Business Fleet, November/December 2020

FORD TO OFFER MAINSTREAM HANDS FREE TECH ON F 150 Ford plans to introduce its Active Drive Assist hands free driver assist system on 2021 MY F 150 and 2021 MY Mustang Mach E included as standard on certain models or as a relatively affordable option on others with both vehicles becoming available to customers in late 2020 The technology will become available in the third quarter of 2021 via an over the air update an early demonstration of the Ford systems capability to wirelessly update nearly all vehicle computer models Ford said in a statement Ford expects to sell more than 100000 F 150 and Mustang Mach E vehicles equipped with the technology hardware in their first year the company said Active Drive Assist allows for hands free driving on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands Free Zones that make up over 100000 miles of North American roads Ford said it plans to continue adding mapped areas to Active Drive Assist Available Active Drive Assist works with available Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with PHOTO COURTESY OF FORD MOTOR CO PHOTO COURTESY OF FORD MOTOR CO From a commercial fleet perspective the additions to the 2021 MY Ford Transit are the ergonomic enhancements in a nod to the burgeoning delivery market whose drivers enter the cargo area and exit the van hundreds of times a day The 2021 Transit model follows a major refresh in 2020 in which Ford added a Crew version a new standard engine standard active safety technologies and embedded modem to the Transit van family In all 2021 MY Transit van models up to 9500 lbs GVWR Ford replaced the manual parking brake on the floor with an electronic parking brake creating a 50 wider clear aisle between the front seats The overhead shelf is now optional for more clearance when standing An optional center console with right side shifter further improves walkthrough and offers more than 7 inches of additional driver legroom For fleets specializing in parcel delivery Ford is now offering the Parcel Delivery Package which adds 50 50 hinged rear doors with a wide 253 degree opening Full interior lighting facilitates early morning The additions to the 2021 MY Ford Transit are the ergonomic enhancements in a nod to the burgeoning delivery market whose drivers enter the cargo area and exit the van hundreds of times a day Ford expects to sell more than 100000 F 150 and Mustang Mach E vehicles equipped with the technology hardware in their first year 2021 Ford Transit Offers Versatility for Fleets WWW BUSINESSFLEET COM 4 BUSINESS FLEET November December 2020and late evening deliveries As well the armrests have been eliminated from both the driver and passenger seats to further improve cargo access For limousine fleets Ford added a Livery Package available for the XLT passenger van model The Livery Package includes 10 way power seats with upgraded leather on all seats power sliding side door HID headlamps full privacy glass and 16 inch silver wheels On the leisure side Ford added RV and Adventure Prep packages and updated the Motorhome Prep Package available for 2021 models The Transit cargo van can be configured with dual rear wheels and a maximum GVWR of 11000 pounds Stop and Go Lane Centering and Speed Sign Recognition The system allows the driver to operate the vehicle hands free while the driver is monitored by a driver facing camera to monitor the drivers attention to the road For F 150 Active Drive Assist will be available as a part of the Ford Co Pilot 360 Active 20 package for 1595 The Ford Co Pilot 360 Active 20 package is standard on F 150 Limited and available as an option on Lariat King Ranch and Platinum models For Mustang Mach E it will come standard on CA Route 1 Premium and First Edition variants or as an available package on the Select trim for 3200 as part of the larger Comfort and Technology package ROAD SIGNS