Just before the official sales launch in Europe, Ford has given its all new Transit Custom vehicle its global debut at the Birmingham CV Show.
"The Transit Custom is a completely new kind of one-tonne vehicle from Ford," suggested Jesus Alonso, director of CV Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. "This is a stylish, modern van which customers will be proud to have on their driveway, while losing none of the hard-working attitude that they expect from a Transit," he added.
With this new van, Ford aimed to improve the vehicle's loading performance and capacity as much as possible. Several key innovations helped to make this happen, such as the new class-leading height and width of sliding side load doors and the load-through hatch in bulkhead - which enables the vehicle to carry loads up to three metres in length. This makes carrying long items such as pipes or ladders considerably easier.
"This may be a more stylish Transit, but it's a more functional Transit too," said Barry Gale, Commercial Vehicles Chief Engineer, Ford of Europe. "The additional features we have built into the load space make everyday functions more convenient - so it's easier for customers to do their job."
In addition, UK car buyers will be able to choose from short wheelbase (SWB - overall length 4.97 metres) and long wheelbase (LWB - overall length 5.34 metres) versions - always depending on the use they will give to the vehicle and the amount of load space that they will require for their specific business.
"The start of a far-reaching transformation"
Alonso added that the launch of this new range marks the start of a far-reaching transformation of Ford's global commercial vehicle range.
"With more new models set to be revealed in the coming months, 2012 is destined to be a very exciting year for our commercial vehicle business," he said.
The Transit Custom will go on sale later in 2012 in Europe and other global markets. Prices for the UK haven't been released yet.
