RAF CHOOSES LATEST FORD TRANSIT MINIBUS

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 14 April, 2010 – A new Transit 17-seat minibus has gone into operation to support RAF personnel and their families at the Odiham base, Farnborough, Hants.

Wing commander Justin Fowler, officer commanding base support wing, took delivery of the Transit minibus on behalf of the Service Institute Fund from local Transit dealer, Inchcape Ford Farnborough.

RAF Odiham deploys on active duty in the region of 200 personnel on a regular basis, out of a strength at the base of around 1,600. The pressures of operational life are felt more keenly at the base and so the RAF raised funds to buy the Transit minibus. Peter Johnson, of Inchcape Ford Farnborough, worked with them to determine the correct information regarding tachograph regulations and supported their fund-raising efforts through sponsorship from Inchcape Farnborough.

Wing commander Justin Fowler said: "Our gratitude goes to Inchcape Ford for making this possible and also to RAF Central Funds for a sizeable grant to assist the purchase."

Peter Johnson said: "Being in Farnborough, close to RAF Odiham and the Aldershot military base, we have contact with many service personnel. We were pleased to support the base in finding the right minibus to serve their community."

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Notes to Editors:
1. The Ford Transit minibus range starts with the nine-seat Shuttle Bus and includes 12-, 15- and 17-seat minibuses. All models are designed to carry occupants in a safe, spacious, well-equipped interior. The Transit provides a car-like ride and handling experience that is helpful to those who usually drive cars. Standard safety features on a Ford minibus include ABS, ESP, driver and passenger airbag on all models with additional latest generation seatbelts that suit both adults and children on
15- and 17-seat models. Isofix is also on 9- and 12- seat models.

2. Photo captions:

a) Peter Johnson (left), commercial manager, Inchcape Ford Farnborough, hands the Transit minibus keys to wing commander Justin Fowler.

b) RAF Chinook helicopter and new 17-seat Transit Minibus.

Contact: Anne - Marie Chatterton
Tel: 01277 253944
Email: achatter@ford.com