Ford Pro is underlining its leadership in the European market and its commitment to electrification with a fully electric range of vehicles and connected services on display at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 in Hannover, Germany, from 17 to 22 September.
Ford Pro's comprehensive range of electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles on display at the show includes the E-Transit Courier compact van, which is now available to order. Visitors to the Ford Pro stand can also see the highly productive electrified Transit family, including the best-selling E-Transit model, which now offers a version with increased range, as well as the new E-Transit Custom and the all-new Transit Connect PHEV. Ford Pro is also making the global public debut of the all-new Ranger PHEV at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024.
Ford Pro customers are already experiencing the benefits of real-time data collection and connected services. The "power walls" of the FORDLiive connected time operation system and Liive Agents are on display in a working Liive Centre at the Ford Pro booth.
New upgrades to Ford Pro's suite of integrated solutions include a new digital logbook feature in Ford Pro Telematics software that helps customers track vehicle mileage for both personal and business purposes to ensure accurate claims payment and reporting.
"Every day, Ford Pro demonstrates to its customers that connected vehicle data can increase uptime and productivity, point them to the right electrification solutions for their businesses and help make the transition as simple as possible. Combined with a range of award-winning and best-selling vehicles, Ford Pro is laying the foundation for a whole new level of productivity," said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe.
Ford Pro continues to is growing dynamically, while responding to the wishes of its customers, with software subscriptions showing an increase of 35% in the second quarter of this year. In Europe alone, Ford Pro has more than 95,000 paid software subscriptions. At the same time, its commercial vehicle sales have increased by 10% in the first half of 2024.
A range of electrified vehicles with high productivity
Ford Pro's complete refresh of the Transit family of vans means there is now a choice of electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain for each model. Visitors to IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 can visit the Ford Pro stand to see the full range, as well as models making their European public debut:
- E–Transit Courier. Following the launch of the all-new Transit Courier compact van model earlier in 2024, Ford Pro announces that the electric E-Transit Courier is now available to order. With a 43 kWh battery payload capacity, the electric van offers a range of up to 300 km, a payload capacity of 700 kg and 25 % more cargo space than the previous generation Transit Courier. Charging 10-80% takes about 23 minutes on a 100 kW DC fast charger. Production of the vehicle is scheduled to start in late 2024, with deliveries to customers in 2025.
- E–Transit. Already the best-selling all-electric van in the 2-tonne class in Europe, Ford Pro's E-Transit is set to support even more customers with a new extended range version using an 89 kWh battery. The heat pump, which is standard equipment, faster charging and a maximum range of up to 402 km will better serve businesses that travel longer distances or need more power - such as frozen food deliveries. Order books for the extended range version of the model will open in October, with production starting in early 2025.
- E–Transit Custom. With the vehicles of this category of commercial vehicles being the lifeblood of the business with a total of a value of more than EUR 1 trillion in the EU and the UK, the all-electric (EV) version of Europe's most popular 1-tonne van model is now in mass production in "factory of the future" of Ford Otosan. The first deliveries to customers are now taking place in selected European markets. The Transit Custom PHEV model is also in full production, targeting customers with activities that best fit the hybrid powertrain philosophy.
- Transit Connect PHEV. With deliveries of the all-new Transit Connect van already underway, the version of the model powered by Ford's efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain Pro makes its European public debut at IAA TRANSPORTATION The highly competitive, electric range of 118 km further supports lower operating costs. Customers can also benefit from the new FlexCab body version (passenger or cargo) and DC charging with up to 40 kW of power that ensures the battery can be replenished with electricity from 5 to 80% in around 26 minutes. The plug-in hybrid model is now in production and the first copies will reach customers later this autumn.
In addition to the latest models in the electrified, connected Transit family, Ford Pro is also making the global public debut of the brand new Ranger PHEV at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024.
Connected technologies
Ford Pro's wide range of electric vehicle vans simplifies the transition to electrification, in a way that's right for each customer and according to the type and size of their business. Ford Pro further helps to reduce ownership costs, as well as optimise productivity, with support services such as the new Logbook feature in Ford Pro Telematics software. This logbook feature helps record mileage driven for business and personal purposes, helping to make record keeping easier. In addition to saving time, it helps ensure that fuel and electricity costs are correctly allocated while reducing paperwork.
Businesses where the owner of the van is also a driver and accountant will benefit from the Logbook, simplifying management on a tax return basis. Larger businesses with drivers who park their business van at home between shifts can use the function to pay the allowance that is solely attributable to driving for business purposes. At the same time, they can track whether or not the driver and van were "on duty" or not in the event of a cab or accident notices being issued.
Owners can receive notifications of the vehicle's operational status via the software Ford Per Telematics or the application FordPass for smartphone 14 as part of the linked operating time system FORDLiive. In combination with the Mobile Servicing and FORDLiive Centres, can be valuable tools for maintaining the functionality of vehicles. A fleet of vehicles in the UK reported that downtime was reduced in some cases by three days in just two hours for the same work. A recent report by leading vehicle leasing company ALD Automotive | Lease Plan UK found that FORDLiive helped save customers an average of more than €1,300 per breakdown incident in 2023.
Other innovative Ford Pro software solutions include E–Switch Assist, a free online tool that quickly shows customers the readiness of their fleet for electrification. If the customer is already connected to the Ford Pro ecosystem, E-Switch Assist can use their driving data to provide more detailed results by vehicle, including daily charging needs. Ford Pro Charging offers a personalised charging solution in the depot that can help managers realize significant savings. An Customer reported that the operating costs of €18-20/100 km associated with using diesel vehicles were reduced to as little as €3/100 km using the Ford Pro E-Transit model van with charging in the depot.
