Britain’s biggest van manufacturer has been through a significant overhaul over the past two years as it readies itself for a new era of electric vehicles (EV).

The blue oval re-launched its commercial vehicle division in 2021 under the name Ford Pro and has since introduced a suite of new services to support its customers beyond simply supplying vehicles.

As fleet operators embark on the transition to electrified vehicles, these support services will be vital, according to Mandy Dean (pictured), Ford commercial vehicle director for Britain and Ireland.

She explains: “It takes a lot to plan the move to electric vehicles and being the partner for electrification every step of the way is exactly what we've invented Ford Pro to do - to be that single ecosystem that can help them electrify.”

Ford Pro was named Fleet Manufacturer of the Year: Van at the 2023 Fleet News Awards and the Ford E-Transit was recognised as the Best Zero Emission Large Van (category sponsored by Zenith).

Ford Pro is focused on giving fleets the flexibility to pick the elements they need for their operation, from finding the right vehicles, to a host of intelligent fleet management software, vehicle maintenance and financing services.

Ford Pro software, for example, provides a suite of digital tools built on real-time vehicle data. Each is designed to maximise operational productivity by delivering connected, always-on commercial vehicle and fleet uptime services.

By turning live vehicle health and telematics data into actionable information, Ford Pro aims to improve vehicle uptime, safety and security, manage the electric vans and improve overall productivity.

Dean says: “Avoiding downtime becomes even more important when you move to running electric vehicles because if you don't plug that vehicle in at night you could have a downtime event straight away the next morning, or you’ve got to go and charge somewhere. Just having simple data to show that vehicle is charging and will have enough range for the route it plans to do the next day becomes absolutely essential.”

Dependent on the size and specific requirements of a fleet, there are various smartphone apps and software platforms – including Ford Telematics, Ford E-Telematics, Ford Telematics Essentials, and FordPass Pro – allowing fleets to access a growing range of key productivity and vehicle uptime tools and subscriptions.

The services are available for all Ford Commercial vehicles equipped with an integrated modem, built from 2019.

Since launching, more than 175,000 vehicles have been connected to Ford Liive, a free service that proactively manages repair and maintenance cases on behalf of customers.

The system works by sharing vehicle data with fleet operators and dealers. It means that vehicles no longer need to be taken to a dealership for diagnostics as technicians can remotely view data from the vehicle from the previous 60 days to identify faults. Dealers can also reduce repair times by ensuring the correct parts are ready in the event that repairs are required.

In its first year, Ford Liive has saved users 147,000 days of downtime, which the manufacturer estimates would have cost the affected businesses around £60m.

By 2024, Ford Pro will have re-launched its entire vehicle model line-up, offering electric versions in its key segments.

Ford expects its entire commercial vehicle range will be zero-emissions capable - all-electric or plug-in hybrid - by 2024, with two-thirds of its commercial vehicle sales expected to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.

A new Transit Custom - the company’s best-selling model - will go on sale later in 2023 with plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and diesel engines. A fully electric variant will follow in 2024 and will have a range of 236 miles, courtesy of a 74kWh battery pack.

Dean explains: “When we launch a new model we like to try and keep things simple, so to minimise the launch complexity we're focused on what the majority of the build is at the moment, but it won't be the majority of the build as we move forward. Our mix of EV is going to accelerate very, very quickly.”

As part of Ford and VW’s ‘Project Cyclone’ alliance, the Transit Custom will share a platform with the upcoming Transporter. Both will be built in Turkey  at Ford’s existing Transit plant.

A new Transit Courier will also launch this summer, based on a new car-derived platform that is an evolution of the underpinnings found on the Fiesta and Puma passenger cars.

Total cargo volume will be 2.9 cubic metres, 26% more than the outgoing model.

Speaking of the new model, Dean says: “What we've seen in this segment is that there is a big shift more into the large vehicles, so growing Courier is absolutely the right thing to do.”

Production of an electric E-Transit Courier will commence in 2024, further bolstering the brand’s EV line-up.

Ford’s new Transit Connect will also go on sale later this year, based on the current VW Caddy platform.

Fleet News Awards – sponsor comment

Words on behalf of Ian Hughes, CEO corporate division at Zenith.

“At Zenith, we’re keen to recognise and celebrate those who are going the extra mile to drive down carbon footprints. This is why we were a proud sponsor of five categories at this year’s Fleet News Awards – all of which support our own ESG agenda and help to bring alternatively-fuelled vehicles to the forefront.

“There was true quality displayed by all nominees, which greatly demonstrates the importance that we, as an industry, are placing on our journey a net zero, and highlighted the huge improvements and advancements being continually made. I want to congratulate all nominees for their work over the last year, and especially MG, Volkswagen, Vauxhall, Ford and Scania for winning their respective categories.”