During a recent visit by Reuters, that screen showed real-time data from 114,000 vans in Britain so far covered by Ford's FORDLiive monthly subscription service.
The automaker has connected all of its UK dealers to its system, so it can arrange repairs and have parts ready for vans before they arrive at a dealership. Ford recently announced engineering job cuts in Europe, but is still hiring software experts for its data services. There is also an ongoing fight pitting insurers, leasing companies and car repair shops against carmakers in the European Union over access to connected car data and the vast potential revenue it could generate.
The UK operations of DHL Express, part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, has 270 electric Ford E Transit vans with firm orders for 120 more, and is signing up for FORDLiive. Ford rival General Motors Co has also rolled out telematics services including"in-vehicle coaching," where a voice nicknamed"Karen in the vehicle" coaches drivers against excessive braking, speeding or other bad habits.