Just as Ford's F150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, their E-Series (née Econoline) vans have also been sales champs since before the dawn of the 1980s. A strong presence in the trades delivers forty percent of the full-size van market to the E-Series. Ford's adding some new features and an upgraded interior to the E-Series for 2009 to help it continue to earn its keep. The full-sizers got an exterior nip and tuck last year, so the biggest body changes this year are rear doors that open wider.
Ford's Work Solutions system is a natural addition, and it makes just as much sense in the work van as it does in a pickup. The biggest news is a revised instrument panel with -- bar the door -- four auxiliary switches. Actually, not having a mish-mash of toggles and rockers drilled through the dash face for aftermarket gear is a nice touch. The panel itself has an uncluttered, no-nonsense layout, though the vents look like they could chew off errant fingers. Also on the new dash is a navigation system, which should lessen the "I'm lost, so I'm going to lunch" calls from contractors. American cargo vans are unsung utilitarian heroes, and Ford doesn't want its class leadership to slip away. Press release after the jump
[Source: Ford]
2009 Ford e-series: Interior updgrades, more 'smart' features for america's best-selling full-size van
- Ford's class-leading E-Series full-size van delivers even more functionality for 2009, thanks to class-leading convenience features including integrated navigation system and SIRIUS Travel Link™, plus a redesigned instrument panel that includes four new upfitter switches.
- Ford Work Solutions, a collection of affordable 'smart' technologies – including four industry-first features – will provide E-Series customers connectivity, flexibility and security to better run key aspects of their business – from their van, cutaway or wagon, even on the job site.
- Ford is the commercial vehicle leader in the U.S. with 40 percent share of the total commercial vehicle market and has been the full-size van leader with the Ford E-Series for 29 years running. Manufactured at Ford's Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio, 2009 Ford E-Series will be available in August.
ATLANTA, Feb. 26, 2008 – Ford E-Series – America's top selling full-size van for 29 years running – delivers an improved interior for 2009, along with new tools designed to help customers manage their fleets more efficiently, track and secure tools and better serve customers.
E-Series updates include a redesigned instrument panel and console, door trim panels with more storage, built-in auxiliary switches users can customize, wider-opening rear doors, more comfortable seats, a first-in-class factory-installed navigation system and Ford Work Solutions
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Richard S. @ Feb 26th 2008 12:24AM
One word: Ugly. I know it is a utilitarian, but why does it have to be ugly? The older versions had a nicer, modern looking front. Here they are trying to bolt a tough-looking front, borrowed from the F-150.
The Dodge/Freightliner Sprint has a better, proportional look for its front.
PJ @ Feb 26th 2008 9:43AM
I think (part of) the (sort of) thinking behind the restyled front clip was that the new light assembly sits lower on the fascia, placing the low-beams down at car height.
I appreciate this greatly. The lower your car is (I drive a Miata), the more obnoxious large pickups and SUVs are; at night, their low-beams look like airport spotlights in your rearview mirror.
C.W. @ Feb 27th 2008 5:20PM
i forwarded this "blog" article to my father in law who owns a construction company. he also employs a fleet of Eseries vans, 2 Dodge Ram vans, a 350 Superduty, and even a silverado. he read your comment Richard S. and his only comment was "Richard S. must be a chick". the point is, people in the trades WANT an aggressive, bold, strong looking vehicle, not to mention best in class cargo capacity, towing, security features, only commercial vehicle to offer factory installed trailer brake controls, etc. not only is this van series superior as a workhorse, but as far as the commercial industry is concerned, it is also the baddest looking vehicle on the road.
now have fun being a chick. and driving your honda civic.
Richard S. @ Feb 27th 2008 7:52PM
First of all, I drive a Nissan 350Z. Second, I hope your father-in-law is not responsible for the interior design or finishing details: Looking tough does not mean having to look butt-ugly. Case in point was the first updated full-size Dodge Ram pick-up. It had the look of a big rig, but done in
good proportions, thus giving a nice look overall. The proportions of the new fascia of the E-series does not correspond to the overall design of the van. the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter accomplishes that, while still looking purposeful and utilitarian.
Larry @ Feb 26th 2008 12:31AM
Give me a GM G-Van any day. No First On Recall Day vans for me thank you… Expecially one of those Ecoline's with a diesel. eek....
geo.stewart @ Feb 26th 2008 8:02AM
One of the companies I worked for had a fleet of these that you could not kill, no matter how hard our guys abused them.
They are best in class for a reason.
As far as looks, they are drawing on the heavy duty F-series for a familial look. I dont think there is a 'good' way to present these things from a design perspective. They are tall and butch to give a shorter front end.
as mentioned, strictly utilitarian
drifter28 @ Feb 26th 2008 12:32AM
No wonder Ford has improved much On E-series cause F150 is the best-selling car either the car or the Ford car parts. But now i think E-series is getting better compare to old models.
refugee7 @ Feb 26th 2008 12:37AM
I like FoMoCo a lot but wow, that van is getting ugly. Looks like the entire front end is just... photoshopped on, out of place.
Daniel Cowan @ Feb 26th 2008 12:37AM
The Navigation system should help. What I could know is if the navigation system will be available on the wagons? Backup cameras also provide a plus, because those things are monsters (not to mention tanks) to park. People need to make sure that they don't rely on it too much, or some 1% occasion may absolutely happen.
fm @ Feb 26th 2008 12:46AM
WOW Alright. Who's the funny man who straped the radiator to the front of the van? It's not funny!
Red Star @ Feb 26th 2008 12:57AM
It doesn't look as good as previous generation (or especially Econoline from 1980s), but it still looks better than those ugly vans from GM.
Dave @ Feb 26th 2008 1:46PM
Ford has never had a better looking van than a Chevy except maybe in the mid-1960's. For longevity I would also take a GM van
Mike T @ Feb 26th 2008 6:19PM
Dave,
My father's company has an equal mix of Ford and GM vans, the Fords are much, much more reliable and durable. The GM junk needs new front ends (tie rods, wheel bearings, brakes) just about every 25k like they are maintainance items (ok, so the brakes are maintainance), the motors and trannies are ok, but the Ford ones are just as good.
Until now, the only reason he even buys the GM vans was because the doors opened wider- sounds like Ford has finally figured that one out. He'll be happy to know that since he is looking to replace two of the GM vans (which are newer than the older Ford ones he has, but closer to the grave).
Oh, by the way, anyone who even mentions Sprinter vans needs to look at the price tag, you can almost get two Ford vans for the price of a Sprinter.
Landy @ Feb 26th 2008 1:09AM
The design guys from Ford-US are funny people:
Take a van from the seventies - smash a large chrome grille into the front end - job done - get your bonus...
Live is so easy sometimes!
:-)
FThorn @ Feb 26th 2008 7:14AM
You guys pay attention. As future DOORMEN, you'll have to know how to open those doors for your customers.
That One Person @ Feb 26th 2008 6:14PM
The E-Series isn't from the 70s. You are thinking of the now defunct Dodge Ram van. The E-Series was redesigned back in 92.
These things actually look a lot better in person.
And while people may argue that the Sprinter is better, ever look at the price of a Sprinter? Not cheap. Plus, replacement parts and whatnot are easy to find for these things. Plus, if you are a contractor or a plumber or whatever and want to upgrade, you can easily move your equipment from your old E-Series to the new one.
jon igielnik @ Feb 26th 2008 1:14AM
WOW!!! this thing just gets better and better... oh... wait, im confusing better with exactly the same
Tragedy @ Feb 26th 2008 1:23AM
New face, 30-year-old chassis. That's Ford for ya.
Robert @ Feb 26th 2008 1:53AM
The chassis was overhauled for 2008 and has had signficant chassis changes in the 80s and 90s and even one earlier this decade. While the fundamental platform has not been completely overhauled, the E-series has had improvements several times, including many updates found on the Super Duty last year. But ultimately, what do you need in a cargo van? A strong and reliable platform capable of hauling around a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs+, something this van does extremely well.
The other side to this, and the reason the interior was delayed, is that Ford vans and E-series chassis-cabs are modified by dozens of companies after leaving the factory. Each company has built their tooling for a certain E-series design. Ford can't just up and change everything about their vans whenever they want. The reason they have the market is that they work very closely with many of the top businesses in the conversion space.
Larry @ Feb 26th 2008 1:25AM
The best way to describe it, is basically like an old whore with new lipstick.