Ford Pursues 'Good' Fleet Business
February 26, 2008

By Michelle Krebs

The not-so-good fleet business — the daily rental-car business automakers are trying to depart — has been much discussed in recent years. But there’s the often-ignored “good” fleet business, which Ford in particular is trying to capitalize on in the U.S. as it has done so well in Europe.

Ford has made a number of recent moves to enhance its position in the profitable commercial-fleet sector. Its latest comes this week with the introduction of a freshened E-Series van at a commercial vehicle show in Atlanta.

Freshened E-Series Van for '09

Ford is unveiling the 2009 E-Series on Tuesday at the National Truck Equipment Association 2008 Work Truck Show in Atlanta, the largest event in North America dedicated to Class 1-8 vocational trucks and equipment.

Built at Ford’s Avon Lake, Ohio, plant, the E-Series van got a freshened exterior for the 2008 model; the interior is revised for 2009 with new features added.

Ford says the E-Series has been the full-size van leader for 29 years running, and Ford is the commercial-vehicle leader in the U.S. with 40 percent market share.

New Commercial Family Member
Ford apparently is trying to expand its commercial-vehicle leadership with the addition of the Ford Transit Connect, introduced earlier this month at the Chicago auto show.

The Transit Connect is a diminutive, fuel-sipping delivery truck/van that has lots of potential for small-business owners as well as personal-use buyers.

Built in Turkey, the Transit Connect has been extremely successful for Ford in Europe.

Work Solutions
In addition to the revamped E-Series van and the new Ford Transit Connect, Ford introduced at the Chicago auto show an innovative package of affordable electronic products that will be available on 2009 versions of the E-Series van, F-150 pickup and F-Series Super Duty pickup.

Called Ford Work Solutions, the features packages include:

An in-dash computer developed with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provides full high-speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and navigation by Garmin. Ford claims it is the first broadband-capable in-dash computer in production. The system allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks  — from the job site.

Tool Link, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) asset-tracking system developed in partnership with DEWALT, the industry leader in professional power tools, and ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology. This enables customers to maintain a detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.

Crew Chief, a fleet telematics and diagnostics system, which allows small-fleet owners to efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites and keep detailed vehicle-maintenance records.

Cable Lock security system developed in partnership with Master Lock, the industry-leading lock manufacturer, to discourage theft of expensive tools too large to fit in the cab.

Posted by Michelle Krebs at 8:57 AM under Business , Ford | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine