Seventh Fleet Victory for Ford Transit Connect at ACFO Awards

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – November 25, 2009: Ford Transit Connect has won Light Van of the Year in ACFO's Fleet Car and Vans Awards for the seventh successive year.

The award was collected from the former Association of Car Fleet Operators by Ford of Britain fleet director Kevin Griffin, who said: “For ACFO members to vote Ford Transit Connect their winner seven years running is an honour. It is recognition of Ford’s commercial vehicle success and why we remain the choice of thousands of British businesses.”

ACFO’s Fleet Car and Vans of the Year Awards are among the most prestigious prizes in the fleet industry because they result from a poll of the association’s 800-plus members. Judging is based on members’ practical experiences of their own fleet vehicles during a 12-month period, taking into account driver opinions, running costs and the efficiency of the dealer network.

A switch from secret postal balloting to a secure online voting system this year resulted in a 20 per cent increase in votes. Julie Jenner, chair of ACFO, the premier organisation for fleet operators, said: “The awards continue to represent the true face of fleet operations, rather than showroom appeal.

“The 2009 awards mark a sea change. Our move online has been rewarded with members voting in record numbers for their favourite vehicles, which is both pleasing and underlines the importance our members attach in feeding back their views to manufacturers.”