A friend of mine is a relatively senior figure in the UK motor industry. I finally managed to get hold of him today - via email. Here's an extract of why it takes so long for new car deliveries - and not just Ford:

" In the depths of last Autumn the motor industry was in turmoil, this was the time that all the UK importers put their hands up for the number of cars they wanted in 2009. Of course with no sunshine in sight all the manufacturers erred on the cautious side, in one fail swoop reducing the ease of getting a new car.

Subsequently the market improved, mainly due to 'scrappage' putting more pressure on this number. The UK importer would have asked for more cars but planning and tooling takes time for UK cars....Because they are right hand drive, thus no other European 'market' can be raided (except Cyprus)....eg...If France is down and Germany up then some stock can be easily turned....

Thirdly the Scrappage schemes for some of our European friends have produced frankly amazing results, again putting pressure on the available factory space, especially in Germany which is many manufacturers 'home market'.....The UK market is traditionally a poor profit market due to the required changes in left hand drive so whilst supply is short why would you make something that would make you 50p when you can make something that would make you a £1.

The truth is that the factories across Europe are working again to near full capacity, but due to the conservatism of each UK importer (and rightly so at the time) we are slightly out on a limb until more production line space can be found....I would imagine you were surprised how little you got off the car....

However the light at the end of the tunnel is this, Used Values are frankly terrific at the moment and the continued lack of supply means that your Fiesta will not go through the usual jaw dropping first year depreciation, you will find this car (which is also a terrific choice, by the way) will probably prove the cheapest to run over the next three years, that you will ever experience....

So - there you have it - straight from (almost) the top! ;)

This is what I was saying about our RHD cars in the other topic! GAAAAHHH!!!

Good news then if we're thinking of trading in our cars in the first couple of years :)

Well I have been told I have to keep mine for 5 years minimum

Good news then if we're thinking of trading in our cars in the first couple of years :)

Now why would you even consider trading that beauty in Chris? ;)

I was thinking I wouldn't be able to afford a new car in 2 years but may not be as bad.

This is true, used market value seems pretty good, I got a quote over the weekend for my fiesta titanium, and got another quote which is now just under 10 grand for a 9month old 12 k miles on the clock!

I was thinking I wouldn't be able to afford a new car in 2 years but may not be as bad.

Yeah - in 2 years time both the ST and the Cabrio versions will be out! ;)

Yeah - in 2 years time both the ST and the Cabrio versions will be out! ;)

Now might be the time to ask my friendly dealer for a good price on an ST3 perhaps???

Now might be the time to ask my friendly dealer for a good price on an ST3 perhaps???

Janet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Janet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shush.......what are you doing Karen?

Do you want to get me into trouble.............. ;) ;)

Shush.......what are you doing Karen?

Do you want to get me into trouble.............. ;) ;)

Someone needs to stop you

Someone needs to stop you

Are you volunteering.........that's the best offer I've had this year! ;) ;)

:o Speechless

When I eventually get my car (October) - I will keep it for 2 years - possibly 3 at the most - and then I already know which car I will be buying next - no question! I love this!!!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/...oncepts/242670/

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsGallery....42670&EL=-1

:o Speechless

Funny you should say that......are you sure you've not been talking to Mrs Hedgepig?

Maybe I should raise my sights a little higher.......and get a price against the RS!

Funny you should say that......are you sure you've not been talking to Mrs Hedgepig?

Maybe I should raise my sights a little higher.......and get a price against the RS!

Well you never ever know, and the Hedgepig mobil has been reprogrammed so it can't go near your dealership ;)

Well you never ever know, and the Hedgepig mobil has been reprogrammed so it can't go near your dealership ;)

Oh well; there's always next year I suppose. :(

I'd better save the money for our holiday in Turkey coming up shortly; don't suppose Janet would be too impressed if I couldn't treat her to a few nights out on holiday etc.

Seriously though, she deserves it............for having to put up with me! ;)

Oh well; there's always next year I suppose. :(

I'd better save the money for our holiday in Turkey coming up shortly; don't suppose Janet would be too impressed if I couldn't treat her to a few nights out on holiday etc.

Seriously though, she deserves it............for having to put up with me! ;)

Awwwwww that's nice :) You're not all bad after all :P

Hmm, that Ds3.. I uh, don't like it. :(

Hmm, that Ds3.. I uh, don't like it. :(

That's fine - each to their own as they say my old friend. I think it's lovely - very funky & totally different. I currently drive a Citroen C2 VTR which has been fabulous the 3 years I've had it from new - but I fancied something new & bought the Fiesta. I will give Citroen their due & say that they've never been afraid to offer something new - radical even. Good on them too. You see so many boring, dreadful cars on the roads these days that you wonder how they ever made it off the drawing board! I will definately be keeping a close eye on the DS3 though. Marvelous!

When I eventually get my car (October) - I will keep it for 2 years - possibly 3 at the most - and then I already know which car I will be buying next - no question! I love this!!!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/...oncepts/242670/

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsGallery....42670&EL=-1

Nah, I like this one for the playstation generation:

http://www.flixxy.com/citroen-gt-concept-car.htm

Only 5 I think are ever going to be built for around 1.2 mil. Bargain, I'll take one along with my Aston Martin 177!

Back down to earth I like the look of the new Puma based on the Fiesta. And thanks for the thread, it's nice to know why I'm waiting so long.....

What was I saying a few weeks ago. ;)

When I eventually get my car (October) - I will keep it for 2 years - possibly 3 at the most - and then I already know which car I will be buying next - no question! I love this!!!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/...oncepts/242670/

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsGallery....42670&EL=-1

And I thought you had taste Nightowl . . . . clearly the Fiesta is only a passing phase then! :P