International van of the year 2007

NEW FORD TRANSIT IS INTERNATIONAL VAN OF THE YEAR 2007

BRENTWOOD, 20 September, 2006 – The new Ford Transit has been awarded the prestigious title of 'International Van of the Year 2007'.
The 'Van of the Year' jury, which comprises an independent panel of leading commercial vehicle journalists representing 19 European countries, awarded the new Ford Transit the 2007 trophy in what was described as "one of the closest fought 'Van of the Year' battles ever."

"2006 has been a bumper year for new light and medium commercial vehicles which has made this competition tougher than ever, and this award even more significant for Ford Transit," said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe.

"The jury also appreciates the fact that the Ford designers and engineers maintain more than most other van manufacturers, permanent contacts with potential and existing purchasers in order to monitor constantly their wishes and needs.

Particular praise was forthcoming for the new features introduced on the latest Transit model. "Constant monitoring of the wishes of van users also resulted in some other interesting improvements," noted the 'Van of the Year' jury statement. "The dash mounted gear lever is an example of that, as is the self charging waterproof ignition key. Other examples are the addition of a new low-roof medium wheelbase variant and a new heavy duty front axle model."

The jury also appreciated the development of the new All-Wheel-Drive Transit derivative, plus the confirmation that Ford's load-adaptive Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) will be standardised on all diesel Transit van and bus models from January, 2007, with chassis cab and rear-wheeled models following later in 2007.

"We are very proud of the Transit and its achievements over the last forty years," said Fleming. "Receiving the 'Van of the Year 2007' award makes us even more determined to keep Transit ahead of the competition, whatever it takes."