Transit voted king van

Fleet operators name Ford Transit best large van for 15th time!

IF it’s got a blue oval on the front, fleet operators want it on their van fleet!

Ford won both the small van category and the large van category in the ACFO awards – the vote of professional fleet operators. So if you’re a van fleet operator thinking of changing your vans – you should take this into account.

The Ford Transit Connect Van was voted the nation’s favourite Small Van for the ninth time in succession, while its Transit stablemate returned to the winner’s rostrum after a two-year absence to claim the Large Van of the Year title for the 15th time in the history of the awards.

Ford’s dominance of the Awards was completed with the manufacturer winning the Fleet Safety Initiative Award for its Focus Driver Assistance Pack and Fleet Car of the Year for the Ford Focus.

The Awards, which are voted on line exclusively by the ACFO membership, are highly prized because unlike many other awards they reflect the day-to-day operational experience and expertise of fleet decision-makers.

ACFO chairman Julie Jenner said: “Fleet decision-makers are reliant on motor manufacturers to deliver vehicles that are cost effective to operate, safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly and supplier companies to provide a first class service.

“Operating successfully in partnership it means that through the availability of top quality vehicles and first rate suppliers, vehicle downtime can be kept to an absolute minimum and fleet managers can focus on the efficient and effective operation of their vehicles to support their businesses.”

Read our road test of the Transit Click here for a test of the latest Euro V Transit test

ACFO FLEET AWARDS 2011

Small Van of the Year Winner – Ford Transit Connect Shortlist – Volkswagen Caddy, Citroen Berlingo, Mercedes Vito, Peugeot Bipper

Large Van of the Year Winner – Ford Transit Shortlist – Mercedes Sprinter, Vauxhall Movano, Vauxhall Vivaro, Fiat Ducato

Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year

Winner – Ford Focus Driver Assistance Pack Shortlist – DVLA Licence Checking, Mercedes-Benz for in car safety systems, ALD Automotive ProFleet2.

Fleet Service Company of the Year Winner – ALD Automotive Shortlist – Marshall Leasing, Lex Autolease, LeasePlan

Environmental Initiative of the Year Winner – BMW EfficientDynamics Shortlist – ‘From A to B: The ACFO Guide to UK Journey Planning’, Bosch Stop-Start systems, ALD Automotive ProFleet2

Green Vehicle of the Year Winner – Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion Shortlist – BMW 3 Series, Nissan Leaf, Volvo V50 DRIVe, Vauxhall EcoFlex range

Fleet Car of the Year
Winner – Ford Focus
Shortlist – BMW 3 Series, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia.

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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