BT has ordered 11,000 Ford Escort and Fiesta vans worth £112 million at today's showroom prices. The order is for 7,000 diesel-engined Escort 55 vans and 4,000 Fiesta 35 vans to be used by BT nationwide. The first vans have been delivered, replacing similar models on BT's three-year replacement cycle.

The company has used Ford's light vans for six years and has about 15,800 Escort and Fiesta vans and about 400 Vauxhalls. BT runs the largest Transit fleet in the UK, made up of some 20,000 vehicles. In the past BT ran a predominantly petrol fleet but has moved to using many diesel vehicles.