Ford Media Center

Ford Hits Competition for Six at VansA2Z Awards

BRENTWOOD, Essex, UK, March 27, 2014 – Ford’s market-leading commercial vehicle range has scooped six major trophies at the 2014 VansA2Z Awards, including the overall Van of the Year title with the all-new Transit.

The all-new Ford Transit was crowned Van of the Year and claimed victory in the Large Panel Van of the Year category, while the all-new Ford Transit Custom secured Diesel Eco Van of the Year and, for the second year running, the Small Panel Van of the Year title.  Ford’s all-new Transit Connect – International Van of the Year 2014 – was voted Light Van of the Year and the Ford Fiesta Van claimed Small Van of the Year for the second consecutive year.

This record number of awards for Ford eclipses last year’s five-medal haul and a hat-trick of accolades the year before that. It is a result of Ford’s significant global investment into the all-new four-vehicle Transit family – introduced to UK customers in just 18 months.

David Gregory, chief programme engineer, Ford global commercial vehicles, said: “Ford has invested heavily into its all-new commercial vehicle range, resulting in modern aesthetics, innovative design features and the latest in high-tech, low-CO2 powertrains. Credit for these latest accolades must go to the many Ford designers, engineers and vehicle testing staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver such revolutionary products.”

The majority of the design and engineering work on the new Ford commercial vehicle range was conducted at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre, Essex – the global centre of excellence for the company’s commercial vehicles and powertrain development.

Neil McIntee, VansA2Z editor, said: “We’re delighted to award the all-new Transit Best Large Panel Van and the overall Van of the Year title. Ford has continued to raise the bar in the commercial vehicle market, with the introduction of Transit Custom, Transit Connect and new Transit – all of which boast dynamic looks, are superb to drive, and loaded with practical Ford technology and functional design features. At the moment, the Ford range is untouchable.”

Ford has almost completed the transformation of its entire commercial vehicle range, introducing four new models – Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom and next generation Transit – by the summer of 2014.  
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Notes to editors

  • Held at The Oval cricket ground in Surrey, the awards were decided by a panel of judges from the VansA2Z editorial team.  
  • VansA2Z is a free-to-use site providing a fully comprehensive specification list for all vans and light trucks on sale in the UK. For each model range there is an independent appraisal and video road test along with the latest news.

About Ford of Europe

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 67,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.co.uk

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