THEY often say that timing can be everything.
Indeed if this is the case then Ford has played an absolute blinder - possibly without even knowing it!
Business Secretary Peter Mandleson revealed last week a financial rescue package to help Britain's ailing automotive industry.
Part of the deal involved an investment of more than £1 billion being made into the development of more eco-friendly vehicles.
Whether the move was designed to appease the Green brigade is not entirely clear but monies will subsequently be available to encourage a new breed of low emission cars.
Little did the Government know when it announced the move that the Blue Oval badge would be among the first to pay a visit with the begging bowl.
Ford, you see, has already developed what is widely accepted as Britain's greenest family car - a claim verified by independent analysists.
The Fiesta ECOnetic has already sparked enormous interest even before it officially arrives in dealership showrooms up and down the country.
Orders for more than 500 have already been placed and this is expected to increase further as its enormous benefits hit home.
The system which allows drivers to squeeze even more out of a tankful thanks to a series of fuel efficiency refinements is not new.
It was originally introduced to the Focus last January and then adopted on the Mondeo six months later.
So, it was hardly surprising that the Ford hierarchy decided to extend this programme to the all-new award-winning Fiesta which was the best-selling car in December.
The ECOnetics subtle but effective efficiency refinements combine to achieve unrivalled fuel economy and emissions.
The modifications include the lowering of the Fiesta's suspension, aerodynamic body styling and, for the first time, a smart gear change indicator.
A marker in the instrument panel senses the way the vehicle is being driven as well as take into account the road gradient, vehicle load and individual driving style.
With all this information to hand it flashes up when the driver should change gear to gain the most out of a gallon.
The end result is quite staggering to say the very least.
Powered by the already super efficient 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine offering 90PS it allows the Fiesta to achieve more than 88 miles on an extra urban cycle.
Even the combined figure of more than 76 miles would more than delight most motorists as well as their bank managers.
But it is not just the fuel savings that are impressive as the hatchback boasts a CO2 emissions of 98 g/km.
This means that Ford now has more than 50 models emitting under 120 g/km to allow them to qualify for a lower tax bracket.
Automotive environmental specialists Cleangreencars.co.uk comfirmed the Fiesta's ranking as the greenest family car.
Publisher Jay Nagley said: "We welcome any car that sets a new benchmark for the industry.
"That the Fiesta ECOnetic does so without any loss of driving pleasure makes the new model doubly welcome.
"Of the 3500 production models ranked by CO2 on Cleangreencars.co.uk the Fiesta comes out top among five-seater cars."
Voted Scottish Car of the Year the Ford supermini impressed the judges with its unrivaled driving dynamics.
Offering excellent ride and handling the ECOnetic - which will cost £12,445 - now pushes the merits of the Fiesta even further.
Normally the so-called green-cars are often as dull as a broadcast from any of the political parties.
But I have to say that I was greatly impressed by the ultra-clean Fiesta - and this is not entirely down to my upbringing for value for money!