Ford Transit Custom – major uplift on residual values means better in-life costs for business van managers
Story: RALPH MORTON
The new Ford Transit Custom not only looks more stylish, offers more practicality, but will offer small businesses lower running costs, too.
Ford boss Mark Ovenden said that the predicted residual value (RV) of the new Ford Transit Custom showed a 10.5% increase over the old Transit, according to CAP, the RV specialists.
“This is worth nearly £2000 after three years and 60,000 miles,” confirmed Ovenden, who said the old Transit would continue to be sold alongside the new Transit Custom until mid 2013.
The new Ford Transit Custom is now on sale with prices starting from £19,645 ex VAT for the SWB model. First deliveries are expected late October.
The new Ford Transit Custom is part of Ford’s plan to widen the appeal of the Transit by offering two distinct models: the Transit Custom for the one tonne market (typically trades and small businesses) and the much bigger Transit aimed at the two tonne market (larger van fleets) which will be unveiled at the Hannover Show (September).
Ovenden said that Ford was much more focused on selling Transit Custom as part of its local business offering, being sold alongside cars too, which was one of the reasons Ford had decided not to replace former CV director Steve Clary.
“CVs are so important we wanted to make it integral to the business,” explained Ovenden. “They are my number one priority . I’ve made sure the whole company is focused on selling vans.
“Over the next 24 months we shall completely renew our CV range.”
Ford manging director Mark Ovenden: focus is 100% on vans and commercial vehicles as Ford renews complete LCV range over the next 24 months
In the vanguard of this commercial vehicle revolution at Ford is the new Transit Custom. The van has been engineered and designed at Ford’s Dunton facility in Essex.
Among its innovations are its styling, a more car-like interior and driving experience, along with practical items such as an integral roof rack system, easy clean coated load floor liner, and load through bulkhead, allowing the stowage of 3m items such as copper tubing.
The Transit Custom is also one of the first vehicles to feature Ford’s new voice-command SYNC technology which includes emergency assist call in the event of an accident.
“The new Transit Custom is a vehicle any businessman will be proud to own,” added Mark Ovenden, “because it reflects the standard of their work and success.”
The Transit Custom business van is available in both SWB and LWB bodystyles, and with the choice of three engines, all 2.2-litre TDCi Duratorq diesels: 100PS, 125PS, and 155PS. As regards van weights, gross vehicle weight options are 2500kg, 2700kg, 2900kg, 3100kg, 3325kg.
Fuel consumption is 42.8mpg for the Transit Custom, which again will help reduce costs.
As well as the panel van, Transit Custom will also be sold as a Double Cab In Van in both SWB and LWB forms.
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