When expedited shipping is the norm, delivery businesses feel the pressure to perform. E-commerce and shipping giants often outsource this piece of the puzzle, entrusting companies like Pony Xpress, a linehaul and last-mile delivery provider based in central Ohio, to ensure packages arrive on time. Pony Xpress thrives in this high-stakes environment, delivering speed and reliability to meet ever-increasing consumer expectations.
Tony Ferrante, the founder and owner of Pony Xpress, understands the stakes. “People view shipping as free, and they expect packages delivered at breakneck speed,” Ferrante said. “Our job is to make that happen within the supply chain.”
Ferrante’s formula for success begins with reliable vehicles. Pony Xpress has grown 30% annually since its founding five years ago and shows no signs of slowing. Its 90-vehicle fleet travels about 4 million miles annually, providing last-mile, middle-mile, and linehaul services across Ohio. Around two-thirds of these vehicles are Fords, including Transit vans, F-650 and F-750 trucks, E-Series Cutaway vehicles, and step vans built on Ford F-59 chassis cabs.
“The [Ford] products have worked really well for us,” Ferrante said, citing reduced downtime as a key factor in his decision to stick with Ford. In a high-demand business, reliability isn’t optional—it’s the backbone of success.
All of Pony Xpress’ Ford vehicles are equipped with Ford Pro Telematics™ software, which Ferrante and his team use “religiously.” Since implementing the software in 2022, the company has leveraged its features to track maintenance needs, monitor vehicle performance, and locate vehicles in real-time. This proactive approach not only minimizes downtime but also ensures employee safety.
“We’ve had a couple of medical situations where we’ve had to locate drivers in their vans,” Ferrante said. “Having [Ford Pro Telematics] at our fingertips allows us to locate their exact coordinates to get there quickly and provide support.”
In the delivery business, downtime can be catastrophic. Pony Xpress operates without spare vehicles, making uptime critical. “My mandate is that we must have all the data possible; we need to get out in front of preventative maintenance, and we need to do it while our vehicles are sitting,” Ferrante said. “All vehicles must be on the road. These [Ford Pro] products help us do that.”
Ford Mobile Service has been instrumental in keeping Pony Xpress vehicles operational. Mobile Service units perform maintenance on-site, ensuring vehicles are ready to hit the road without disrupting their schedules. This flexibility is invaluable for a company where speed and efficiency are everything.
Pony Xpress’ relationship with Ricart Ford, a Ford Pro Elite Commercial Service Center, has been a cornerstone of its success. Ferrante recalls how, during the company’s early days, Ricart Ford recommended a Ford Pro FinSimple® Commercial Line of Credit—a resource he continues to use to expand and upgrade the fleet.
Elite Commercial Service Centers, like Ricart Ford, extend the capabilities of Ford’s 700-plus Commercial Vehicle Centers, offering extended hours, large service bays, and Mobile Service options. These resources enable fleets like Pony Xpress to lower total ownership costs and maximize productivity.
With Ford Pro tools and services, Pony Xpress delivers reliability and efficiency in an industry where every second counts. From dependable vehicles to data-driven fleet management, Pony Xpress has built a competitive edge that allows it to thrive in the fast-paced world of e-commerce logistics.
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