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| By adding ABS as standard
across the Transit range, as well as a host of other features,
Ford is taking on the role of safety leader on commercial
vehicles |
Industry-leading safety levels that exceed the legal minimum standards
are built into commercial vehicles and minibuses manufactured by
Ford. The Essex-based manufacturer leads the commercial vehicle
market in the UK with the ubiquitous Transit, and the company has
now added the all-new Transit Connect.
The Transit is Britain’s best-selling commercial vehicle and
is available in bodystyles ranging from traditional panel van to
17-seat minibus to chassis cab and double cab.
Testimony to Ford’s industry-leading safety status is the
decision to add ABS as standard across the Transit range with effect
from 2004 model year production, which starts in July with vehicles
entering showrooms later that month.
The decision, which comes with no price increase, has been prompted
by the demands of fleet customers and their increasing focus on
at-work driver safety. Commercial vehicle marketing manager Jon
Fisher says: “Historically, we have taken the position of
safety leadership in the industry on commercial vehicles. We believe
that the market is ready for us to move to the next stage which
we believe is the standardisation of ABS on Transit.
“The market is ready because more and more fleet operators
have been raising the issue with us as they see it as their top
priority. Health and safety is becoming a bigger issue within the
industry and with our customers. It is also important that we maintain
our market leadership.”
Versatility is the key to the long-time success of the Transit,
but safety and security leadership have been key features of the
line-up for many years with vehicles tested to a similar level to
cars.
While there is no requirement for commercial vehicles to be put
through handling tests such as the “elk” test, Ford
carries out simulation and real-world tests to ensure the highest
possible levels of safe handling are achieved.
A driver’s airbag and three-point seatbelts for all passengers
are standard across the Ford commercial vehicle range. Meanwhile,
crucial to protecting driver and passengers in the event of an accident
is the ability to protect against load movement.
That is why Ford offers a range of bulkheads separating the cab
from the load area. Depending on the loads being carried, bulkheads
available range from “ladder-frame and half-height”
to a “full” solid steel full-width bulkhead or even
a “folding mesh” bulkhead which forms a “cage”
around the driver.
In addition a significant amount of work has gone into providing
van users with a wide range of tiedown loops and cargo stowage rails
as well as, on the recently launched Transit Connect, a range of
pre-threaded reinforced fixing points allowing the fitment of universal
racking systems or shelving without the need to drill holes into
the vehicle.
Commercial vehicle director Steve Parker says: “In a crash
many of the injuries caused to the driver and passengers are as
a result of the load being carried moving. It is absolutely vital
that van users firmly secure the loads being carried.
“By ensuring the rigidity of the vehicle and by providing
numerous fixing points for loads and racking we are playing our
part in improving safety for both van operators and other road users.
However, there is a responsibility on the user to make sure that
tie-down eyes are used and racking systems are fitted and used correctly.
“Ford provides a huge number of features on commercial vehicles
to improve the safety of road users. In many cases we work very
closely with major fleets to develop vehicles, as safety is a crucial
Considerate
driving part of their health and safety at work policies.
“Major fleets understand the value of investing in safety
features and making sure employees use them on all journeys. But
we must ensure that individual operators who may employ casual drivers
are just as safety focused.”
While factory-completed vehicles are crash tested, the range of
modifications to Transits, many of which are undertaken by external
suppliers, such as bodybuilders, means that Ford has to be assured
that structural integrity remains intact.
Mr Parker says: “With the range of conversions available,
it is very important that we work closely with bodybuilders. We
issue recommendations on safety levels that we believe bodybuilders
should adhere to in undertaking conversions.”
However, while minibuses carrying up to nine people must meet the
same safety criteria as cars, minibuses carrying 10 or more people
must meet HGV safety standards. That, however, is not good enough
for Ford which tests all minibuses to car-like standards including
seats and seat mountings.
“Our minibus safety test levels are twice as stringent as
the law requires,” says Mr Fisher. “But we believe that
occupants should enjoy the same level of safety as car occupants.
We test all seats and seat mountings to the same level of that for
cars.” Minibuses are typically operated by schools, education
authorities and charities to ferry groups of people between locations,
or are rented. Twin-front airbags, three-point seatbelts for driver
and passengers and ABS brakes are standard on all minibuses.
Mr Fisher says: “We are continually adding safety features
and designing safety into minibuses because that is what customers
expect. We have consistently taken a leadership stance in providing
levels of safety equipment on minibuses and we are the only manufacturer
to produce plant-built vehicles which meet car standards for seats
and seat mountings.”
Additional minibus safety features include the “Schedule 6”
pack factory-fitted to the Transit Bus which includes: first aid
kit, location decals, fire extinguisher, “A”-pillar
passenger assist grab handle, front passenger side and rear doorstep
illumination, sliding side door passenger grab handle, passenger
carrying capacity decals, door operating decals and emergency door
decals.
Standard Transit and Transit Connect safety features at a glance
• Integrated three-point seat belt for driver and all passengers
• Driver’s airbag
• Passenger airbag is standard on minibuses (optional on vans)
• Side airbags are an option on Transit Connect
• ABS brakes (optional on Transit Connect)
• Large-profile door mirrors with enhanced visibility
• A wide choice of bulkheads to separate the cab area from
the loadbox
• Tie-down eyes |
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