Ford and emergency vehicle specialist Venari Group are set to collaborate on the manufacture of a new frontline ambulance.
The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding for a new alliance, which will produce a lightweight ambulance based on the Ford Transit chassis cab variant.
Unveiled earlier this year, the new 3.5t ambulance will be built at a new facility in Ford Dagenham from next year, with the expected creation of around 100 jobs.
Ford says the alliance with Venari marks the start of plans to grow and develop opportunities with key conversions partners.
Ford of Europe marketing and sales manager for Ford Pro Vehicle Solutions Paul Baynes said: “The Ford Venari alliance builds on Ford’s plans to re-establish its presence in the UK ambulance market by working with the U.K.’s leading ambulance builder, and supports our wider ambition of growing Ford’s market presence through strategic alliances with key vehicle converters.”
Venari Group CEO Oliver North said: ”Following the truly incredible engineering achievements displayed by Ford at the Dagenham facility during the Ventilator Challenge UK project, the next chapter for Dagenham provides a continuation in production of life saving machines, with our next generation ambulance.
“The Ford Venari alliance will drive efficiency in production of the Transit-based frontline ambulance, whilst essentially creating new jobs.”
