FORD has won its largest single fleet deal in history with the signing of a contract to provide telecommunications giant BT with about 4,000 Transits per year over a three-year period.

At showroom prices the deal for long- and short-wheelbase diesel Transits is worth £289 million, and the two parties have agreed an option to extend the arrangement into a fourth year.

Janet Entwistle, general manager of BT Fleet, said: 'Our business is based on providing the most efficient services supported in the most cost-effective manner. 'Our decision to place this contract with Ford is based on the Transit's wholelife costs for our operations.'

In July 2000, Ford won a contract to supply BT with Fiesta and Escort vans, and the telecommunications giant will be one of the first fleets to adopt the new 'baby' Transit Connect.

BT also offers every vehicle in the Ford range on its user-chooser company car choice list, following a three-year arrangement that started in July 2001.

Steve Parker, Ford's commercial vehicles director, said: 'Our relationship with BT goes back more than 15 years and is built on the strength of the Transit product and its outstanding reputation for durability and low cost of ownership.'