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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
D Man @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:41PM
finally!!!!
George @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:45PM
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
DriverG @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:57PM
Finally? You have really been waiting for this?
Bill @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:01PM
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.
Dictionary @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:08PM
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.
gord @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:27PM
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.
fordman @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:28PM
This is Awesome!! get rid of the inefficient and bulky Econoline. Here comes technology baby!!!
Jim in Tampa @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:37PM
ROFLMAO @ DriverG
Yaroukh @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:03PM
may be Ford is testing bringing effects of Euro to US
jgp @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:06PM
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.
mehugtree @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:18PM
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/
Mirko @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:18PM
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/
Mike @ Jan 2nd 2007 7:24PM
Finaly the final nail in pick up coffin
justme @ Jan 2nd 2007 8:09PM
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.
Greg A. @ Jan 2nd 2007 8:17PM
#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.
Misaniovent @ Jan 2nd 2007 8:53PM
Wow, Ford is bringing a European product over.
tbanks @ Jan 2nd 2007 9:05PM
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
penguendedektif @ Jan 2nd 2007 9:09PM
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.
the doobs @ Jan 2nd 2007 9:40PM
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.
Steve @ Jan 2nd 2007 11:04PM
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?