Ford Pro presented its latest solutions for maximising uptime, service and productivity to commercial customers in Europe at the IAA Transportation Show 2022.
Ford Pro solutions on display at the company's booth in Hanover, Germany, include a single platform that integrates vehicles with software, charging and connected services, enabling commercial customers to reduce costs and optimise performance as they transition to electric vehicles.
The leader of the Ford Pro electric vehicle range at the show is the all-new E-Transit Custom, making its world public debut. Ford Pro is also revealing further details about the new generation of the Transit Custom family - including plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and diesel EcoBlue versions - ahead of first vehicle deliveries in mid-2023.
Other productivity-enhancing initiatives from Europe's leading commercial vehicle brand include the advanced, new Ford Pro Upfit Integration System, the first digital solution designed for smarter and more efficient vehicle conversions, and an enhanced Mobile Service offering in key markets, including Germany.
Ford Pro also reaffirmed its leadership in the pick-up segment in Europe, with the only off-road Ranger Raptor high performance and the premium Ranger Wildtrak both of which are present on the company's stand.
"Ever-increasing costs are putting our European customers' businesses under tremendous pressure and the need for productivity solutions is greater than ever," said Ted Cannis, CEO, Ford Pro. "Ford Pro's revolutionary single platform is designed to help our customers reduce costs and modernize their operations as they transition to electric vehicles."
The brand new version of the is with the biggest sales in Europe
The Ford Pro range in Hanover is led by the all-electric E–Transit Custom. With next-generation battery technology enabling a targeted range of 380 km and a fast charging capacity of 125 kW, the van model offers highly competitive performance for a wide range of customer needs.
As part of the most comprehensive Transit Custom range ever, customers can also choose an all-new version Plug–In Hybrid for uses where additional versatility is required, all-electric driving for city centre work and petrol engine power for longer motorway journeys. The new powertrain is similar to that used by the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid - the first PHEV to be sold in Europe in 2021 - and combines a 2.5 L Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an 11.8 kWh battery to provide a targeted, all-electric range of up to 57 km (EAER) and 2.3 kW of power to power tools and equipment on construction sites via the ProPower Onboard.
Customers can also order the Transit Custom with the latest generation of diesel engines Ford EcoBlue with an output of 110 PS, 136 PS, 150 PS or 170 PS. The six-speed manual transmission is available with an optional limited-slip mechanical differential for increased traction. In addition, a high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission, which offers a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 kg and is available in combination with a new all-wheel drive system, offered with the Transit Custom for the first time.
The new Transit Custom has been designed from the ground up to deliver outstanding performance and load carrying capacity, and like the all-electric E-Transit Custom, offers a variety of new customer experiences that increase productivity, such as the Mobile Office option with an innovative folding steering wheel. Here are the key features and versions:
- New vehicle architecture with lower load floor height, overall height below 2 metres and independent rear suspension
- Four size versions - L1 or L2 lengths, with H1 or H2 ceiling heights
- Panel van, double-cab-in-van, kombi and L-Shaped Bulkhead bodies
- Standard 5G modem and SYNC 4 touchscreen with 13-inch diagonal
- The range of versions includes Base, Trend, Limited, Active, Trail and Sport
Kombi models are available in the premium Limited and Trail versions for the first time, for a significantly more refined and comfortable passenger experience.
All new-generation Transit Custom vehicles are fully integrated with the software platform Per and connected services including end-to-end charging solutions, management tools from the Ford Pro Telematics 9 and the application FordPass Pro, as well as the FORDLiive connected operating time system.
"Our new E-Transit Custom will help more small businesses than ever before make the transition to all-electric. And for those businesses that are not yet ready or able to go fully electric, the new Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid and EcoBlue versions will continue to boost productivity, supported by an all-new architecture and the Ford Pro ecosystem of intelligent and connected solutions," said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe.
The new Transit Custom will be built by Ford Otosan at an advanced, new plant in Turkey. Deliveries to Transit Custom customers with EcoBlue powertrains are due to start in mid-2023, with additional versions available later in the year.
The Ford Per Upfit Integration System modernises digital conversions
Half of all Transits sold in Europe have some kind of modification, and many of these modifications require integration with the vehicle's electrical system - including the addition of controls and displays - which can be demanding and time-consuming for converters.
To streamline this process, Ford Pro has developed a Upfit Integration System, the market's first digital solution introduced in Europe with the new Transit Custom. The new system features an interface module that allows seamless connection to the vehicle's electrical system and enables control of the conversions via the 13-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen instead of additional equipment. As a result, conversions are completed faster and more efficiently, while at the same time potentially improving reliability and safety, as converters will not need to make modifications in the cabin area or make connections to the factory wiring to install the controls.
Customers can set rules for the operation of the modifications, such as preventing the wheelchair ramp from being lowered unless the vehicle is stationary and parked or in neutral with the parking brake pulled. In addition to displaying the performance of a conversion on the SYNC display, the digital devices will also be able to be linked to Ford Pro software packages for remote monitoring by fleet managers - for example, for temperature monitoring on refrigerated vehicles transporting pharmaceuticals or food and beverages where an uninterrupted supply chain is necessary.
For additional help in optimising their digital conversions, businesses and converters can receive further technical support from the experts in the Digital Solutions team at Ford Pro Special Vehicles.
The Ford Per Mobile Service improves the operating time
Ford Pro also announced the expansion of the offer Mobile Service in key markets such as Germany. Using specially modified vans to bring Transit Center's capabilities to customers' depots and garages, Mobile Service is already performing 70% of the planned maintenance work of a large fleet of its UK vehicles - a figure which is expected to increase to 90% for the all-electric E-Transit and E-Transit Custom - saving businesses the cost and downtime associated with workshop visits.
The expansion of Ford Pro Mobile Service in Germany follows a successful trial that began in 2021 with five Mobile Service vans operating in selected cities across the country. Ford Pro Mobile Service is now growing to 49 van vehicles, making the uptime offer available to fleet customers in Germany's major cities. By the end of 2022, Ford Pro Mobile Service in Germany will have in its ranks 88 in total Mobile Service van vehicles across the country.
In the UK, where the service was first launched, a fleet of 115 van vehicles now covers the country's 90% and is set to carry out over 75,000 service and repair jobs this year.
Mobile Service is just one of the solutions the Ford Pro ecosystem offers to help businesses accelerate productivity and optimise the cost of commercial vehicle ownership. The connected operating time system FORDLiive Ford Pro Service helps customers operate their fleets more efficiently by leveraging the connectivity offered by the FordPass Connect modem through the Ford Pro Software package.
According to predictions, FORDLiive can reduce downtime by up to 60%. The system has already this year enabled 145,000 extra days of vehicle availability, worth around €73 million to customers.
