Page "Ford Laser" Paragraph 84

In New Zealand, the Laser was sold as both a hatchback and sedan, and was later assembled alongside the Mazda 323 at the Vehicle Assemblers of New Zealand ( VANZ ) plant in Wiri, Auckland in a joint venture between Ford New Zealand and Mazda.

The KC / KE Laser wagon was also assembled locally, alongside its Mazda 323 equivalent, until 1996.

When the plant closed in 1997, Ford dropped the Laser and introduced the Ford Escort hatchback and sedan, having already introduced the Escort wagon.

It later reintroduced the Laser in 1999, and was not replaced by the Focus until 2003.