Ford of Britain has revealed details of how it has redeployed its fleet of Transit-badged vans to assist the NHS and other key services during the coronavirus crisis.
Since the pandemic hit the UK, Ford says it has supplied 131 demonstrator, pool and press vans from its Transit range to 40 organisations – including 10 NHS ambulance service trusts – to support their community-focused work.
“Throughout this unprecedented crisis the van economy has made an unrelenting and continued contribution to the well-being of this country,” said Mandy Dean, director, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Britain.
More than half of the LCVs, including 38 Transits, 12 Transit Connects, eight Transit Customs, three Transit Couriers and two Ranger pick-up trucks, have been deployed to NHS ambulance service trusts and other blue light services.
Around a quarter are on loan to food retailers, with others supporting non-food delivery services, all of which are facing higher than usual demand.
To assist customers during the lockdown, Ford has introduced a “Peace of Mind” programme for those needing to buy a new LCV.
In collaboration with Ford Credit, Ford’s in-house bank, the manufacturer is providing cashback to help cover three monthly payments, or a reduction to the same value on the amount borrowed.
With the option to also defer finance payments for the first three months, Ford claims customers are eligible for up to six months of payment-free vehicle ownership from delivery, with zero per cent APR finance.
Ford is to make mild-hybrid (mHEV) technology available on its Fiesta Van later this year. It will offer the technology on 125hp variants of the 1.0-litre petrol EcoBoost engine, targeting CO2 emissions of 96g/km and fuel economy of 56mpg on the NEDC cycle.
