DUNTON, Essex, Dec. 9, 2022 – The Ford E-Transit has been named What Van?’s Van of the Year, one of six awards that Ford scooped on the day and the 11th award for E-Transit in the UK since it was launched in April.
E-Transit was named Large Van of the Year, in addition to the overall Van of the Year, while Transit Custom – the UK’s best-selling vehicle year to date – was named Medium Van of the Year and Used Van of the Year.
Earlier this year, in partnership with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Balfour Beatty, Ford launched its ‘Make it Visible’ suicide prevention campaign for construction workers – drawing attention to the alarming discovery from the Office for National Statistics that as many as two construction workers take their own lives every day and offering a lifeline to those who seek help. This campaign was awarded Editor’s Choice at the Awards.
Lastly, Mandy Dean, Ford of Britain and Ireland’s Commercial Vehicle Director, was inducted to the What Van? Hall of Fame. “Mandy is overseeing Ford’s transition to electrification” said James Dallas, Editor, What Van? “She understands the importance of guiding customers along this journey through tackling their concerns about how their businesses will cope with the switch to electric vans and has put in place a host of digital support services to ease this process.”
Throughout a Ford career spanning more than 25 years, Mandy has held roles in sales, programming, marketing, planning, dealer communications and brand management, before taking over as Marketing Director for Ford of Britain in January 2019. In 2020, Mandy was tasked with the responsibility of sustaining and growing Ford’s 55-year commercial vehicle market leadership in the UK and Ireland, and appointed Commercial Vehicle Director.
Under Mandy’s transformational leadership, the Ford Transit Custom has so far this year retained its status the UK’s best-selling vehicle outright, for the second year running, while Ford’s share in the pickup sector now accounts for more than 65 per cent across both fleet and retail customers with Ford Ranger.
She has played a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of Ford Pro, a new global business dedicated to delivering solutions to commercial customers of all sizes to accelerate their productivity through vehicles, conversions, software, charging, financing and servicing – and launching the E-Transit, Ford’s first fully-electric Transit van, which already accounts for more than 10 per cent of all two-tonne Transit van sales in the UK.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
Ford in Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 35,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures and approximately 55,000 people when unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 14 manufacturing facilities (eight wholly owned facilities and six 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.
