FORD is reassuring fleet managers that its short supply of common rail diesels is a blip in its busy schedule of product launches. The company planned to launch common rail versions of the Focus and Mondeo in June, but has had to put back the new Mondeo diesel until September because of a shortage of fuel injectors.

A Ford spokesman said: 'We have a tight schedule of 45 new product launches in the next five years, so this kind of thing is bound to happen. The new launch date is not too far down the line.' Peugeot also confirmed the shortage of injectors, and it is working with its supplier, Bosch, to manage supply against demand.

A spokesman for Peugeot said: 'There is a shortage of injectors, which is understandable given the growth in popularity of common rail. There aren't that many recognised suppliers of injectors so we are trying our best to meet the demand.'

Peugeot, Volkswagen Renault and Citroen all have new or revised common rail rivals on the market or due for launch before the Mondeo was first expected to go on sale.