July was the third month in succession and fourth month this year the Ford Focus has been the country's No.1 in the new car sales chart. Total sales of the Ford Focus in Britain since its launch late last year now exceed 71,635.

Ford Focus

Photo: Ford

In addition to the continuing success of the Ford Focus, the Ford Fiesta was No.2 in the July market and remains Britain's best-selling car year-to-date with a total of 63,544 sold since the start of the year and 7,901 in July, just 18 units behind the Ford Focus. The Ford Mondeo was Britain's best-selling C/D segment car with sales of 6,456.

Fiat Punto

Photo: Fiat

The new Fiat Punto marks a generation change: the same was true of the Uno as it followed the 127, and the Punto as it followed the Uno. It was not enough to us simply to make changes to the previous model, however deep-seated. Fiat wanted to come up with a new car: with different layout, styling and engineering. The name remains, to honour a car that gave so much satisfaction to so many customers of different tastes, ages, nationalities and professions. More than 3 million motorists throughout Europe in fact.

The Fiat Punto has changed its style. It offers the same comfort, the same driving satisfaction and the same performance in terms of safety and respect for the environment, but these are now packaged as two stylistically different cars: a dynamic 3-door version with an aggressive edge, and a 5-door version with elegant lines where the focus is on space.

The Fiat Punto has changed its content. It is the first car in its segment to adopt a 'Common Rail' turbo diesel engine; the only car to offer an electronically controlled automatic transmission that may also be used as a sequential manual gearbox (offering 7 speeds on the sports version). The only car to offer electric power steering with two operating modes.

Fiat Punto changes the way Fiat perceives compact cars. From now on such cars can compete with higher segment models on their own terms. In terms of safety (a 3-point seat-belt for the fifth passenger and side airbags), in terms of performance (the sports version can unleash 130 bhp), in terms of creature comforts inside the car: satellite navigation system, radio Hi-fi, CD-changer on the facia, timed courtesy lights to make it easier to get out of the car and move away from it, 'intelligent' windscreen wipers and electric windows, seats with memory.

Venture, with its high customer marks for versatility and safety, is enhanced by its association with Warner Bros. The Chevy Venture Warner Bros. Edition is designed to help make family road trips fun and safe.

2000 Chevrolet Venture

Photo: GM

"Chevrolet and Warner Bros. have teamed to make the ultimate family road trip machine - the new Chevy Venture Warner Bros. Edition," said Dan Keller, Chevrolet Venture Brand Manager. Consumers also become part of an ongoing relationship that gives them special access to Warner Bros. entertainment upon purchasing the Venture Warner Bros. Edition. The membership benefits include free videos and compact discs, as well as items not available to the general public such as discounts at Warner Bros. Studio Stores, early access to Six Flags theme parks, sneak previews of Warner Bros. movies and other amenities which are currently being developed.

"With the Chevy Venture Warner Bros. Edition we bring 75 years of entertainment history to the family road trip," said George Jones, President, Worldwide Licensing and Warner Bros. Studio Stores. "Whether going to the grocery store or grandma's house, family travel will be an entertaining experience."