It was later identified "almost certainly" as an illuminated airship advertising the Ford Mondeo car.

BBC: UFO files show 'close encounter'

In China Ford recently reported September sales growth of 6% year-over-year in Ford-branded passenger cars led by Ford Mondeo.

FORBES: China Drives Ford Stock To $14

His Ford Mondeo had been found burnt out near a farm in Yaxley at 21:00 GMT and he was reported missing at 22:40 GMT.

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After debuting in North America last fall, the Fusion recently went on sale in China and will soon be launched in Europe (as the Ford Mondeo).

FORBES: Ford's Global Ambitions Include Turning The World's Plastic Bottles Into Car Parts

In October witnesses had reported seeing Mr Brittain being bundled into a black Ford Mondeo in Clarendon Way, Colchester, and driven away from the scene.

BBC: Andre Vella (left) and Jack Hummerstone

The prime minister gets an armour-plated Daimler, the deputy prime minister a Jaguar, cabinet ministers a Rover 800 or Vauxhall Omega and junior ministers (poor things) a Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra or Nissan Primera.

ECONOMIST: Oiling the wheels

The police watchdog continues to appeal for information from anyone who saw a red Ford Mondeo travelling the wrong direction on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 near the Christchurch Road motorway bridge at around 0315 BST.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | Five M4 crash victims are named

Union representative Luc Prenen said that Ford would transfer production of the new versions of the Mondeo and S-MAX marques to its plant in Valencia in Spain.

BBC: Ford confirms plans to close Belgian factory

A-class is as short as Ford's small Fiesta, but has the roominess of the much bigger Mondeo.

ECONOMIST: Car safety