Ford has taken home the 2023 International Van of the Year (IVOTY) award for the Transit Custom while the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok have scored the International Pick-up Award (IPUA).
The awards were presented during a special ceremony at the Solutrans commercial vehicle show in Lyon, France.
A jury of 25 commercial vehicle journalists voted Ford Pro’s new-generation Transit Custom as the winner of IVOTY 2024. Ford Pro has now won the IVOTY and IPUA awards in the same year on three occasions – more than any other manufacturer – following double wins in 2013 and 2020.
Jarlath Sweeney, chair, International Van of the Year, said: “Well, it’s a ‘High Five’ for the Ford Transit on winning the International Van of the Year Award 2024. This is the fifth occasion that the Ford Transit has won IVOTY, first in 2001 and 2007 with the then all-encompassing model. Soon after its launch, the new generation standalone one-tonne variant – the Transit Custom – secured the title in 2013, and in 2020 and now for 2024. Congratulations to all involved for this significant achievement.”
The jointly developed Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok also picked up the IPUA title thanks to their off-road abilities, on-road performance and high level of connectivity and technology. The Ranger adds to the titles won in 2013 and 2020, while the Amarok was crowned in 2011 and 2017. The new models impressed the panel of judges during test drives around the Greek mainland in October.
Karl Bernqvist, Member of the Brand Management Board responsible for Procurement at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The Amarok is a pickup that delivers reliable performance, both on and off the road. It impressed the jury in both cases. The ‘International Pick-up Award’ for 2024 and 2025 means that Amarok has already achieved the ‘treble’ in just 14 years of production. This demonstration of trust honours the entire team at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. We would like to say thank you!”
Tim Slatter, vice president of Product Programs, Ford, added: “This is a pride point for our Ford teams across the globe who strive to deliver quality-driven products for our customers. We are delighted that the jury has recognised the strength of our newest commercial vehicles, built with the purpose of supporting customers’ business needs across all vocations.”
