Ford's 2020-MY Fleet Preview

A record number of exhibitors displayed their products and services at the 2020 Fleet Preview, such as vehicle graphics companies that use decals to enhance a company’s brand awareness by transforming fleet vehicles into rolling billboards.

Malene Lane, fleet marketing manager, highlighted the versatility of the 2020 Transit citing the choice of three engines, three body lengths, three roof heights, and the availability of new driver-assist technologies.

Perry Fowler, general manager, rental & remarketing operations, announced the availability of a hybrid powertrain for the 2020 Ford Escape, which will be followed by a new plug-in hybrid.

Mark Buzzell, director of the Ford North American Fleet Lease and Remarketing Organization (NAFLRO), welcomed attendees to the 2020-MY Fleet Preview. Buzzell cited the importance of fleet to Ford as fleet sales represents almost one-third of its total sales. In addition, Ford has 680 Commercial Vehicle Center dealers with specially trained staffs to handle needs of small fleets.

John Ruppert, general manager, commercial vehicle sale, discussed the latest offerings from Ford for the 2020-MY, with 75% of its models either all-new or refreshed. This comes on the heels of 2019 -MY, which represented the largest number of commercial vehicle launches in the history of Ford Motor Co.

Lincoln had a prominent presence at the 2020 Fleet Preview with a Lincoln lounge and curated drive. The all-new 2020 Lincoln Aviator is positioned below Navigator in the Lincoln SUV lineup. A plug-in hybrid Aviator is offered as the Grand Touring model.

A new 10-speed automatic transmission is mated to every engine in the Transit lineup. Also a Crew Van model has been added to the Transit lineup in 2020. It can carry five people seated in two rows with side curtain airbags to protect the second row.

One exhibitor was Adrian Steel, which demonstrated its interior upfit packages and roof ladder rack for the Transit van. Adrian featured its modular products that can be integrated into the Transit, such as drawer units, hook bars, tank racks, and door kits.

Attendees were given ample time to test drive a wide variety of Ford and Lincoln models on street drives and demo courses. In addition to the driving opportunities there were in-depth product walk-around presentations by subject-matter experts.

One of the presenters was Philip Podgorny, U.S. fleet service operations manager, who discussed Ford’s latest fleet service initiatives, such as the national maintenance pricing program, which was developed following requests from Ford’s fleet customers who wanted consistent national pricing coast-to-coast. Currently, there are 1,000 Ford dealers and Quick Lanes participating in the program.

The 2020 Transit now offers a factory-installed full-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Attendees were able to test the Transit AWD by driving through an 80-foot sand pit with roller apparatus designed to transfer 100% torque from the rear to front wheels.

Mark Buzzell, Ford NAFLRO director, presented the 2020 Explorer ST. The Explorer ST is offered with new engine choices mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. In addition, an Explorer Hybrid model will also be available.

The 2020 Fleet Preview was designed to provide ample networking opportunities during the evening receptions and breaks for customers to connect with Ford personnel and suppliers to either build new relationships or strengthen existing partnerships.

Michele Bartlett, general manager, commercial vehicle marketing, showcased the 2020-MY F-250 Super Duty, which has a new look with a new grille, headlamps, and fascia. It also offers a new 7.3L V-8 gasoline engine and new driver-assist technologies.

Attendees had an opportunity to test drive the purpose-built next-generation Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which is offered with a standard hybrid AWD drivetrain. The Police Interceptor Utility is engineered to meet the 75-mph rear-impact crash test criteria.