Ford scores awards hat-trick 2012 Fleet World Honours
Ford has added a trio of awards to its trophy cabinet after attending the 2012 Fleet World Honours.
The Blue Oval scooped gongs for its EcoBoost engine, Ford Ranger and Ford Transit.
Indeed, Ford's new one-litre turbo-powered EcoBoost engine received the Innovation Award, which the judging panel said is a petrol engine capable of challenging the best diesel units.
Fleet World editor Steve Moody said that while diesel dominates the fleet industry, the "brilliant" new EcoBoost engine has seen Ford prove that petrol "can offer an alternative"
The expert went as far as to say that the new engine, which is already available in the Ford Focus, is a "game changer".
For the third year in a row the Ford Transit was awarded a prize, this year scooping the Best Large Van gong.
The panel said it is easy to see why the model has been one of the country's most popular for nearly half a century.
John Kendall, Van Fleet World editor, said: "It has been the best-selling van in Britain for the past 47 years and there's no denying Ford's thorough approach to engineering the Transit, nor the all-round quality of the product.
"Ford was the first to offer a choice of front- or rear-wheel drive in the 3.5-tonne sector 12 years ago, giving fleets a comprehensive choice of drivetrain and body styles according to need."
Completing the hat-trick was the Ford Ranger, which was this year named as Best Pick-up.
The panel claimed that the unrivalled choice of options and the SUV-like driving controls made the Ranger a clear winner.
Kevin Griffin, Ford of Britain fleet director, welcomed the wins and said that with the Fleet World Awards being among the most competitive and firmly judged in the industry, the triumph should not be underestimated.
Posted by Sebastian Turkenburg