view camera and automatic high and low beams.

Car sales show 54% rise in 2010

Car sales rose by 54% last year with Ford claiming the title of top seller for the 3rd year in succession capturing almost 13% of the overall market, ahead of Toyota and VW. The Government scrappage scheme was an important factor accounting for almost 1 in 5 sales, or over 17,000 cars.

Total cars sales rose to 88,000 compared to 58,000 in 2009. Ford sales rose by 38% to 11,000, with Toyota, VW and Renault the other brands to record double-digit market share.

"Encouraged by a combination of scrappage and attractive offers, 30,000 more people bought new cars last year than in 2009," said Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director, of Ford Ireland. "This was a much needed fillip to an industry after a catastrophic 2009."

"Despite the gloomy outlook, I foresee similar sales, of ca. 85,000, for 2011, as more people need to change their aging cars and great deals continue."

The van market, often seen as a harbinger of economic activity, rose by 10% in 2010.

Ford was also the leading commercial vehicle brand with 18% of the market.