FORD has signed what it claims to be the biggest telematics deal in history to give fleet managers better control over their company vehicles.

The manufacturer has joined forces with Thales Telematics and says the contract provides its fleet customers with 'a unique opportunity to achieve optimised delivery efficiency, reduced operating costs and improved customer relations'.

Ford director of telematics, Kathryn Lees, said: 'There is a lot of potential for improvement of fleet business through the application of telematics.'

Mike Wear, director of Ford fleet operations, added: 'It's very useful for commercial fleets to know where there operatives are and telematics can further help with route planning and identifying driving issues that could provide savings.'

For telematics to prove attractive to fleets, the savings they deliver must exceed the cost of installing and operating the system, and Ford has yet to reveal prices.