BRENTWOOD, England – Ford has announced a commercial vehicle scrappage programme that will help its London-based customers to move from older vans into cleaner, greener commercial vehicles.

Under the scheme, owners of vans that are 10, or more, years old will qualify for up to £3,000 off a new Ford van. 

The offer is available on the Fiesta Van, Transit Connect and the Transit and follows an announcement by the Mayor of London that he is joining major vehicle manufacturers to deliver financial support for van and minibus drivers affected by the tighter standards that will be applied to the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) from January 3, 2012.  Owners of larger vans and minibuses from the Greater London area who do not meet the required emissions standards by this date, will have to pay a £100 daily charge or risk a £500 penalty.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "I am delighted that Ford is being so supportive with its commercial vehicle scrappage scheme, allowing Londoners to trade up their vehicles to new, cleaner models. It is particularly pleasing that vans running on engines made locally in the capital are part of this package. Ford's commitment as market leader is a fantastic contribution to my goal of a less polluted London with a great quality of life."

The LEZ initiative was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting vehicle drivers in the capital, to become cleaner.  When the LEZ standards become more stringent from January, an additional 72,000 larger vans and minibuses will have to meet the lower emissions requirements designed to tackle pollution in the capital.