DUNTON, Essex, 29 November, 2019 – Ford is continuing its support of the RNLI by supplying the charity that saves lives at sea with 20 new four-wheel-drive Ford Rangers to support beach patrols across the country.
Ford will ship a total of 210 new vehicles to the RNLI by the end of 2019, followed by a further 150 in 2020 and again in 2021 – including a total of 100 Ford Rangers to act as beach patrol vehicles for its lifeguard service.
Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “We’ve been delighted to supply vehicles to the RNLI this year and support the outstanding work they do to keep the UK coast line safe. We’re really excited to see our Ford Ranger being used as part of their vital beach patrols.”
Ford takes its social responsibility as an industry leader, employer and charity supporter seriously. Ford will be further collaborating with the RNLI throughout 2020 on water safety messages to raise public awareness of risks around the water to help people enjoy coastal and inland waterways more safely.
Nick Saunders, RNLI senior procurement manager, said: “We’re extremely happy with our new fleet of Ford vehicles that are so well-suited to carrying out our life-saving work. We warmly welcome the new Ford Ranger to join our beach patrols and look forward to further collaboration ahead.”
The 2019 fleet of RNLI Fords will include 10 Fiesta, 10 EcoSport, 80 Focus, 10 Kuga, 80 Transit, Transit Connect and Transit Customs plus the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), as well as 20 four-wheel-drive Rangers to be deployed on beach patrols.
About the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,400 lives.
For RNLI media enquiries please contact press_office@rnli.org.uk
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 201,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 54,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 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 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and eight 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.
