Ford Pro was launched in Europe and the U.S. with the E-Transit two years ago acknowledging that when fleets buy an electric vehicle there’s an opportunity to be a partner with their business. Pro stands for Productivity and marks a new stage of Ford’s journey towards electrification and advanced fleet management solutions.
Introducing the E-Transit Custom
The E-Transit Custom is a pivotal product for Ford Pro, targeting the heartland of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as plumbers, builders, and other tradespeople. As the top-selling model in its segment in Europe, this vehicle represents a major step forward in driving the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) among businesses that require reliable and efficient transportation solutions. The E-Transit Custom is designed to cater to the specific needs of these enterprises, ensuring they can transition smoothly to electrified fleets without compromising on performance or productivity.
The Ford Pro vision
Ford Pro’s journey began with the launch of the E-Transit, a larger, heavier van aimed at a broader fleet audience. This initial step set the stage for Ford Pro’s overarching strategy: to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions that go beyond just the vehicle itself. Recognising that electrification presents unique challenges, Ford Pro focuses on offering integrated solutions that address every aspect of fleet management.
Five pillars of Ford Pro
Ford Pro’s offerings are built around five key pillars, each designed to simplify and enhance the fleet management experience:
- Ford Pro Vehicles: Commercial trucks and vans, including gas, diesel, hybrid and electric versions, upfitting to meet the needs of almost any business – E-Transit is the latest example of Ford’s continuing commercial vehicle innovation
- Ford Pro Charging: Integrated and end-to-end solutions for home, public and depot charging for customers to make a seamless transition to electric vehicles
- Ford Pro Software: Business productivity tools that link gas, diesel and electric vehicles together to manage fleets holistically, on Ford or non-Ford vehicles, to improve uptime and cut costs
- Ford Pro Service: A network of commercial-focused dealers across the country with uptime tools embedded like mobile service which reduces downtime by servicing customer needs where convenient for their business
- Ford Pro Financing: Simplified financing, invoicing and bundled solutions to make back-office management as hassle-free as possible
At the launch of the E-Transit Custom in Frankfurt Germany, Peter Watt, Communications Manager at Ford Pro Europe, emphasised that the Ford Pro platform is designed to make life easier for SMEs. These businesses are often time-poor, with owners and managers juggling multiple responsibilities. Ford Pro’s integrated solutions provide them with simple, effective tools to manage their fleets without the need for extensive expertise or additional staff.
A practical example of Ford Pro’s capabilities is the connected fleet of vehicles driven by users during recent demonstrations. These vehicles are linked to Ford Pro’s telematics software, allowing fleet managers to monitor their status and manage charging in real-time. This connectivity extends to smart charging boxes, which provide data on charging status and optimise energy use based on available tariffs, ensuring cost-effective and efficient operation.
As Ford Pro continues to expand its offerings, it remains focused on delivering solutions that drive productivity and profitability for its customers. The launch of the E-Transit Custom is just the beginning, with more innovations on the horizon aimed at further simplifying and enhancing fleet management for businesses of all sizes.
Ford Pro is more than just a vehicle provider; it’s a comprehensive partner for businesses looking to embrace the future of transportation. By offering a holistic suite of tools and services, Ford Pro is poised to lead the charge in the electrification and modernisation of commercial fleets across Europe.
