Awarding Ford the Van Manufacturer of the Year trophy, the expert judging panel, comprising fleet managers, industry experts from residual value guides and specialist fleet journalists, considered model range, cost, reliability, aftersales back-up and parts availability. 

It is the third time this year that Ford has won a top award as number one manufacturer: the Company is also the 2009 Fleet News Fleet Manufacturer of the Year and current Fleet World Van Manufacturer of the Year.

Collecting the award, Ford commercial vehicles director Steve Kimber said:  "Being named Van Manufacturer of the Year means so much to Ford, as the majority of our van business is fleet. It is rewarding to see the continual investment we make in our van range pay off like this and add more prestige to our standing in the fleet market."

That investment – much of it at Ford's Dunton technical centre in Essex, and at Dagenham where every Transit diesel engine is built – ensures that Ford vans continue to offer leading reliability and cost of ownership.

Safety and security are also always high on Ford's priority list, and both Transit and Transit Connect are the latest winners of What Van? annual security awards (Transit for the fifth successive year and Transit Connect for the seventh).

Launched in March this year, the new Fiesta van – City Van of the Year - has made a significant impact in the market. Frugal fuel economy of up to 67.3mpg, insurance groups of 1E and 2E and a choice of engines and trim levels make it a class-leading package.