Ford is introducing a new feature designed to make life easier for delivery drivers, trimming vital seconds off their daily routine and helping them focus on the job at hand. This bit of tech, called Delivery Assist, streamlines the process of stopping, securing the van, and getting back on the road.

If you’ve ever watched a delivery driver hop out of their van, you’ll know there’s a whole list of things to remember. Engine off, hazard lights on, doors locked – and that’s before they’ve even made it to the front door with a parcel. Ford’s solution takes care of those steps automatically, letting drivers crack on with deliveries without the constant mental checklist.

How Ford’s Delivery Assist works

Delivery Assist works by automating a handful of essential tasks when a driver pulls up to make a drop-off. As soon as the van stops, it can turn off the engine, close any open windows, lock the doors, and activate the hazard lights.

Once the package has been delivered, getting back on the road is just as simple. The driver can unlock the van with the key-free entry system, press the brake pedal to restart the engine and have the windows return to their previous position.

The system is also customisable, so drivers can tweak settings to suit their preferences, such as keeping a window cracked open or skipping the auto-lock feature.

It’s not just about convenience. Unattended vans can be easy targets for opportunistic thieves, and Delivery Assist adds a layer of protection by locking the doors the moment a driver steps away.

Ford Delivery Assist control screen

Ford’s human-centred design team is behind the feature, the same group that previously introduced practical innovations like the tilting steering wheel. They aim to remove as many minor distractions as possible so drivers can stay focused on the job and their surroundings.

“Delivery Assist makes the driver’s to-do list shorter, their journeys more comfortable, and can cut valuable seconds from each delivery stop to help them deliver more parcels, faster,” said Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro, Europe. “It’s good for both our customers and their customers — by taking away lots of tiny tasks we are helping to make a big difference.”

Ford Delivery Assist Availability

Ford’s Delivery Assist will be rolled out on E-Transit and EcoBlue diesel-powered Transit models fitted with an automatic transmission. It will also be available on the new E-Transit Custom and automatic Transit Custom vans. The first customer deliveries are expected in summer 2025.

Phil Huff
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