Ford wins 2024 International Van of the Year Award

December 14, 2023

Ford Pro’s new Transit Custom has been named the 2024 International Van of the Year.

Being named the best van in the world is nothing new for the Transit. In the International Van of the Year competition’s 23-year history, the Transit has won the most significant accolade in the world of vans a whopping five times!

The Transit is the world’s best-selling cargo van, and the Transit Custom was the best-selling vehicle in the UK for 2022, with the 42,762 units sold representing 36.3% of the one-tonne van segment and more than double the number of sales of its closest competitor. When combined with sales of its passenger carrying version, the Tourneo Custom, Ford holds an astonishing 39.8% share of the segment.

In the judging for the 2024 International Van of the Year, the jury – consisting of 24 members of leading commercial vehicle publications across Europe – gave top marks to the latest Ford Transit Custom ahead of the new Iveco eDaily and the Renault Trafic E-Tech, which completed the podium positions. The other finalists included the HYVIA Master E-Tech H2, Mercedes-Benz eCitan, and Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen, indicating the diversity and choice of drivetrains available today in the light commercial vehicle market.

“For the Ford Transit to win the International Van of the Year award for the fifth time is very impressive,” says Jarlath Sweeney, chairperson of the International Van of the Year. “Ford’s then-all-encompassing model won the award in 2001 and 2007. Soon after Ford launched the new generation, stand alone, one-tonne variant, the Transit Custom secured the title in 2013, following this up with another victory in 2020. For the Transit Custom to be named International Van of the Year again in 2024 is a significant achievement and congratulations must go to all involved,” he continues.

As a panel van, the Transit Custom offers load volumes from 5.8 to 6.8m³ for the standard roof height, with payload up to 1,350kg and a maximum load length of 3,450mm, using a smart load-through feature under the passenger seats. Double-cab-in-van and kombi body styles are also available, all with a choice of short or long wheelbase. Maximum braked trailer weight is 2,800kg and customers can specify an optional retractable towbar.

Hans Schep, general manager at Ford Pro, Europe, says the new generation Transit Custom’s ground-up new design, unmatched connected ecosystem, and innovative customer experiences will redefine productivity for customers in the new connected era.

“We are very proud that the International Van of the Year 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,” Schep enthuses. “Along with our award-winning diesel, customers will soon also have the choice of electric and
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (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.”