Filed under: Euro, Commercial Trucks, Ford
REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S.
Perhaps taking a note from DaimlerChrysler's playbook, Ford will reportedly be importing a version of the Ford Transit Connect commercial vehicle to be sold in the United States. DaimlerChrysler began selling the Sprinter commercial van in the U.S. around 2004, and has enjoyed success selling it to large corporations that need workhorse fleet vehicles with large, enclosed cargo spaces. The Turkish news website Sabah is reporting that the Transit Connect destined for our shores will be built in Turkey at Ford's Kocaeli facilities until production of the commercial van begins in the U.S. around 2009.
More info after jump.
Thanks for the tip, Igor!
[Source: Sabah]
The Transit Connect will likely carve its own niche in the commercial vehicle industry, as it's smaller and more maneuverable than the Sprinter, while also less costly. We imagine many small- to medium-sized businesses would consider a Transit Connect where a Dodge Sprinter wouldn't even make their lists due to its size and cost.
Also something to consider is the recent spate of panel versions of vehicles from both General Motors and DaimlerChrysler. The Chevy HHR Panel is going into production and will also likely find buyers in the small- and medium-business market. Dodge, meanwhile, showed a panel concept of the Nitro SUV at SEMA, which, while probably not meant for production, at least shows that DCX is thinking about such things.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
D Man 4:41PM (1/02/2007)
finally!!!!
Reply
George 4:45PM (1/02/2007)
Being the First one to reply on the other Ford Transit post, I might as well on this...
Its about time Ford started selling the Transit here as its seems to be a very cable commercial vehicle, just as the Sprinter has been, maybe we'll see UPS and Fedex going for it.. Heck lets replace the USPS fleet... :D
Reply
DriverG 4:57PM (1/02/2007)
Finally? You have really been waiting for this?
Reply
Bill 5:01PM (1/02/2007)
In the long term, I would imagine the USPS taking a good look at it. Right now they use a lot of cargo versions of DCX and Ford minivans.
Reply
Dictionary 5:08PM (1/02/2007)
sar·casm: A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
Reply
gord 5:27PM (1/02/2007)
I hope they dont americanize it when it comes here. I dont want to see a piece of S*** V8 engine in that thing. As a Sprinter driver for a hotel company, I tell you, I am very impressed by the power and efficiency of the Sprinter 2.7 diesel. The Transit has a 2.8 Diesel in Europe. I hope they bring that here. Our hotel has two vans, a GMC Savanna with 5.3V8 and the Sprinter. I tell you, the drivers go for the Sprinter first.
Reply
fordman 5:28PM (1/02/2007)
This is Awesome!! get rid of the inefficient and bulky Econoline. Here comes technology baby!!!
Reply
Jim in Tampa 5:37PM (1/02/2007)
ROFLMAO @ DriverG
Reply
Yaroukh 6:03PM (1/02/2007)
may be Ford is testing bringing effects of Euro to US
Reply
jgp 6:06PM (1/02/2007)
Just remember that this is the Transit Connect, not the full-size Transit. The Transit Connect isn't a Sprinter competitor; it's part of its own class of small vans. Specifically, the Transit Connect and its competitors are the cargo versions of what Europeans call Leisure Activity Vehicles.
Reply
mehugtree 6:18PM (1/02/2007)
sweet. small vans = good!
now if they'd just make it cool, like those lil Honda's" [internal] http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/01/get-outta-dodge-damd-goes-loco-boy/
Reply
Mirko 6:18PM (1/02/2007)
The Transit Connect is a Fiesta-based pocket-sized van thing, while the real Transit is an amazingly versatile offering: Front or rear wheel drive, lots of wheelbases and roof heights... you can have it all!
Both could do well.
what about the Volkswagen Caddy, while we're at it? The only panel van with a DSG...
http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/newcaddy/
Reply
Mike 7:24PM (1/02/2007)
Finaly the final nail in pick up coffin
Reply
justme 8:09PM (1/02/2007)
If they bring this van over, doesn't it make sense to also bring the subcompact (Fiesta?) that it is based on to spread the cost. Also, Ford is starved for a subcompact.
Reply
Greg A. 8:17PM (1/02/2007)
#15 Safety and emissions regulations tend to be more lenient for light trucks than for passenger cars. Maybe the Transit Connect meets the applicable regulations (or can easily be modified to do so) and the Fiesta does not.
Reply
Misaniovent 8:53PM (1/02/2007)
Wow, Ford is bringing a European product over.
Reply
tbanks 9:05PM (1/02/2007)
well..its a nice ford fusion...wagon...van..thing.. ok that may be a little extreme.. but then again these vehicles arent meant to be real lookers anyways
Reply
penguendedektif 9:09PM (1/02/2007)
First of all a correction: It's not built on fiesta platform. It has a purposely built platform of its own. It's pretty much bigger than a fiesta and it's not very small for U.S. standards. It's been around for more than 4 years and recently received a facelift operation. I drove one and it is a very easy-to-drive, confortable vehicle. Also it was 2003 European commercial vehicle of the year. I don't know anything about what kind of engines they will use on U.S. exports but its stronghold is duratorq diesel engines (uses eurodiesel). And about the safety and emission regulation issues, it's not mentioned in the reference news article but I've read in another Turkish newspaper that engineers in Kocaeli are currently working on readying the car for those regulations, so don't worry, there will be a turn-signal on the front bumper :)
Oh, and a little side-note: the producing factory (Kocaeli) was selected best Ford (Europe) vehicle factory for the last 4 years in a row.
Reply
the doobs 9:40PM (1/02/2007)
wait, you deleted my comment about how autoblog is because a panel van enthusiasts must read, i don't understand how thats inappropriate or inaccurate given the what the front page articles consist of today. jackasses, just keep ignoring every comment about anything made in american falling apart before its off the lot. here's hoping in the final hours of the day a third panel van story can appear on the front page.
Reply
Steve 11:04PM (1/02/2007)
I realize this is a different class of vehicle, but could this be Ford's way of sneaking back into the minivan arena in the US?
Reply