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Ford Transit Custom, Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok win international awards
Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023 | Author: George Barrow
The Ford Transit Custom has been named the International Van of the Year (IVOTY), while the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok have been named joint winners of the International Pick-up Award (IPUA).
The Ford Transit Custom beat the Iveco eDaily and Renault Trafic E-Tech to the prestigious van title, which was announced at a gala dinner at the Solutrans commercial vehicle show in Lyon.
The new co-developed Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok were named winners of IPUA with both models securing an unprecedented ‘hat-trick’ in the awards. The Ranger added to the titles it won in 2013 and 2020 while the Amarok won the inaugural trophy in 2011 and again in 2018.
“Following the IPUA 2023 Group Tests, held in Greece last month, it was impossible to separate the two models from each other, as both the new Ranger and Amarok were co-developed and are made at the Ford factory in South Africa. Although a collaboration project, each manufacturer has managed to maintain their unique styling and driving traits, which customers will testify,” explained Jarlath Sweeney, chairman of the International Pick-Up Award jury.
Commenting prior to the twin trophy presentation, Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe, said: “We are very proud that the IVOTY jury has bestowed this prestigious award on the all-new Transit Custom. As the leading one-tonne van of choice for European customers, the all-new Transit Custom has been designed and engineered to meet their wide-ranging needs. Along with our award-winning diesel, customers will soon also have the choice of electric and PHEV versions too. Every model is packed with innovation and superfast connectivity to Ford Pro’s uptime, charging and productivity software ecosystem to help our customers’ businesses thrive.”
The IVOTY win is the fifth for Ford, having won twice with the Ford Transit and also being named a winner on two previous occasions with the Ford Transit Custom.
Schep added: “We are delighted that the Ford Ranger has been recognised by the IPUA jury for the third time, which is testament to its enduring appeal as Europe’s favourite pickup for the past eight years. The new Ford Ranger has the most comprehensive series choice yet, offering customers the on-road refinement and off-road capability to suit work days and weekends. It’s built ready for work and play.”
Volkswagen member of the brand management board responsible for procurement, Karl Bernqvist, said: “The Amarok is a pick-up that delivers reliable performance both on and off the road. It impressed the jury in both cases. The International Pick-up Award for 2024/2025 means the Amarok has already achieved the ‘treble’ in just 14 years of production. This demonstration of trust honours the entire team at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. We would like to say thank you!”
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