Vans are back

The Ford Transit, one of the best-selling vans in the world, has been in constant production since 1965 and is now available in SA in several new and exciting configurations with added features. If you are looking for space, The Ford Transit Van has 15.1 cubic meters of cargo space in the back. That’s 15,100 litres or the space to pack in 629 grocery shopping bags. The Ford Transit Custom Sport, which is available with all the same driving technology found in a luxury sedan. From Ford’s hands-free SYNC®2 entertainment centre, lane-keeping alert, parking sensors, cruise control, rear-view camera, and electronic stability control, the Ford Transit Custom Sport could be the new ride for your family.

Listed below are 10 unique custom Ford Vans

1.    The Limo

Stretch limousines are out of date. So Chicago-based Windy City Limousines converted their Ford Transit into a plush ride equipped to carry 13 passengers in luxury and style – with a wooden floor, black leather couch-style seating and two flat-screen televisions.

2.    The Snowboarder

This shred-ready Ford Transit is modified with a custom boot dryer, snowboard rack, tuning bench and portable DJ booth to make snowboarding even more fun for its riders. “It’s an absolute dream of a creative hub that we can do anything out of,” says So-Gnar CEO Pat Milbery.

3.    The Artist

The first Ford Transit buyer in the United States, ZL Feng, is an art professor and skilled artist who uses his van to transport his art to museums, galleries, art shows and art buyers’ homes.

4.    The Coffee Shop

What better way to bring the people coffee than with a stylish mobile coffee shop. The Grateful Grail mobile coffee shop cruises around Baltimore, visiting local music festivals and events. Brothers and Grateful Grail owners Brian and David Seward customized the van themselves.

5.    The Surfer Dude

Champion surfer Izzy Paskowitz and his Surfers Healing team use a Ford Transit to transport surfboards, beach gear and life jackets as they introduce kids with autism to surfing.

 6.    The Caterer

Catering and vans go hand in hand. The jumbo Ford Transit van, used by Park Place Caterers in Ford HQ’s back yard, is customized with a liftgate and inverter to power a refrigerator and hotbox – delivering deliciousness to the local community.

7.    The Animal Rescuer

Shultz’s Guest House uses its Ford Transit to transport orphaned dogs – sometimes from several states away – to a private farm in Dedham, USA, where they are safe from being euthanized until permanent homes are found for them.

 8.    The Food Truck

Everyone’s favourite kind of van. The Spread’s Ford Transit is a mobile deli – serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps and fresh-baked bagels.

9.    The Pet Stylist

Wag ’n Tails Mobile Conversions in Granger, USA, converts Ford Transit vans into fully self-contained mobile pet grooming studios, complete with full-size tubs, hydro-massage shampoo systems, grooming tables, blow dryers, vacuums and fridges.

10.  The Mobility Van

Eighty-six-year-old Forrest Baker explores the Pacific Northwest with the help of his specially modified Ford Transit, which includes a lift for his off-road wheelchair, high-visibility lights and bull guard. “Without a doubt, this is the finest purpose-built vehicle I have ever had the pleasure of owning,” Baker wrote to his Ford dealership where he has been a loyal customer for more than 45 years.

 Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

Coscharis Motors Introduces Ford Brands, introduces robust after sales package

Coscharis Motors, a foremost automobile dealer and representatives of Ford Motor Corporation in Nigeria, recently introduced the 2016 edition of three Ford brands namely; Ford Explorer, Ford Figo, and the Ford Ranger, into the Nigerian market. 

Coscharis Motors also unveiled it's Ford Protect package (in replacement to the ESP - Extended Service Plan) on all Ford variants purchased in any of Coscharis Motors offices within Nigeria. The package offers free service for 4 years or 120,000 kilometres whichever comes first, to its existing and prospective customers on all variants of the Ford brand purchased from any Coscharis Motors showrooms nation-wide. Customers will also enjoy; Free oil change, Free tyre rotation, Free brake pads, Free wiper blades, Free belts and hoses and Free shocks. 

L - R: Fabian Anuforo, Fleet Sales Manager, Ford, Coscharis Motors; Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group; Vasant Rele, General Manager, After sales, Ford, Coscharis Motors during the media parley to officially unveil the 2016 new models of Fird vehicles and Ford Protect Campaign at Coscharis Ford Showroom in Lagos recently.

The General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Mr. Abiona Babarinde explained that the Ford Protect scheme is in line with the vision Henry Ford had over 100 years ago, which seeks to make automobiles available and affordable to all mankind. Another reason for the offer is our desire to take over our customers’ worries about vehicle maintenance and free their minds so that they can focus more on the accomplishment of their primary objectives in business and leisure.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

VW unveils T-Prime Concept

The T-Prime Concept GTE, officially unveiled at Auto China 2016 in Beijing on Monday, is a premium off-roader with a hybrid powertrain and, according to Volkswagen, a car that not only gives a first clear idea of the company's next flagship, but of the direction in which the entire industry is moving.

Demand for SUVs and crossovers has never been greater and this demand is something that consumers in all markets around the world have in common. The crossover has usurped the compact hatchback as Europe's favorite car, SUVs are outperforming everything except for pickups in the US, and, according to VW's stats, the appetite for full-size comfort-focused SUVs is expected to grow some 18% over the next six years in China.

Unlike a number of recent VW SUV concepts, this one looks almost production ready and a worthy visual successor to the Touareg, right down to its impressive plug-in hybrid powertrain.

It's capable of outputting a combined 375hp, of running for 50km on battery power alone and of hitting 100km/h in 6 seconds. However, it also offers a potential NEDC cycle fuel economy of 87mpg.

The interior is also a very digital affair, with touch screens, voice commands and gestures; "this type of human-machine interface could become the norm in the top segment. Progress is immediately apparent here, because the real automobile is melding with the virtual world that is so real today," said Dr. Frank Welsch, VW's head of Technical Development.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

Ford Ranger Owners Drive Smarter with 10 functional Drive-assist features

For more than 20 years, the Ranger has proven to be one of Ford’s most popular pickups across the globe, providing thousands of customers with Built Ford Tough capabilities. Having gone through a comprehensive global development programme, the Ranger is built in Africa, designed from the ground up with African conditions and consumers in mind.

The Ranger – one of the toughest, smartest and most capable pick-ups in the market - is packed with driver assist features aimed at providing customers with improved utility, comfort and convenience. Here are ten examples of driver assist features that see the Ranger delivering smart solutions to Ford customers, features that ensure that driving through the streets of Lagos is a breeze. Here are the various features available in the different models clearly explained:

SYNC®2 connectivity system.   The voice-activated SYNC®2 system helps drivers stay connected and in control. It features a full colour multifunctional display for easy menu navigation.

 The Trailer Sway Control.  This feature is part of the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system and uses information from its sensors – such as yaw, acceleration and steering angle. If swaying is detected without appropriate driver input, the Ranger is designed to react accordingly to correct the instability.

Adaptive Load Control.  Smart technology that assists you confidently to keep loads under control by providing vehicle stability.

Hill Descent Control.  Brakes are automatically applied, as needed, to slow the vehicle to a set speed without the driver needing to touch the pedal. Speed can be adjusted through the accelerator and the Cruise Control buttons on the steering wheel. The feature works in both forward and reverse.

Hill Launch Control.  Hill launch control helps the driver pull away on steep climbs.

Front and Rear Park Assist.  This feature uses sensors to detect obstacles and provide audible warnings when the vehicle approaches obstructions at low speeds, such as when parking. A rear-view camera gives a clear view behind the vehicle, giving greater confidence when parking and hitching up a trailer.

Individual tyre pressure monitoring system. Individual monitors show air pressure readings for each tyre and alerts the driver when an individual tyre is low.

Rollover Mitigation.  This feature closely monitors the vehicle's speed, lateral acceleration, yaw motion and steering angle, and will identify potentially dangerous driving conditions that would lead to the vehicle rolling over.  Rollover mitigation intervenes by controlling the vehicle’s speed and restoring stability.

Cruise Control.  This feature automatically controls the speed of the Ranger and ensures it keeps a steady speed as set by the driver.

Emergency Brake Assist.  The provision of additional pressure to the brake system to increase braking force when you apply the brakes quickly in an emergency situation.

With all these driver assist features, there can be no doubt that Ford’s tough Ranger is equipped and ready for Nigerian roads– offering style, comfort and the best driving possible.

Bentley launches new GT Speed and Black Edition

Bentley unveils today the revised Continental GT Speed, raising the bar even further in terms of exclusivity and performance making it the fastest production Bentley ever, with a top speed of 206 mph (331 km/h). A Black Edition model joins the speed family. Performance is improved bringing even greater acceleration performance. As a result, the 0-60 mph sprint time has dropped to just 3.9 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 secs). The Black Edition also features contrast colours to the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser in four different shades: Hallmark, Beluga, St James’ Red and a new shade, Cyber Yellow. Customers can also choose to colour-match the door mirrors as a final exterior accent.

It takes 110 hours to handcraft each and every Continental GT at the Bentley factory in Crewe, Cheshire. The upgraded W12 engine applied to all Continental GT Speed models is entirely assembled by 30 dedicated Bentley colleagues over 12½ hours. Meanwhile, the sumptuous and technically complex unique interiors are handcrafted by the experts in Bentley’s Leather and Trim workshop. Each hide is carefully checked by hand and eye before being stitched, shaped and finished entirely by hand, rivalling the quality of the finest furniture and precise tolerances of jewelry and watch craftsmanship.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

Jaguar Land Rover Heritage renamed Jaguar Land Rover Classic

Jaguar Land Rover recently announced the renaming of its Heritage business to Jaguar Land Rover Classic. The re-branded division will continue to provide cars, services, parts and experiences for Classic Jaguar and Land Rovers and their owners. Jaguar Land Rover Classic can now accommodate full restorations of classic vehicles at its UK sites, as well as providing a repair and maintenance service for customers. Jaguar Classic will continue to use the historic Browns Lane facility, where the six continuation Lightweight E-types were built and a newly developed Land Rover Classic workshop at Solihull for the restoration of Land Rovers. Fully factory restored Jaguars and Land Rovers are now also available for purchase.

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “Renaming the rapidly growing global business to Jaguar Land Rover Classic best reflects the division’s overall capabilities in providing the best cars, services, parts and experiences for our customers. We aim to build an even more successful future by celebrating and nurturing Jaguar and Land Rover’s past.”

Jaguar Land Rover Classic Parts supplies genuine parts for models whose range has been out of production for over a decade. The parts catalogue has over 30,000 individual and guaranteed parts, available to order from Jaguar Land Rover’s global retail network. Specialist technical advisors have extensive product knowledge and selected parts are available to order on the day for collection at local retailers.

In addition to cars, services and parts, the Classic business also offers customers the opportunity to experience a selection of Jaguar and Land Rover’s most iconic models with Classic Drives. This is complemented by the second season of the Jaguar Classic Challenge race series for pre-1966 Jaguar models, which commences on 2 May 2016 at Donington Race Circuit in the UK.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

Ford Motors makes list of World most Ethical companies

Ford Motor Company is the only automaker named a 2016 World’s Most Ethical Company® by Ethisphere Institute today – a distinction that comes as ethics in business increasingly affects customers and their purchase decisions. “This honor celebrates our employees who are committed to doing the right things and making the right choices,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “Ethics and corporate citizenship are the foundation of what drives us to make people’s lives better.” This marks the seventh consecutive year Ethisphere Institute has named Ford a World’s Most Ethical Company.

Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, honors companies with top ratings in five categories – ethics and compliance, corporate citizenship and responsibilities, culture of ethics, governance and leadership and reputation. For decades, Ford has recognized the importance of strong corporate citizenship and how that ties to success and building the company’s reputation. More than half of respondents to the 2016 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient said they learn more about a company before deciding to do business with them. More than one-third decided not to do business with a company if they perceive the business has a negative reputation.

“Ford understands that trust is the cornerstone of everything it does, and their commitment to being an active part of a global community helps explain why they are the only automaker Ethisphere has recognized every year since 2010,” said Timothy Erblich, Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer. “Being honored for the seventh time is no small achievement. Congratulations to everyone at Ford for being recognized.”