Ford is proudly reporting that National Grid is the latest blue chip British company attracted by the low operating costs of its Fiesta and has taken delivery of 80 Ford Fiesta Edge ECOnetic models.

The Fiestas, which boast a combined fuel economy of 78.5mpg and 95g/km of CO2, will be the company cars for this year's recruits to the National Grid's engineering training programmes which combine academic study with on- and off-the-job instruction.

National Grid put its fleet requirement out to competitive tender with key criteria of value for money, low fuel consumption and emissions. "Our 'user-chooser' company car scheme was not appropriate for such a large number of new, young engineers," said fleet operations manager David Morse (on right of picture), "Ford was successful in the tender process and the Fiesta ECOnetic fitted the bill perfectly."

The new Ford Fiestas have been supplied through Ford dealer GK Group of Chesterfield, and National Grid's fleet management company Inchcape. The trainees will use them to travel between university and college and the National Grid training centre at Eakring, near Newark in Nottinghamshire, as well as to various sites around the country to undertake managed field experience. All the cars are equipped with optional Quickclear front windscreens and have Bluetooth connectivity.

Stephen Gafson, Ford direct sales business manager (on left of picture), said: "This was a very competitive tender and one which Ford is delighted to have won. The Fiesta Edge ECOnetic is a perfect choice for the job."