QVM Intro

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When your standards are high enough to demand the very best for your police fleet, don't settle for just any upfitter.

To be sure of getting a conversion that meets the demands of law enforcement service, look for a Ford Motor Company Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM).

The QVM program represents a collaborative effort between Ford and approved QVM builders to help continuously improve the quality of vehicle upfitting. The QVM program was originally developed for the ambulance and livery markets. The program has expanded due to the heavy modifications required for modern police vehicle upfitting.

There are many benefits to using a Ford QVM such as American Emergency Products for your vehicle conversion, including the peace of mind knowing that regardless of the work being done, full OEM Warranty is retained.

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What is a Ford QVM?

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Ford’s QVM program is an accreditation from Ford Motor Company to ensure that the design, manufacturing and quality controls of converted vehicles is strictly maintained.

A Ford QVM accredited vehicle modifier is a company that complies with Ford’s strict safety standards, processes and quality controls. The QVM is obligated to ensure that all vehicle modification comply with published Body Builder guidelines and a host of other requirements to ensure that safety of the vehicle, the driver and the passengers is not compromised in any way.

 

QVM Qualifications

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To qualify as a QVM, American Emergency Products has been successfully evaluated by Ford Motor Company on criteria such as engineering, the manufacturing process, quality control, and adherence to Ford Motor Company QVM guidelines.

 

Specifically, the QVM Program requires that American Emergency Products complies with the following:

• Compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

• Conformance with all Ford industry guidelines for vehicle conversions.

• Register with NHTSA as a final stage manufacturer

  • https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/mid/manufacturer/details/20629

• Annual Assessments of process and documentation for vocational QVM's

• A commitment to continuous improvement.

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QVM Customer Benefits

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Because the Ford Motor Company QVM Program assists American Emergency Products in developing a high-quality conversion process, you can feel confident that the finished product will meet your high expectations. Rest assured that your vehicles have been engineered and validated under the QVM program guidelines, coupled with AEP’s construction process and quality plan.

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1. Vehicle weight analysis

• 4-corner weight analysis pre and post installation

• Center of gravity height analysis

• Validation that gross vehicle weight rating has not been exceeded

• Validation that gross axle weight rating has not been exceeded

• Re-Calculated available carry load capacity after upfitting

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2. Construction process complies with Ford requirements

• Meets all Ford requirements as published in Body Builder and Police Modifier Guides

 

3. Labels

• Final Stage Manufacturer

• TREAD Act (FMVSS 110)

• Revised load carry capacity label (Available payload after upfitting)

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4. Build Documentation

• Installation requirements for aftermarket equipment including build documents and programming files.

• Traveler for each vehicle

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5. Process for critical characteristics and documentation

• Seat Belt attachment torques

• Lug nut torques

• Critical fasteners torques to Ford specifications

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6. Quality Assurance and Final Drive Audit Process

• Headlamp Aim

• Functional checks on installed equipment (both OEM and aftermarket)

• Written Quality Plan

• Warranty Tracking

• Root Cause Analysis of issues

• Incoming Quality

• Process Checkpoints / Inspections

• Drive Test

• Labels installed

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Learn more about the Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier program:

https://fordbbas.com/qvmProgram

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/specialty-vehicles/livery/qvm/

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