ATLANTA — At the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show here, Ford unveiled its makeover for the E-series, an important sales leader for the automaker and the top-selling full-size van in the U.S. for the past 29 years.
The workhorse commercial vehicle gets some very white-collar improvements for 2009 with the rollout of the new Ford Work Solutions technology. The systems making their debuts on the E-Series include an in-dash computer — developed with help from Magneti Marelli and Microsoft Auto — that offers high-speed Internet access and includes wireless mouse and printer. There's also an "asset tracking system" called Tool Link, developed with power-tool company DeWalt. It uses radio frequency identification technology to let users keep real-time inventory of the equipment they carry around in the vehicle.
An in-dash navigation system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a fleet telematics and diagnostics system called Crew Chief, and a Cable Lock security system designed with Master Lock help to complete the high-tech profile of the 2009 E-Series.
The instrument panel — not surprisingly, given all the new equipment — has been redesigned, and there are other small but significant interior refinements and improvements.
The new E-Series lineup will go on sale in August. The Work Solutions technologies will also go into the 2009 F-150 and F-Series Super Duty truck lineups this fall.
What this means to you: The dirt-and-oil-stained coffee-ringed clipboard on the dash could be a thing of the past for the commercial-vehicle user. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
The workhorse commercial vehicle gets some very white-collar improvements for 2009 with the rollout of the new Ford Work Solutions technology. The systems making their debuts on the E-Series include an in-dash computer — developed with help from Magneti Marelli and Microsoft Auto — that offers high-speed Internet access and includes wireless mouse and printer. There's also an "asset tracking system" called Tool Link, developed with power-tool company DeWalt. It uses radio frequency identification technology to let users keep real-time inventory of the equipment they carry around in the vehicle.
An in-dash navigation system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a fleet telematics and diagnostics system called Crew Chief, and a Cable Lock security system designed with Master Lock help to complete the high-tech profile of the 2009 E-Series.
The instrument panel — not surprisingly, given all the new equipment — has been redesigned, and there are other small but significant interior refinements and improvements.
The new E-Series lineup will go on sale in August. The Work Solutions technologies will also go into the 2009 F-150 and F-Series Super Duty truck lineups this fall.
What this means to you: The dirt-and-oil-stained coffee-ringed clipboard on the dash could be a thing of the past for the commercial-vehicle user. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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