Distance is everything to the world’s top Paralympic Shot putter and he swares by his new Ford Mustang Mach-E to get him about Britain quickly, cheaply and in the greenest way.
Ford Sporting Ambassador Aled Sion Davies OBE, from Bridgend, is on a sustainable road to the Paralympic Games in Paris next month with his Ford Mustang Mach-E.
He has collected his new all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E from his local dealership, Bridgend Ford, and uses it for a busy schedule of training all over Britain in his build up to the Paris games where he will defend his three previous gold medals in the shot put.
The reigning Paralympic, World, Commonwealth and European para shot put champion was proud to become a Ford GB ambassador – not least because the brand has played a huge part in Aled’s life.
Aled was born in Bridgend after his parents moved there from just outside Swansea when his father, Hugh got a job in the Ford Bridgend engine plant. An electrical and mechanical engineer by trade, Mr Davies worked at the Ford plant for forty years, working his way up from a line operator to foreman.
“I could see how much my father loved working at Ford and I wanted to be like him,” says Aled. “But my dad had bigger plans for me, so when I had a chance at work experience at Ford when I was sixteen he got me hot and cold testing in the plant to make sure that I didn’t want to come back! But if I’m honest, I loved it!”
Ruefully, he added, “My dad got his way and I ended up going into sport.”
Aled will complete at the Paralympic Games on 8 September, where he aims to win gold for the fourth time following victories in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 and achievements which also brought him an OBE.
Before leaving for Paris, Aled visited Bridgend Ford to be officially presented with the keys to his electric SUV by dealer principal & managing director Gary Pesticcio (above).
“Having grown up with Ford it’s incredible to have a Mustang Mach-E in my corner going into the Paralympic Games,” said Aled.
“I did have a little bit of anxiety moving from combustion engine to electric, but having used the Mach-E for a few weeks I have to say that all my worries were completely unjustified and the car has completely blown my socks off!
“I’ve never had to worry about range. I can easily drive from south Wales to Loughborough for Team GB training camp and back for training without a stop to charge. I have also found it extremely easy to recharge as the infrastructure is growing quickly.
“I drive to Caerphilly to lift weights at my local gym with my training partners and there have been a couple of charging points installed in the last few months and when I go to Cardiff Met, where I train at the National Athletics Centre, there are six charging points and another twelve being installed to deal with demand.”
He went on, “The Mach-E is comfortable and there is plenty of storage in both the front and the rear of the vehicle which, if you’re someone like me who has to carry a lot of kit around with them, is fantastic.
“The technology and safety features are amazing too, like the Blue Cruise self-driving function which is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It’s mindblowing!
“If there is anyone thinking about dipping their toes into the electric vehicle market then I can without hesitation recommend the Mach E. It is making my life a lot easier, and I feel that I’m on a sustainable road to Paris!”
Congratulating and sending off Aled with his Mustang Mach-E and best wishes from the team at Bridgend Ford, Gary said, “Aled is an inspiration to everyone who meets him and watches him competing.
“We have known him for many years and he is always a pleasure to talk to and has time for everyone despite his busy schedule. We all wish him the best and look forward to seeing him back in the dealership with his fourth gold medal.”
