MUST-HAVES
FLOW DOWN® magnetic number plate holders suitable for Ford - frameless
You drive a Ford ST or RS and want the clean look, without visible screws or advertising print on the plate? At FLOW DOWN® you will find vehicle-specific magnetic plate holders suitable for Ford, developed for the hot hatches of the Ford performance range: Focus ST, Focus RS and Fiesta ST in all current generations. Made in Germany, produced in our own workshop in Essen from UV-resistant ASA.
Available Ford models
We currently stock one vehicle-specific holder covering the most popular Ford ST and RS models of the Mk4/Mk8 generation:
Focus ST & RS (Mk4)
- Ford Focus ST Mk4 (from 2019)
- Ford Focus ST Mk4 facelift (from 2022)
- Ford Focus RS - to order
Fiesta ST (Mk8)
- Ford Fiesta ST Mk8 (from 2017)
- Ford Fiesta ST Mk8 facelift (from 2022)
Driving an older ST such as the Focus ST Mk3 or Mk3 facelift? We keep extending the Ford range. In preparation: vehicle-specific holders for the Focus ST/ST-Line Mk3 and Mk3 facelift. Until then our universal holder is the flexible answer - or you drop us a message and we will check the fit individually.
Why the ST front gets its own Ford holder
The Ford ST and RS front ends have a character of their own: far more aggressive intakes, a larger honeycomb section in the lower bumper and, on the Focus Mk4, the typical upper grille opening with the central Ford badge. The plate recess therefore sits differently from a standard Focus or Fiesta. A universal holder does fit - but a vehicle-specific one sits noticeably cleaner in the ST bumper geometry.
We matched our Ford holder precisely to that ST front. On the Mk4 pre-facelift and facelift as well as the Fiesta ST Mk8 the plate mounting position is identical - one holder covers all four versions.
The FLOW DOWN® complete solution for Ford: magnets at the front, hook-and-loop at the rear
On a Ford we recommend a combination for the cleanest result: the vehicle-specific magnetic holder at the front, our FLOW DOWN® hook-and-loop plate holder at the rear.
The reason: on many models Ford uses M6 screw points in the tailgate from the factory, while our magnetic holder is built for M4. At the front the M4 system fits without trouble - and at the tailgate the hook-and-loop holder is the better-looking answer anyway:
Front: magnetic holder
- Vehicle-specific, matched to the ST front
- Bolted into the bumper with the supplied M4 screws
- Plate off in seconds
Rear: hook-and-loop holder
- Completely frameless and invisible
- No drilling - an industrial hook-and-loop system that bonds on
- No visible mounts, no screws, no frame - just your plate
- Removable without residue - suitable for leased cars too
The result: quick magnetic changes with an ST-specific fit at the front, and at the rear about as clean as it gets - no visible fixing, no frame, no screws. Our recommendation for any Ford driver who cares about the look.
→ To the FLOW DOWN® hook-and-loop plate holder
How are the FLOW DOWN® holders fitted to a Ford?
On a Ford the magnets are bolted into the front bumper with M4 screws, at the position of the OEM plate holder. The ASA layer behind the magnet prevents direct contact with the paint. The ASA backing plates are bonded to the back of the plate with 3M VHB tape. The holder is positioned so the typical ST intake structure stays visually clear and the distinctive ST front still reads properly.
The hook-and-loop holder at the rear bonds straight onto the tailgate with an industrial hook-and-loop system - no drilling, no screws. Degrease the surface thoroughly with isopropanol first, then press the system on. Attach the plate to the second half and you are done.
Ford with Co-Pilot360 or parking sensors - does it work?
Yes, without restriction. The FLOW DOWN® holders are designed so that neither the parking sensors nor the Ford Co-Pilot360 systems are affected:
- Parking sensors: they sit to the sides of the bumper, well clear of the plate area - on the Focus ST or Fiesta ST alike. No effect whatsoever.
- Pre-collision assist camera: up by the rear-view mirror - the holder does not touch it.
- Adaptive cruise control radar: usually behind the upper grille rather than directly behind the plate - the holder sits above or beside it.
What to know before buying a Ford holder
- Recommended full setup: magnetic holder at the front, hook-and-loop holder at the rear - the cleanest solution for a Ford.
- Front, rear or set: in the magnetic holder's variant picker choose "front". Order the hook-and-loop holder separately for the tailgate.
- Focus ST Mk4 or Mk4 facelift: both have the same plate mounting - our magnetic holder fits either.
- Focus ST-Line: on the Mk4 the ST-Line shares the plate recess with the ST - the holder fits here too.
- Focus RS: to order. Send us a photo of your front end via WhatsApp and we will check the fit.
- Fiesta ST Mk8 or Mk8 facelift: identical front geometry - one holder for both.
- Plate size: on every Ford both 520 x 110 mm (standard) and 460 x 110 mm (short) fit. Special sport plates on request.
- 3D plates: no problem. The raised areas left by the embossed characters on the back are securely enclosed by our thick 3M tape. We recommend warming the plate briefly with a hair dryer after sticking it on, so the adhesive flows around the rivets and bonds fully.
Advice & fitting at our workshop
Not sure which solution suits your Ford - because you have a modified front with an aero kit, say, or an older Mk3? At our workshop in Essen we advise you in person and can adapt the holder on the car. Book by phone on 0176 76043407 or via WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about Ford magnetic plate holders
Does the holder fit both the Focus ST Mk4 and the Mk4 facelift?
Yes. Ford reworked the front slightly for the Mk4 facelift, but the plate mounting in the bumper stayed the same. Our holder fits both - pre-facelift (from 2019) and facelift (from 2022).
How do I solve the Ford tailgate issue with the M6 screws?
On many models Ford uses M6 screw points in the tailgate from the factory, while our magnetic holder is built for M4. Our recommendation: the vehicle-specific magnetic holder at the front, our FLOW DOWN® hook-and-loop plate holder at the rear. It bonds straight onto the tailgate without drilling - completely frameless, invisible and removable without residue. In our view that looks better than any bolted version.
Does the Ford holder also fit a Fiesta ST Mk8?
Yes. Our Ford holder covers both the Focus ST Mk4 and the Fiesta ST Mk8, in pre-facelift and facelift form. The mounting points at the front are identical on both. For the tailgate we recommend the hook-and-loop holder as the tidy solution.
Do the holders also work with 3D number plates?
Yes. On 3D plates the embossed characters create slight raised areas on the back. Our thick 3M tape encloses them securely and still bonds across the full surface. We recommend warming the plate briefly with a hair dryer after sticking it on - the adhesive then flows around the rivets and reaches full strength.
Does the holder also fit the Focus ST-Line?
Yes. On the Focus Mk4 the ST-Line shares its front bumper geometry with the Focus ST, so our Ford holder fits both the ST and the ST-Line of that generation.
Do you have holders for the older Focus ST Mk3 or Mk3 facelift?
At present our magnetic holder is developed for the Mk4 generation. Vehicle-specific holders for the Focus ST/ST-Line Mk3 and Mk3 facelift are in preparation. Until then our universal holder is the flexible alternative - or our hook-and-loop holder for the frameless solution. Drop us a message via WhatsApp and we can make a custom holder for your Mk3 front if needed.
Does the holder also fit the Focus RS?
The Focus RS has its own RS bumper with additional air intakes. Please send us a photo of your front end via WhatsApp - in many cases our Focus ST holder fits directly; in rare cases we make a custom adaptation in our workshop in Essen.
Does the holder interfere with Ford Co-Pilot360 or the parking sensors?
No. The parking sensors sit to the sides of the bumper, well clear of the plate area, on the Focus ST and Fiesta ST alike. The pre-collision assist camera is up by the rear-view mirror and is not touched. The adaptive cruise control radar sits behind the upper grille, not directly behind the plate.
What is the advantage of the hook-and-loop holder over a magnet at the rear?
The FLOW DOWN® hook-and-loop plate holder bonds straight onto the tailgate without drilling or screws. You see neither frame nor mount - just your plate. On a Ford this is the tidiest solution for the tailgate: invisible, removable without residue (which also suits leased cars) and it holds firmly thanks to the industrial hook-and-loop system.
Can I fit the holder to my Ford myself?
Yes. Fitting the magnetic holder at the front takes about 10 minutes and is straightforward with the enclosed instructions - isopropanol to degrease and a hair dryer to warm the tape are all you need. The hook-and-loop holder at the rear is even simpler: degrease the surface, press the system on, fit the plate. Alternatively, at our workshop in Essen we do it properly.
All brands and model designations named in this shop, such as Ford, Focus ST, Focus RS, Focus ST-Line, Fiesta ST and the associated generation codes (Mk3, Mk4, Mk8, facelift), are used solely to describe the compatibility of our products. FLOW DOWN® is an independent supplier of tuning parts and accessories and is not connected with Ford Motor Company. Legal responsibility for mounting the plate correctly rests with the vehicle keeper.