FORD is understood to have shelved plans to build a Focus-based rival for Vauxhall's Zafira. Industry sources claim the project was halted because development engineers had failed to come up with an upstaging alternative to General Motors' unique seven-seater Flex-7 system fitted to Zafira.

A Ford spokesman said: 'A multi-activity vehicle was just one of several ideas in the Focus melting pot, but we have never attached any timescale to it. ' Development work is still going ahead on cabriolet and Cosworth Focus spin-offs. The manufacturer has also dashed rumours that the Galaxy is to cease production, alongside Volkswagen Sharan and SEAT Alhambra. A face-lifted Galaxy is expected at next month's Geneva Motor Show.