Ford Pro continues to expand connected services with new calendar features in Ford Pro Telematics software and improved uptime via FORDLiive
Ford Pro is underlining its European market leadership and commitment to electrification with a fully electrified range of vehicles and connected services on display at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 in Hanover, Germany from 17 to 22 September.
Ford Pro’s comprehensive line-up of electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles on show includes the E-Transit Courier compact van, which is now available to order. Visitors to the Ford Pro stand can also see the high-performance electrified Transit family, including the best-selling E-Transit model, which now offers a version with increased range, as well as the new E-Transit Custom and the all-new Transit Connect PHEV. Ford Pro is also making the world public debut of the all-new Ranger PHEV at the IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 show.
Ford Pro customers are already experiencing the benefits of real-time data collection and connected services. FORDLiive connected runtime system power walls and Liive Agents are on display in a functional Liive Center at the Ford Pro booth.
New upgrades to Ford Pro’s suite of integrated solutions include a new digital calendar feature in Ford Pro Telematics software that helps customers track vehicle mileage for both personal and business purposes for accurate claims payment and filing of the relevant reports.
“Every day, Ford Pro proves to its customers that connected vehicle data can increase uptime and productivity, point them to the right electrification solutions for their businesses and help make the transition as simple as possible. Combined with a range of award-winning and best-selling vehicles, Ford Pro sets the foundation for a whole new level of productivity,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe.
Ford Pro continues to grow strongly while meeting the needs of its customers, with software subscriptions up 35% in the second quarter of this year. In Europe alone, Ford Pro has more than 95,000 paid software subscriptions. At the same time, sales of its commercial vehicles have increased by 10% in the first half of 2024.
A range of electrified vehicles with high productivity
Ford Pro’s complete refresh of the Transit van family means there is now a choice of electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains for every model. Visitors to IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 can visit the Ford Pro stand to see the full range, as well as models making their European public debut:
• E-Transit Courier. Following the launch of the all-new Transit Courier compact van model earlier in 2024, Ford Pro announces that the electric E-Transit Courier is now available to order. With a useful battery capacity of 43 kWh, the electric van offers a range of up to 300 km, a payload of 700 kg and 25% more cargo space than the previous generation Transit Courier. Charging from 10-80% takes about 23 minutes on a 100 kW DC fast charger. Production of the vehicle is scheduled to begin in late 2024, with deliveries to customers in 2025.
• E-Transit. Already the best-selling all-electric van in the 2-tonne segment in Europe, Ford Pro’s E-Transit is set to support even more customers with a new extended range version that uses an 89 kWh battery. The standard heat pump, faster charging and a maximum range of up to 402 km will better serve businesses that travel longer distances or need more power – such as frozen food deliveries. Order books for the extended range version of the model will open in October, while production will begin in early 2025.
• E-Transit Custom. With vehicles in this commercial vehicle class being the lifeblood of businesses with a total value of more than €1 trillion in the EU and the UK, the all-electric (EV) version of the most popular van model in the 1 tonne class in Europe is now in mass production at Ford Otosan’s “factory of the future”. First customer deliveries are now taking place in selected European markets. The Transit Custom PHEV model is also in full production, aimed at customers with activities better suited to the hybrid drivetrain philosophy.
• Transit Connect PHEV. With deliveries of the all-new Transit Connect van already underway, the version of the model powered by Ford Pro’s efficient plug-in hybrid drive system makes its European public debut at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. The highly competitive, electric range of 118 km further supports lower operating costs. Customers can also benefit from the new FlexCab body version (passenger or cargo) and DC charging with a power of up to 40 kW that ensures the battery is replenished with electricity from 5 to 80% in approximately 26 minutes. The plug-in hybrid model is now in production and the first examples will reach customers later this fall.
In addition to the latest models in the electrified, connected Transit family, Ford Pro is also making the world public debut of the all-new Ranger PHEV at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024.
Connected technologies
Ford Pro’s wide range of electrified vans simplify the transition to electrification in a way that is right for each customer and according to the type and size of their business. Ford Pro further helps reduce the cost of ownership, as well as optimize productivity, with support services such as the new Logbook function in the Ford Pro Telematics software. This diary feature helps in recording the kilometers traveled for business and personal purposes, thus helping in easier record keeping. Apart from saving time, it helps to ensure that fuel and electricity costs are properly accounted for, while at the same time reducing red tape.
Businesses where the van owner is also a driver and accountant will benefit from Logbook, simplifying the management of the tax return submission basis. Larger businesses with drivers who park their business van at home between shifts can use the feature to pay compensation that is solely for business driving. At the same time, they can monitor whether the driver and the van were “on duty” or not in case of alerts in the cab or in an accident.
Owners can receive notifications about the vehicle’s operational status through the software Ford Pro Telematics or the application FordPass for smartphones as part of it connected FORDLiive runtime system. In conjunction with Mobile Servicing and FORDLiive Centers, can be valuable tools for maintaining vehicle functionality. A fleet of vehicles in the UK reported that downtime was reduced in some cases from three days to just two hours for the same jobs. In a recent report by leading vehicle leasing company ALD Automotive | Lease Plan UK found that FORDLiive helped save customers an average of more than €1,300 per downtime incident in 2023.
Other innovative Ford Pro software solutions include the E-Switch Assista free online tool that quickly shows customers the readiness of their fleet for electrification. If the customer is already connected to the Ford Pro ecosystem, E-Switch Assist can use their driving data to provide more detailed results per vehicle, including daily charging needs. Ford Pro Charging offers a customized garage charging solution that can help managers realize significant savings. One customer reported that running costs of €18-20/100km which corresponded to the use of diesel vehicles were reduced to just €3/100km using Ford Pro’s E-Transit van model with garage charging.
Source: Skai
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