DUNTON, U.K., Dec. 16, 2020 – Ford Transit and Transit Custom are two of the top-performing vans for active safety on sale in Europe today, according to new testing by independent vehicle safety authority Euro NCAP.
In an all-new initiative, Euro NCAP tested the performance and effectiveness of active safety systems on 19 of Europe’s best-selling vans. The analysis assessed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) when approaching vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as lane keeping technology, speed limit recognition and occupant monitoring systems.
Transit received a Gold award for its suite of available active safety features while Transit Custom earned a Silver award. Euro NCAP also specifically commended Ford’s AEB system, recognising Pre-Collision Assist technology with Pedestrian Detection 1 as a clear class-leading feature.
Transit recorded the only perfect 100 per cent score across all vehicles and features for its Traffic Sign Recognition 1 functionality; its AEB was also noted as the best for cyclist protection.
“We know that safety is the top priority for businesses both protecting their staff and other road users,” said Stuart Southgate, director, Safety Engineering, Ford of Europe. “We’re delighted that Euro NCAP recognised the range and effectiveness of our active safety technologies. These systems protect the occupants and either mitigate or eliminate serious incidents. By doing this the advanced technologies both reduce personal injuries and minimise time off road for repairs.”
Euro NCAP used the same criteria to compare each van’s active safety features. All vehicles were driven on a test track, loaded with 50 per cent of their maximum payload to give results representative of real-world operations.
Simulations tested driver warning and AEB action when approaching parked vehicles or slower traffic, as well as when a vehicle in front brakes sharply. Euro NCAP also assessed responses to a child running into the road, and cyclists and pedestrians walking in or crossing the road.
In addition to protecting road users, active safety systems can also contribute to increased uptime and save on expensive repair and insurance costs by helping to prevent avoidable collisions.
“Given the millions of vans on Europe’s roads and the rapid growth of internet deliveries in our cities, the active safety systems fitted to commercial vehicles are key to improving safety for all road users,” said Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General, Euro NCAP. “Ford is one of the European brand leaders for commercial vehicles, and the excellent performance achieved by both the Transit and Transit Custom products gives us real confidence in Ford’s commitment to fitting the Transit family with the latest assistance technologies to help protect everybody on Europe’s roads.”
Transit and Transit Custom offer a full suite of advanced active safety and driver assistance technologies, including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane-Keeping System, Blind Spot Information System, and Active Park Assist.
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1 Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.
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; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Britain has been sales leader in the U.K. for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles for 43 and 54 consecutive years respectively, with Fiesta being the country’s top-selling vehicle for the last 10 years. The U.K. is Ford’s third-largest global market and accounts for around 30 percent of total Ford vehicle sales in Europe. Ford is pursuing leadership positions across mobility and electrified vehicles, launching 14 hybrid and electric vehicles this year. Ford directly employs around 6,500 people in the U.K., with thousands more employed in its extensive dealer network. The Ford Britain Dunton Campus in Essex is the home of its European commercial vehicle business group, the Ford of Britain national sales company, Ford’s banking arm – Ford Credit Europe – and powertrain engineering. Ford’s manufacturing operations are a UK export success story with around 85 percent of engines and all transmissions exported to more than 15 countries on six continents. The value of these exports, including machined engine components, is around £2.5 billion annually.
– the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
