A product of a combined European design strategy, the conventional and durable Escort was released for sale in the UK in early 1968 and soon became one of the most popular cars in the UK. Initial models were only available as a 2 door saloon, but by the time it reached its mk3 guise in 1980 it became FWD, gained a hatchback and was offered in a variety of powerful engines. The Escort name lived until 2000, when superseded by the all new Focus.