All-New Ford Transit And Tourneo Custom Break New Ground As First One-Tonne Vans To Earn Five-Star Euro NCAP Rating

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – Dec 13, 2012: The all-new Ford Transit Custom has broken new ground to earn a first-in-class five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

The Ford Tourneo Custom, the company’s latest passenger vehicle also now on sale, attracted the same top Euro NCAP score.

The 2013 “International Van of the Year” scored 77 per cent overall after being subjected to Euro NCAP’s new heavy vehicle crash tests; achieving best–in-class marks for child protection (90 per cent), adult protection (84 per cent) and safety features (71 per cent).

Ford also received the first-ever Euro NCAP Advanced rewards for technology available on a commercial vehicle. Lane Keeping Alert brings Ford’s total of different Advanced rewards to seven – more than any other manufacturer. Ford also achieved a further Advanced reward for SYNC with Emergency Assistance.

“Transit Custom redefines safety in its sector,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “We’ve combined a high strength steel structure, a pedestrian-friendly front end and segment-leading safety technologies to create a van that provides the best protection available – something fleet customers and owner operators will appreciate.”

The all-new Ford Transit Custom one-tonne van is engineered to deliver outstanding occupant and pedestrian protection in all accident situations. Its bodyshell features more than 40 per cent high strength and ultra-high strength steels and the vehicle was subjected to more than 4,500 virtual crash simulations and 30 physical crash tests during development.

It is engineered with a comprehensive range of features in the front end of the vehicle which are carefully designed to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians; and is the first Transit to be available with an enhanced restraint system with curtain airbags for front seat occupants.

“With such good protection for its occupants and also for pedestrians, the Ford Transit Custom is undoubtedly setting a high standard,” said Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general, Euro NCAP. “Testing vehicles in this segment is a new departure for Euro NCAP and it is pleasing that consumers wishing to purchase five-star vehicles of this size can now do so.”

Lane Keeping Alert technology vibrates the steering wheel and triggers an alert in the display cluster to warn the driver if the system detects the vehicle is drifting out of lane.

SYNC with Emergency Assistance enables Transit Custom to assist the occupants to call the local emergency services operator in an industry-leading 26 languages, spoken in 40 European regions. It uses information from the on-board GPS unit, map and mobile network to pinpoint the accident location and calls emergency services via an occupant’s Bluetooth connected mobile phone.

“The Euro NCAP Advanced rewards recognise safety innovation of the highest level and Ford is the first manufacturer to receive one for a vehicle tested under the heavy vehicle protocol,” said Andre Seeck, president, Euro NCAP. “Transit Custom owners will now be able to benefit from safety and driver assistance technologies which were previously only available on passenger cars.”