Ford will introduce bespoke light commercial vehicle service and maintenance scheduling via its FordPass Connect app later this year as it strives to achieve “100% uptime” for fleet customers.

Hans Schep, Ford of Europe general manager of commercial vehicles, explained: “Our solution is usage-based maintenance. Rather than fixed intervals, the maintenance is tailored for each vehicle so it is only serviced when required to reduce breakdowns. The foundation of this service will be put in place this year.”

Sensors on key systems provide real-time data, so service attention is only given when required, and action is taken before problems become serious enough to cause a failure.

Fleets can check on the status of every individual vehicle via the app, and drivers can see live and predicted vehicle health data. Servicing and maintenance work that might normally be carried out in separate visits can be bundled together, minimising time off-road.

Vehicles will be monitoring by Ford. It will be able to book drivers into their nearest van centre for work when alerted about an issue through FordPass.

The app will be extended later this year with an offering targeting fleets with fewer than 25 vehicles.

Ford Pass Plus will enable companies to identify the location of up to five vehicles at any one time on a single map. It will provide them with the live updates about the health of the vehicle and issue alerts if any problems arise or services are due.