Transit Connect scoops second successive international award

The Transit Connect has been received with open arms by the international commercial vehicle community after having scooped the ‘International Van of the Year’ accolade at the COMTRANS Commercial Vehicle Exhibition for the second year running.

Ford, which has enjoyed a rich vein of success in recent years, notched-up its record equalling fifth ‘International Van of the Year’ title after the Transit Connect was award a grand total of 130 points from a possible 163 by a jury of 24 motoring journalists from across Europe. In second and third place came the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Renault Kangoo respectively.

The Transit Connect is the latest addition to a four strong Transit range, which represents the vanguard of the redesign of Ford’s commercial vehicle line-up. The Transit Connect joins the ranks alongside the Transit Custom, the soon to be released two-tonne Transit and the Transit Courier models which will be released in 2014.

The Ford Transit Connect was praised for its design, drivability, load-carrying capacity and safety. It is these attributes, along with its durability and market leading fuel economy, which made the Connect the clear winner.

The jury judging the awards were particularly impressed by the emphasis the Ford team had placed on the vehicle’s economics when designing the Connect. Pieter Wieman, chairman of the ‘International Van of the Year’ jury, said: “The vehicle represents an excellent solution to the needs of small van operators as well as big fleets to reduce the cost of transporting goods”.

Stephen Lesh, chief designer of the Transit Connect, which is available for delivery in late 2013, said: “The team at Ford has worked tirelessly to deliver the perfect vehicle for hard-working customers. This is a wonderful day for all those involved and for the Transit Connect across Europe”.