More and more ambulance operators throughout the Middle East are turning to the Ford Transit \u2013 the region\u2019s fastest growing van brand \u2013 for its superior performance, class-leading load capacity and unrivaled vehicle flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on the renowned Ford Transit, the Transit ambulance continues to gain popularity and be adopted by emergency services throughout the region since its launch over the past two years. Three different examples of customised Transit ambulance conversions are on display at the 2019 Arab Health Exhibition this week in Dubai \u2013 all offering unique configurations for ambulance services in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ford\u2019s Transit lineup has established a solid reputation around the world thanks to its unmatched capabilities and flexibility, fuel economy and safety ratings across the range \u2013 all much-needed features for Transit customers who demand that reliability at all times. And Transit is no stranger to the Middle East\u2019s ambulance and emergency services organisations as demand for the van continues to grow in this particular segment, making Transit the leader in this specific category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Transit ambulance, developed by Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) as a project under the Dubai 10X initiative, was customised by American Emergency Vehicles in the US and fitted with the very latest patient care and safety equipment by Ferno-Washington, and telematics systems by Ferno-ACETECH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the technology fitted to the ambulance is some of the most advanced ever fitted to any emergency vehicle in the world, the entire unit takes its strength, ability and robust nature from its Transit underpinnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leigh O\u2019Brien, who leads development of the Transit 350 conversions for Ferno-Washington, explained: \u201cFrom a convertor\u2019s point of view, Ford makes our job a lot easier to configure and design. To stay competitive with other builders, the ability to predesign everything before you start building makes a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom an operator\u2019s standpoint, the Transit has a better payload and a powerful petrol engine which the competitors don\u2019t offer in this region. From an ambulance operator\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s got a lower floor which makes it easier to load and unload stretchers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eric Gallagher, CEO of Ferno-ACETECH Vehicle Intelligence, added: \u201cFord has been very proactive in this region, and globally in the whole emergency medical services sector. For us, it\u2019s all about the support we\u2019re getting from Ford, and it\u2019s been tremendous. We\u2019ve had some really great success in markets in the region with some significant orders from clients who have been driven by a concern for that level of support \u2013 and Ford absolutely came in and knocked it out of the park.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gallagher said that linking Ferno-Washington\u2019s learnings with data from Ford and providing feedback to customers would also help them to better manage their vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re able to provide feedback that shows how the vehicle performs, how it runs its engine hours, how it\u2019s being driven, and how long it spends in a garage as opposed to a competitor chassis \u2013 that\u2019s incredibly important for everyone involved right through the ranks, from operational, fleet and a safety perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next customised ambulance conversion, Profile Optimus, is showcased by Finnish-based modifier Profile Vehicles Oy, which was established 36 years ago and currently builds ambulances in Finland, Estonia and Hungary for customers around the world. Since its creation, the company has shipped around 8,000 emergency vehicles to clients in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Singapore, and Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company bases its Profile Optimus range of ambulances on the Transit 350 which offers choice of two roof heights and three body lengths. All vehicles are built to European standard (EN1789) for patient transport or as emergency ambulances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Narinder Singh, business development executive for Profile Vehicles Oy, said: \u201cWe have been working with Ford throughout the history of the company but recently we have found the Transit to be one of the most fitting chassis here for the Middle East market because of the powertrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe T-350 is really the optimal model for us to do our conversions. The high roof means we don\u2019t have to do any additional structural work on the van. It has a powerful engine which is something a lot of people here in the Gulf want. It is a fantastic vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third ambulance conversion on display \u2013 specifically for people of determination \u2013 was designed and engineered by Abu Dhabi-based firm Bristol, and also bases its EN 1789 ambulance on the Transit 350 van.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farid Ismail, business unit manager for Bristol Vehicles, says Ford\u2019s ambulance package \u2013 which includes dual heavy duty batteries, heavy duty alternator and a modified vehicle wiring system, helps his company to complete its conversions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt makes it easier for us in terms of electrical load and in terms of the air-conditioning. It even comes with the fixed glass on the sliding door, so it is not a cargo van that we then convert. It is meant for ambulance uses, so this helps us a lot when we do our conversion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Globally, Transit has enjoyed continued success with more and more businesses relying on Ford Transit to get the job done for over 50 years. From refrigerator van to ambulance, premium people-carrier to cargo mover, Transit offers both unparalleled versatility, and exceptional value for money, making it a firm favourite among businesses investing in the Ford brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFord has seen considerable increase in Transit van sales across the region, reflecting the confidence customers have in the Transit brand,\u201d said Mahendra Menon, Commercial Vehicles Operations Manager, Ford Middle East and Africa. \u201cIts unparalleled versatility is key to its popularity in the region, something highlighted by it being the vehicle of choice for so many fleet operators and SME businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
More and more ambulance operators throughout the Middle East are turning to the Ford Transit \u2013 the region\u2019s fastest growing van brand \u2013 for its superior performance, class-leading load capacity and unrivaled vehicle flexibility. Based on the renowned Ford Transit, the Transit ambulance continues to gain popularity and be adopted by emergency services throughout the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":9492,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_pr_autopilot_social_copy":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph_description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph_image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph_image_id":0,"_yoast_wpseo_twitter_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter_description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter_image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter_image_id":0,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":26,"_extra_hide_author_box":"","_extra_featured_post":"","_partner_post_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-automotive","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n