DUNTON, UK, March 14, 2024 – The bold yellow AA van is an icon of the British road.

Ford has supported the UK-based motoring organisation to provide roadside assistance to members for approximately half a century.

Now, Ford Pro is working closely with The AA to integrate digital solutions that help it provide an improved experience for members, employees and the business as a whole.

In a new video, members of The AA’s team describe how the Ford Pro Upfit Integration System (UIS) and SYNC integration module are helping them operate more efficiently and effectively.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/7mS3BbmL4Co

Case study – The AA:

The AA provides roadside assistance to more than 14 million members in the UK. The motoring organisation has a rich history of innovation that includes pioneering roadside petrol pumps, road signs and mobile patrols in the 1920s.

Originally motorcycles, those mobile patrols nowadays comprise a fleet of more than 2,700 vehicles including members of Ford Pro’s Transit family.

In April 2023, The AA began an extended trial using an all-new Transit Custom ^1,2 equipped with UIS. The system seamlessly integrates control of specialist tools and equipment into the van’s factory-fitted human machine interface (HMI), enabling patrols to activate via the 13-inch central touchscreen everything from LED hazard beacons to breakdown diagnostics, jump-start connection points and towing equipment.

In addition to reducing conversion costs and retaining compatibility with the Ford warranty, integrating controls into the Transit Custom HMI also has the potential reduce administration overheads. For The AA, using UIS meant no longer needing to combine equipment from 11 different companies.

Removing the extra screens, switches and mounting brackets required for individually-sourced control units – as well as the requirement to drill holes in the interior to fit them – also made the cabin space a neater and more pleasant environment. That is important to The AA because:

• AA patrol vans often carry members as passengers while their vehicles are being recovered. A neater cabin means a better customer experience.
• Integrating controls into the HMI makes operating equipment more intuitive and less demanding for The AA’s patrols, and The AA believes it also helps to reduce driver distraction while driving.
• When attending a breakdown at the side of fast-moving or busy highways, The AA requires its patrols to exit their van using the kerb-side passenger door for safety. With less clutter in the cabin, it’s easier for them to slide across.

The AA Transit Custom trial vehicle also featured Ford Pro's new SYNC integration module. This module made it possible to connect a third-party touchscreen display located in the load area – used to access parts information and other AA systems – and duplicate that display on the Transit Custom’s 13-inch screen, so that patrols can access the systems from the cabin.

Full integration of specialist equipment electronics into the vehicle’s control systems allowed The AA to set its own logic for operation, for example; only allowing jump leads to be activated when the vehicle is in neutral with the parking brake engaged.

As a result of the trial, The AA has ordered more than 700 Transit Customs equipped with Ford Pro’s digital solutions, including 15 electric E-Transit Custom ^3,4 models and 15 Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid models. ^5,2

Quotes:

“Having a system that allows our patrols to operate crucial systems from one interface is ideal for us. It also needs to be intuitive and require minimal touch, because it’s essential that our patrols are not distracted while they’re driving. The Upfit Integration System has allowed us to tick all those boxes.”

Tony Rich, PR manager, The AA

“In the past, customers with specialist conversions could end up with lots of extra switches and wiring. The Ford Pro Upfit Integration System integrates everything into Transit Custom's 13‑inch display, so now drivers can control the full vehicle upfit using just the touchscreen."

Ryan Wells, special vehicles, Ford Pro, Europe

Ford Pro facts:

• Ford Pro’s first-to-market UIS enables converters to seamlessly connect the Transit Custom’s electrical system, standard in-cab touchscreen, and aftermarket equipment
• UIS is also available on 2024 Transit ^6,2 and E-Transit ^7,4 models with deliveries commencing this summer.
• Ford Pro Telematics ⁸ turns connected vehicle data into insights and alerts that simplify fleet management. Ford Pro E-Telematics ⁸ uses live data to help maximise electric fleet productivity and support effective use of Ford Pro Charging.
• The FORDLiive connected uptime system uses a feed of live data from Ford vehicles, dealers and roadside assistance network to track repairs and respond to emerging issues. Last year, FORDLiive delivered 700,000 days of additional uptime to customers in Europe, worth around €320 million.
• Ford Pro Charging integrates consultancy, commercial-grade depot charging installations and software to deliver end-to-end charging solutions – plus support for home and public charging.
• Ford Pro will offer an all-electric commercial vehicle portfolio from 2035. The company has already revealed all-electric commercial vehicles including E-Transit, E-Transit Custom, ^9,4 E-Transit Courier, ^10,4 E-Tourneo Custom ^11,4 and E-Tourneo Courier. ^10,4
• Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid and Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid ^5,2 will be joined by Transit Connect Plug-In Hybrid ^12,2 at the end of 2024 and Ranger Plug-In Hybrid pickup ^13,2 in early 2025.

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¹ Transit Custom EcoBlue diesel homologated CO­₂ emissions 178-296 g/km WLTP, homologated fuel efficiency 6.8-11.3 l/100 km WLTP.

² The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO₂-emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.

³ In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A range of up to 337 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.

⁴ The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g. weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery).

⁵ Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid and Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid homologated CO₂ emissions 33-65 g/km WLTP, homologated fuel efficiency 1.4-2.9 l/100 km WLTP and pure electric driving range 39-56 km WLTP.

⁶ Transit EcoBlue diesel homologated CO­₂ emissions 210-291 g/km WLTP, homologated fuel efficiency 8.0-11.2 l/100 km WLTP

⁷ In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A range of up to 317 km (intended target value according to WLTP) can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.

⁸ Ford Pro Telematics and Ford Pro E-Telematics are available complimentary for one year from the warranty start date, and then on a subscription basis, subject to agreement to Ford Smart Mobility terms and conditions, and provides a comprehensive suite of features in addition to vehicle health including location and mapping, driving behaviour, fuel/energy usage, multi-make capabilities and a companion app for drivers to interface with fleet managers. Fleet customers can contact the Ford Pro Software Command Centre at softwaresolutions@fordpro.com for information about these Ford Telematics products. Data availability subject to data connectivity and access to vehicle data.

⁹ In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A range of up to 337 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.

¹⁰ Officially homologated driving range will be published closer to on-sale date. Published range (intended target value according to WLTP) can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.

¹¹ In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A range of up to 325 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.

¹² Officially homologated driving range, fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions will be published closer to on-sale date. In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A targeted range of 110 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.

¹³ Officially homologated driving range, fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions will be published closer to on-sale date. In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A targeted range of more than 45 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration.