- Ford launches Ford Telematics™ to help optimise performance of commercial vehicle fleets in Europe
- Ford Telematics, operated and powered by Telogis, can reduce fuel costs by up to 20 per cent*
- Real-time data streamed from each vehicle enables fleet managers to track vehicle location, fuel consumption, driver behaviour, and safety and maintenance alerts
- System offers fleets direct access to vehicle diagnostic data, enabling them to further reduce costs, help improve driver safety and optimise operations
- Ford Telematics debuts at 2014 IAA Hannover Commercial Vehicle Show; available to fleet customers as an aftermarket option from Transit Centres in selected markets
Ford is launching a new telematics system, operated and powered by Telogis, which will help European commercial vehicle customers improve the efficiency of their fleets, including potential fuel cost reductions of up to 20 per cent.
Ford Telematics™ uses real-time data streamed from each vehicle to enable fleet managers to track vehicle location, fuel consumption and driver behaviour, and safety or maintenance alerts, to optimise the way their fleet operates.
This innovative fleet management system offers businesses direct access to vehicle diagnostic data, providing increased opportunities to control costs and improve driver safety.
Making its debut at the 2014 IAA Hannover Commercial Vehicle Show, Ford Telematics will be available to fleet customers as a dealer-installed option in selected European markets, offered through Ford’s network of specialist Transit Centres.
“Ford Telematics is an innovative system that can deliver reductions in cost of ownership for businesses that operate Ford’s Transit commercial vehicles,” said Bill Frykman, manager, business and product development at Ford Motor Company. “Real-time vehicle location and diagnostic data provides fleet customers with a powerful tool to manage their vehicles more effectively and also encourage safer driving.”
Ford Telematics functions by transmitting vehicle data from the vehicle to a dedicated Telogis website via an embedded cellular connection. In addition to location data from a GPS module, this includes information sourced directly from the vehicle’s electronic systems.
The telematics system’s ability to access proprietary Ford vehicle data enables operators to track details such as oil change warnings, water contamination in diesel fuel, tyre pressures, safety belt usage and airbag status.
“Ford Telematics powered by Telogis gives Ford’s European commercial customers access to data that has a transformational effect on the way they do business,” said Greg Dziewit, vice president of OEM business at Telogis. “The advanced telematics capabilities built into Ford Telematics is a crucial companion to any Ford Transit vehicle purchase in order to help fleets of any size cut costs while improving the safety of their drivers and the overall efficiency of their business.”
Based on the real-time data, the Ford Telematics powered by Telogis software platform delivers a comprehensive range of actionable business information that enables fleet managers to operate their vehicles in the most efficient way and to help ensure drivers are following safe and economical driving practices.
In real-world use of telematics systems, fleet operators report fuel savings of up to 20 per cent resulting from optimised vehicle usage and driving routes and improved driving behaviour, along with benefits to driver safety and vehicle durability.
The additional diagnostic information provided by Ford Telematics also will provide advanced notice of servicing requirements or technical issues, so that businesses can maximise the efficient use of the vehicle whilst helping to minimise repair costs and vehicle downtime.
Ford Telematics is compatible with Ford’s latest range of Transit commercial vehicles – including the all-new Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – as well as the Ford Ranger pickup.
“Ford Telematics is another example of Ford facilitating the delivery of smart technology to help our customers enjoy the highest quality, safest and most sustainable operation of commercial vehicles available today,” said Steve Barrow, commercial vehicles service operations manager, Ford of Europe.
* Benefits of Fleet Management Systems – Frost & Sullivan 2012
