The world's best-selling passenger car is…

UPDATE-Ford announced Tuesday the Focus nameplate sold more than 1,020,000 units in 2012 making it the best-selling passenger car in the world.

Data supporting the claim came from Polk's annual vehicle-registration review, which, since it accounts for data from around the globe, comes out three to four months later than other 2012 recap results.

In China, registrations for Focus vehicles were up 51 percent, accounting for nearly one in four global Focus sales, according to Polk.

“Since its launch in China in late March of last year, Focus sales continue to strengthen, with the car now ranking as the best-selling passenger car in China in 2012 for the first time ever,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president, global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln.

Focus registrations in the U.S. were also up by 40 percent compared to 2011.

Ford also fared well with the F-series pickup and subcompact Fiesta -- both nameplates also made the top-10 list of global registrations.

Toyota is disputing Polk's findings and provided the following statement, "Toyota sold 1.16 million Corolla vehicles globally in 2012 compared to 1.02 million Focus nameplate registrations recently attributed to R.L. Polk by Ford Motor Company. Corolla sedan alone sold 1.08 million. Corolla registrations attributed to Polk come up short by nearly 300,000 units. This discrepancy is glaring and we have requested clarification.”

By Sherrice Gilsbach