- New Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier scheme accredits converters modifying Ford vehicles
- These factory approved conversions offer peace of mind that matches Ford’s own warranty in terms of mileage and duration
- Converters must also have adequate liability insurance
- First seven converters named as Ford launches Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier programme
A FORD Transit is a great van. We know that. But sometimes, you need a Transit to do something a bit more for your business, more tailored to what you do.
Whether that’s a fridge conversion for your small business delivering fresh produce or a builder needing a new tipper. These conversions are designed to make your life easier.
Now, there have always been great converters out there, but now your small business can get quality assurance too as Ford launches its Qualified Vehicle Modifier programme – QVM for short – which underwrites the quality of converted vehicles on offer.
All the Ford QVM converters have been assessed by Ford and continue to be monitored while also proving that their converted vehicles have followed Ford’s Body and Equipment Mounting Manual (BEMM) and that they follow quality control processes.
The first seven official QVM converters are:
- Allied Vehicles
- CoTrim Conversions
- CPD Bodies
- GM Coachworks
- McElmeel Mobility Services
- Paneltex
- VFS
Dave Petts, Ford Transit product manager, commented:
“The introduction of more QVM converters will give buyers the peace of mind that the specialist they are buying from is accredited by Ford. The Transit range now offers customers an even wider choice of vehicles to meet their individual business needs.”
So if you want one of these conversions for your small business or trade, then contact one of these specialists converters to discuss your options and prices. You can pick up your converted vehicle either from your Ford dealer of directly from the converter.
Ford’s accredited QVM converters
Allied Vehicles
This Glasgow based converter offers wheelchair accessible conversions like the Ford Freedom, based on the Transit Connect, and the Ford Independence, based on the Tourneo Custom. These can accommodate driver, two wheelchair passengers and up to six additional passengers. Allied also builds the ProCab taxi, built on the Tourneo Custom chassis which can accommodate up to eight passengers in its six-seat rear compartment and the option of a front double seat.
www.alliedmobility.com
www.cabdirect.com
CoTrim Conversions
Based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, CoTrimConversions offers a wide range of converted Fords including Transit and Transit Custom crew van conversions, mobility conversions with lifts or ramps for easy wheelchair access, minibus and taxi conversions, and specialist adaptations to cater to the needs of a wide variety of niche users, such as environmental protection crews, film units and even bomb disposal experts.
www.cotrim.co.uk
CPD Bodies
A specialist in Tippers, Dropsides, lightweight Lutons and bespoke commissions, especially for highway maintenance and management, CPD Bodies, based in Stockton-on-Tees also have their own on site PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) facility and have made Ford their number one manufacturer to work with since CPD’s incorporation in 2009. Also read this in our sister title Car & Van Funding: CPD Bodies plans £1m new commercial vehicle specialist centre expansion
Paneltex
If you want thermally efficient Transits, then Hull-based Paneltex offers just what you’re looking for, ranging from a simple refrigerated van to frozen or deep-freeze specifications. The company even offers a Ford Transit with a multi-temperature environment which accommodates both frozen and heated foods at the same time.
www.paneltex.co.uk
GM Coachwork
Down in Devon, this Newton Abbot converter creates wheelchair-accessible vehicles designed to offer the best in space, comfort and safety and featuring a lowered floor to optimise headroom. The Connect Flame offers seating for four and a wheelchair passenger and the Grand Connect Flame can accommodate five plus wheelchair.
www.gmcoachwork.co.uk
McElmeel Mobility Services
Armagh in Northern Ireland produces a variety of Ford-based conversions aimed at the wheelchair passenger, ranging from the Grand Tourneo Connect to the long wheelbase Transit Custom, as well as special taxi conversions with rear or side access for wheelchairs and a bespoke conversion of the Transit Minibus with wheelchair tail-lift.
www.mobility-services.com
VFS
Based at Eastleigh, Hampshire, VFM was the very first UK converter accredited with the QVM award, but in addition to QVM, VFS is also a key provider of vehicles in Ford’s One-Stop Shop commercial vehicle range. The company’s new Transit Aluminium Tipper joins a range of bespoke Ford conversions which include one- and three-way tippers on both single and double cab platforms, including the recently launched Front-Wheel-Drive range plus Premium Dropsides from shortest to super long extended frame L5 model. Box and Luton vans are also available on a FWD platform.
www.vfs.co.uk
Did you know?
The UK’s medium van conversion market has grown by over 15 per cent in two years, from 42,000 vehicles in 2015 to 46,000 last year.
In 2017 the conversion is expected to top out at 50,000 vehicles.
Leave A Comment