Police fleet consortiums go for Ford in big way

Police forces across the country have chosen Ford to supply more than 1,000 new vehicles in 2016.

Transit Custom models make up the lion’s share of the mammoth order, with nearly three quarters of them set to head to force fleets – half being converted to cell vans for transporting detainees.

A fifth of the giant contract wins – embracing 50 forces nationwide – is for the versatile Kuga all-wheel drive vehicle with the rest of the order comprising Ranger pick-ups and Transit Connects.

This order comes less than a month after the AA ordered more than 550 Ford Transit Custom and Courier vans for its nationwide recovery fleet.

Terry Adams, Ford’s Direct sales manager, said: “Ford has a long history of working with emergency services spanning 50 years.

“The stylish and capable Ford Kuga has established itself as their rural beat car of choice with all-important all-wheel drive necessary for winter conditions.”

The Transit Custom is used in every police region in the country, serving as cell vans, crime scene units, dog carriers and camera vans.

Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive Mondeo is considered the most effective estate car for transporting police dogs, he added.

Out of the 1,100 vehicle deal, the UK’s northern consortium of 22 police forces ordered 680 Ford models, including 120 Kuga SUVs and 560 Transit Custom medium vans.

Half of the Transit Customs will be supplied by Ford as cell vans, converted by its Special Vehicle Preparation (SVP) operation into a vehicle capable of securely transporting two detainees, accompanied by up to five police officers.

Ford Kuga and Transit Custom were also top of the SUV and van wish list of the country’s southern consortium, which includes six fire services as well as 28 police forces.

They also added 110 Ford Transit Connect light vans and 30 Ranger pick-ups to the 80 Kugas and 200 Transit Customs which made up their Ford order.

British Transport Police, South Wales Police and Dyfed Powys Police already operate Kugas on fleet, while the Ford Transit Custom is used in every police region in the country, with roles as cell vans, crime scene units, dog carriers and camera vans.