Van insurance customers sat up and took notice this week as winners were announced in the 2009 Fleet World Honours.
Those with van insurance cover for a Ford will undoubtedly be proud, as Ford won the prestigious award for Van Manufacturer of the Year. John Kendall, editor of Van Fleet World, commented, "The arrival of new competition at all levels in the market has undoubtedly put the pressure on the UK light CV market leader.
"That's of course ignoring the pressure that all manufacturers are under at the moment. Even in these conditions, Ford is maintaining a sizeable lead in the market to date this year.
"That will no doubt be helped by the recent arrival of the latest Ford Fiesta van and the revised Transit Connect."
Kendall also praised Ford's response to the need for more eco-friendly commercial vehicles, saying, "As manufacturers are looking at all the ways possible to cut emissions and reduce fuel consumption for cars, Ford will be the first to apply the same thinking to its van range in the next few months. There will be ECOnetic versions of the new Fiesta van and Transit in the autumn.
Additionally, Ford also won the Best Small Van gong for its Transit Connect vehicle.
Renault was another big winner at the Fleet World awards, with its Traffic, a popular choice among van insurance policyholders, winning Best Medium Van and its Megane winning the coveted Safety Award with a record high score.