Ford's C-Max range is much in demand

The C-Max has taken 21% of what Ford calls multi-activity vehicle (MAV) sales in the UK.

It has also increased its sales and share in June and for the first half of 2013, compared with the same periods in 2012. Dealers are taking on stock and customers are taking Ford up on its PCP deals, one of which offers the Grand C-Max with a 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine for £229 a month, free metallic paint and family pack which adds sun blinds, seat trays and reading lights.

The Ford brand is one families will immediately turn to when on the lookout for a car they know will be well made, reliable and up to the job.

The reason so many people opt for the Fiesta isn’t just because they’re all just mindless sheep following popular opinion (though there is an element of that), but Ford produces some top notch products.

The strength of the brand must make things that little bit easier for dealers too, knowing that the C-Max will already by on the consideration lists for customers.

The Titanium trim and a powerful 2.0-litre diesel is a great combination too, specifically with the smooth changing dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Having thoroughly tested the rival gearbox from Volkswagen, the Ford transmission is great for letting the car do all the work, something essential for the type of customers that will be considering this car.

VW’s DSG transmission is slightly more intuitive with how it magically guesses what gear you’re looking for, whether overtaking or rolling before jumping into a gap at a roundabout. It’s unfair to compare AM’s long-term Mercedes-Benz A-Class on its own auto box as it’s not a like-for-like size comparison, but the C-Max transmission is far smoother in comparison to the rather jerky A-Class.