Ford joins Van Excellence scheme

Ford joins Van Excellence scheme

Business fleet operators and companies running delivery vehicles will be among those interested in the latest news regarding Ford.

The Blue Oval has been announced as the latest commercial manufacturer to sign up to the Van Excellence Scheme.

Joining a host of other firms, including Volkswagen, Nissan, Fiat and Isuzu, Ford will promote the Van Excellence Code, which is designed to increases standards of van operation.

The scheme is operated by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which has voiced its delight at having Ford on board.

Mark Cartwright, the FTA's head of vans and LCV's, said: "We're delighted to welcome Ford as a Van Excellence Partner.

"Together with existing partners Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Fiat and Isuzu our manufacturer partners now represent over half of the UK's annual registrations.

"Their support is invaluable particularly as we develop a Van Excellence accreditation scheme for dealers."

Originally launched in 2012, the scheme only accredits manufacturers that can prove their credentials against a strict industry code of good practice.

By signing up the UK's leading manufacturers, the FTA hopes to increase confidence in fleet management compliance systems.

The scheme has been welcomed by a host of industry commentators and was recently awarded the Best New Service Award at the 2012 Fleet News Awards.

It comes shortly after Ford announced that it has gone to extraordinary lengths to prove the durability of its most famous commercial vehicle.

As part of an "extreme testing " project, the doors of the new Ford Transit were slammed shut some 550,000 times in order to ensure that the model can stand up to the harshest wear and tear when out on the road.

The front doors were slammed 250,000 times, the sliding side door 150,000 times, and the rear cargo door was also given the treatment 150,000 times.

Such comprehensive testing of a new product could help Ford attract a number of new customers that are currently in the market for new van deals.

Posted by Craig Salter