TWO NEW FORD TRANSIT MODELS ON SALE FOR PEOPLE MOVERS

Two new Ford Transit models on sale for people movers

BRENTWOOD, 28 February, 2007 ??“ The Ford Transit range just got bigger with a new nine-seat Shuttle Bus, ideal for businesses such as hotels and taxi companies who need both passenger and luggage space. Another addition is the new 17-seat high roof Transit minibus which will appeal to schools, community groups and travel companies who need to transport a lot of people around safely and comfortably. (PressZoom) - BRENTWOOD, 28 February, 2007 ??“ The Ford Transit range just got bigger with a new nine-seat Shuttle Bus, ideal for businesses such as hotels and taxi companies who need both passenger and luggage space. Another addition is the new 17-seat high roof Transit minibus which will appeal to schools, community groups and travel companies who need to transport a lot of people around safely and comfortably.

Ford minibuses have many safety and comfort features as standard. The Lord's Taverners charity has now converted more than 800 Transit minibuses for its work to help children gain access to sport through their special needs organisations and schools.

"Our partnership with the Lord's Taverners charity epitomises why Transit is so popular. Transit has many options to choose from and its durability is ideal when additional special conversions are required. Couple this with its comfortable driving environment and it becomes the logical choice when a group has to consider what to buy," said Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain.

The new nine-seat Shuttle Bus has been created from the popular 12-seat Transit minibus. It allows operators to carry eight people plus the driver along with a useful amount of stowage. With more than 2.5 cubic metres of loadspace behind the third row of seats, it comes with two side load doors, giving generous access to the second and third row seats. Categorised as a car, it can be driven by anyone holding a car drivers licence, making it an ideal shuttle or transfer bus. This model is available with a 2.2-litre, Duratorq TDCi engine with a choice of 110PS or 130PS powertrain. Both have ESP as standard. The two variants are on sale now priced at ??19,465 and ??20,415 respectively.

This model will offer business operators and schools the maximum number of seats to transport their clients and students without the need for a special driving or operating licence or tachograph. This is a twin rear wheel, rear wheel drive vehicle and comes as either the current medium roof or the new high roof, extending customer choice.

The 17-seat Transit minibus is on sale now. On the road prices start at ??25,115 with the 2.4-litre, 100PS TDCi medium roof to ??27,165 for the 2.4-litre, 140PS TDCi high roof.

Common safety features on both nine- and 17-seat Transit minibuses are:

Driver and outer front passenger airbags

Electronic stability programme ( ESP )

ABS brakes

Three-point lap and diagonal seat belts

Anti-slip steps and illumination for ease of entry into passenger seating area

Easily accessible first aid kit

Fire extinguisher

Passenger grab handles

Front passenger and side door step illumination

Sliding side door passenger grab handle

Passenger carrying capacity signs

Door operating and emergency door decals.

The nine- and 17-seat buses also share some luxury touches as standard features:

Tinted glass

'Quickclear' front windscreen

Six-CD autochanger

Column stalk audio controls

Power windows

Power heated mirrors

Trip computer

Automatic headlights

Rain-sensing wipers.

Notes to Editors

All Ford Transit minibuses are equipped with seats and seat mountings that are tested to M1 levels. This is around twice the severity of legal testing requirements for commercial vehicles.

The new Ford Transit range, launched in June 2006, has already won several accolades: International Van of the Year 2007 and What Van? Best Security Panel Van ( Transit ) , Best Security, Light Van ( Connect ), Best Light Van ( Connect ), Best minibus ( Transit ), Best One-Stop-Shop Conversions ( Transit ) and from the Association of Car Fleet Operators ( ACFO ): Fleet Light Van of the Year ( Connect ) and Fleet Panel Van of the Year ( Transit ).

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