Ford breaks Lancia's winning record

Jari-Matti Latvala's victory on Rally New Zealand was Ford's 75th at World Championship level and makes it the most successful manufacturer in the history of the sport - smashing Lancia's record of 74 which has stood since 1992.

Lancia amassed its 74 wins between 1974 and 1992 - with the first and last coming on the Italian firm's home round in Sanremo.

Ford's tally of 75 victories began at the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland in 1973 - the year the World Rally Championship was founded,

Seventeen high profile drivers have contributed to Ford's record effort. They are Timo Mäkinen, Hannu Mikkola, Roger Clark, Bjorn Waldegard, Kyosti Hamalainen, Ari Vatanen, Didier Auriol, François Delecour, Miki Biasion, Gianfranco Cunico, Tommi Mäkinen, Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae, Markko Märtin, Marcus Grönholm, Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.

The most successful drivers are current BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally team lead pilot Mikko Hirvonen and fellow Finn Marcus Gronholm with 12 victories.

"This is a landmark achievement of which everyone at Ford rightly can be proud," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO. "Ford has a long and illustrious motorsport heritage, especially in rallying where our participation dates back more than 70 years. We were involved in WRC when it began in 1973 and it remains Ford's major global motorsport activity."

Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe's motorsport chief, said: "Twenty different manufacturers have enjoyed the prestige of a WRC event victory. Ford is fortunate enough to have stood on the top step of the podium on 75 occasions. The legendary Escort, the Sierra and now the Focus, which is still winning in its 12th and final season as Ford's WRC challenger, have all contributed to a remarkable record and I hope there are many more wins to come."

Top five WRC manufacturers ranked by rally wins (after Rally New Zealand 2010)

1. Ford: 75
2. Lancia: 74
3. Citroen: 63
4. Peugeot: 48
5. Subaru: 47