Ford Scores Big At World Fleet Awards

Ford has won four top awards in the 2010 Fleet World Honours, including the Best Fleet Car prize for the Ford Focus and Best MPV title for the Ford S-MAX.

The Ford Transit Connect was named Fleet World’s Best Small Van, and Ford also collected the Innovation Award for its ECOnetic CV range.

Best Fleet Car – Ford Focus

Fleet World’s judges chose the Focus for the top award because of its reliable and dependable nature at a time of economic uncertainty.

"While the rest of the market grappled with the onslaught of recession, the Ford Focus showed why it is the best car in the fleet market by marching on untouched,” said the judges’ chairman, Fleet World editor Steve Moody. “Sales barely dropped from the year before and outstripped any other model by a distance, illustrating that when businesses want a trustworthy, reliable, efficient and attractive fleet car, their first stop is the Ford Focus.”

Best MPV – Ford S-MAX

The Ford S-MAX triumphed in what was described by the judges as one of the toughest sectors of the market. “Ford’s S-MAX continues to be the pacesetter, with stylish design, excellent engines, flexible interior space and, of course, first-class back-up from Ford’s fleet sales operation,” said Moody.

Best Small Van – Ford Transit Connect

Following its victory in this division in 2009, the Ford Transit Connect was named Best Small Van for the second year in succession. Van Fleet World editor John Kendall said: “Transit Connect benefits from Ford’s extensive van-building know-how, so it’s built to take the rough and tumble of working life and still be an attractive used buy. That and a choice of short wheelbase, long wheelbase and crew van options help to maintain its popularity as a fleet buy.”

Innovation Award – Ford ECOnetic

The introduction of Ford’s ECOnetic technology to its CV range earned special praise: “One of life’s certainties is that fuel prices will continue to rise,” said Kendall. “Van fleets can rack up large annual mileages and reducing fuel costs is a top priority. Ford was one of the first van makers to transfer its fuel consumption reducing technologies from car to van with the launch of the Transit and Fiesta van ECOnetic model last year. It’s just what van fleet operators need.”

Credits: wilswong