Fleet Transport June 2020

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the individual driving styles to optimize
gear shift timings. It’s best suited for urban
distribution, minibuses and the motorhome
markets.
Ford’s high-tech engineers see great potential
in connectivity to boost productivity among all
stakeholders. For example, FordPass Connect,
its on-board modem technology (that works
off 4G transmission) enables fleet operators to
keep an eye on running costs through the Ford
Telematics System, Ford Data Services and
the recently introduced FordPass Pro App.
For the connected and electrified Transits,
conversion customers can avail of the new
ePower Pack for the Transit System Plugin
Hybrid, which enables operators to run
high-power electrical equipment, such as
power tools or site lights from the vehicle’s
high-voltage battery.
Simon Robinson, who heads up the Special
Vehicles Engineering Department and his
team also informed attendees of the newly
compiled Body & Equipment Mounting
Manual (BEMM), which is a comprehensive
guide to help converters deliver safe,
productive and customised commercial
vehicles. Complimenting this on-line booklet
is a call-centre hotline to provide answers to
queries as they arise.
Mentioning on-line and Ford is taking WLTP
– World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test
Procedure certification seriously, especially
in its second stage, whereby converters carry
out the fitment of additional equipment or
accessories to the vehicle which collectively
raise the unit’s overall carbon footprint.
Approved converters can use Ford’s WLTP
Calculation Tool to generate accurate fuel
efficiency and CO 2 emission data for their
specific models, based on data such as the
vehicle weight and any frontal area design
changes. The downloadable final certificate
and confirmation of results can be transferred
to the completed Certificate of Conformity
and now a bulk feature of the programme
allows up to 200 vehicles’ ID numbers to be
processed at any one time.
Meanwhile, Ford is extending the Ranger
line-up which will be of special interest to
converters. Examples of chassis/cab and
platform versions of the best-selling, awardwining
Pick-up were displayed and the
options now include a 3.5 tonne conversion
kit featuring upgraded suspension, which
increases the GVM by 300 kg. That will
appeal to utility clients.
Much more besides takes place at the Dunton
Campus in Laindon, Essex. Formerly known
as the Dunton Technical Centre. it has
benefitted from a £23 million investment, with
the vast facility now housing Ford’s European
Commercial Vehicle Business Group covering
engineering, powertrain developments
(Advanced Propulsion Laboratory) and
the Special Vehicle Engineering team. An
extension to the Advanced Propulsion
Laboratory has begun, which will allow
Ford’s technical crews to further investigate
NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness)
test chambers, and a special section for
electrification technologies.
“The new Advanced Propulsion Laboratory
supports our European commercial vehicle
leadership and enables us to stay at the
forefront of new vehicle technologies,
including electrification,” said Hans Schep,
General Manager, Commercial Vehicles,
Ford of Europe.
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