Ford ups prices

If you're buying a Ford you'd better get it before December as the company has just announced an average price rise of 2.7 per cent across its model range. Ford blames the increase on the continued weakness of the pound, claiming that, since 2007, the UK currency has devalued by over 30 percent.

"To combat the continuing weakness of the pound against the Euro, Ford has reduced costs across its entire UK business, including personnel reductions in its central operation and across its dealer network," said Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain managing director.

"However, price increases are still required to maintain a viable business and to recover relative cost increases caused by the weakness of the pound over an extended period."

The change will see prices rise by around £250-£500 on Fords' most popular models: the Ka, Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, Kuga and Mondeo, while the S-Max and Galaxy models increase by £600. The raised sticker prices will apply to orders received after November 30, though fast Ford fans will be unaffected as the Focus RS's price is unchanged.

Kyle Fortune