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Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video]

In testing the durability of its upcoming fullsize Transit vans, Ford has begun using autonomous robotic technology to pilot vehicles through the punishing courses of its Michigan Proving Grounds test facility. The autonomous tech allows Ford to run more durability tests in a single day than it could with human drivers, as well as create even more challenging tests that wouldn't be safe to run with a human behind the wheel. The technology being used was developed by Utah-based Autonomous Solutions, and isn't quite like the totally autonomous vehicles being developed by companies like ... Read More

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video]
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    In testing the durability of its upcoming fullsize Transit vans, Ford has begun using autonomous robotic technology to pilot vehicles through the punishing courses of its Michigan Proving Grounds test facility. The autonomous tech allows Ford to run more durability tests in a single day than it could with human drivers, as well as create even more ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford to add more than 2,000 jobs in Kansas City
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    Continued high demand for the Ford F-150, along with the addition of the all-new Transit series of commercial vehicles, has led Ford to announce that it will add over 2,000 jobs at its Kansas City Assembly Plant. At the time of the announcement, the plant boasts 2,450 hourly employees working on two shifts. All told, Ford will invest $1.1 billion in the ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Transit Courier completes Ford's new commercial van line, will we get it?
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    This week Ford rolled out the 2014 Transit Courier, the fourth addition to its Transit range. Ford says its the first time for the nameplate in the compact van segment. "Ford has now completely transformed its commercial vehicle line-up, with four all-new, class-leading Transits for European customers," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of product ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: 2014 Ford Transit unveiled in Chassis Cab and Cutaway versions
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    As a leader in commercial vehicles here in the US, we knew Ford wouldn't take too long to show off the chassis cab and cutaway versions of its 2014 Ford Transit van. Set to go on sale this fall, Ford already revealed the full-body version of the Transit, and now it has pulled the cover off exposed-frame models just in time to to compete against the ...

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    Ford Transit
    Ford will start familiar-sounding Ford2go carsharing service in Germany
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    With more than a half-million words in the English language and 10 digits to choose from, Ford had ample opportunity to not name its new European carsharing service pretty much the same as a competing service operated by Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler. Alas, opportunity squandered. Sometime before June, Ford of Europe will debut its Ford2go car-sharing ...

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    Ford Transit
    Has "peak car" already happened? Are automakers becoming mobility companies?
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    The mood at the 2013 North American International Auto Show has been more than upbeat for automakers. Lots of new models and concept cars have been unveiled and automakers think it will be a good year for a solid sales increase. Quartz writer Tim Fernholz looked at it from another angle, raising some big questions. What if this post-economic crisis ...

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    Ford Transit
    Autoblog Podcast #313 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern!
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    We're almost ready to record Episode #313 of the Autoblog Podcast. Check out the topics below, add your own to the Q&A and join us live via UStream, as well. Keep reading for our embedded UStream player, and thanks for listening! Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #313 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra introduced Ford shows ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford shows off commercial version of new Transit Connect
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    We recently showed you the updated Ford Transit Connect Wagon in all its refreshed glory. Well here is the new 2014 Transit Connect (note the lack of "Wagon" in name, for its commercially minded purpose), and it's the small Ford van of choice for your tougher jobs. Ford says this van is ideally suited for small businesses and fleets looking to prioritize ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Would you like your Ford Transit in Large, XL or XXL?
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    Get ready plumbers, ambulance drivers and airport shuttles; the 2014 Ford Transit is finally here... almost. Ahead of the truck going on sale next fall, Ford dropped most of the details for its new fullsize van, but, as is the case with any vehicle unveiled so far ahead of its release date, pricing, engine power and fuel economy figures were not ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford confirms 3.2L diesel five-cylinder for US-spec 2014 Transit
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    To ensure that its new 2014 Ford Transit will be able to get the job done when it goes on sale in the US next year, Ford announced that its new work van will be offered with a diesel engine that balances power and fuel economy. The Transit is already on sale with the diesel in other markets, but Ford confirmed that the 3.2-liter I5 Power Stroke will mark ...

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    Ford Transit
    Report: Ford Europe goes further with American vehicles
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    Just weeks before the Paris Motor Show, Ford Motor Co. has taken the wraps off of much of its new lineup for Europe in an effort to shore up its efforts for European dealers. The webcast press conference from Amsterdam ended with the official announcement that the Dearborn, Michigan-based car maker will officially make the Mustang available for Autobahn ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: 2014 Ford Transit offers big utility with EcoBoost and diesel power
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    The redesigned 2014 Transit Connect isn't the only commercial van news coming out of Ford today. For heavy-duty haulers, the automaker has officially pulled back the cover on its larger Transit van, which will eventually replace the older-than-dirt E-Series here in the United States. In both North America and Europe, Ford will offer the new Transit in a ...

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    Ford Transit
    Spy Shots: First look at U.S.-spec Ford Transit snapped
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    Most of the time our spy shots reveal the sexy new lines of the latest sports car or some subtle curves that hint at the new direction for a midsize sedan. Today things are a little different. Boxier, more van-like. Yet the forthcoming 2013 Ford Transit our spy shooters captured roaming the streets of Detroit is unlike any cargo van Americans have ever ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford introduces cargo van version of Transit Custom
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    European buyers now know what to expect from the Ford Transit Custom cargo van. The work version of the van bowed at the Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show this week with the new exterior and more refined cabin that first appeared on the Ford Tourneo Custom passenger van. Buyers outside of North America will be able to choose between a short wheelbase ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Diesel returning to full-size Ford vans
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    The new Ford Transit cargo van promises improved fuel economy compared to the outgoing E-Series, in part because it will be powered by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. But that's not the only mill that will be powering the Transit. Ford announced that the fresh take on cargo vans will also boast a diesel powerplant option when it makes it to production in ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford Transit van will be offered with EcoBoost V6
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    We love ourselves some Ford Transit Connect. The funky-looking little vanlet is so endearingly functional that we're happy to forgive its lackluster drivetrain and questionable interior. Now it appears that Ford aims to address at least one of these ails with its big brother, the upcoming larger Transit Van. Ford has announced that buyers of the van that ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford Tourneo Custom Concept previews new European people mover
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    Let's clear the air. This is not – we repeat, not – the Ford E-Series-replacing Transit that will be built and sold in the United States next year. According to our contacts at Ford, this Tourneo Custom Concept previews what the next generation of front-wheel-drive, passenger-friendly Transits will look like when they go on sale in Europe and ...

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    Ford Transit
    How Ford plans to phase out the best-selling E-Series
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    In a commercial market where "change" is a four-letter word, Ford has a lot of explaining to do. It is not often that an automaker decides to dump a best-selling vehicle line, one that's dominated its segment for decades. But Ford's commercial vehicle team is doing it not once, but twice. Ford had been phasing out its Panther platform for a good ...

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    Ford Transit
    Official: Ford confirms $1.1B investment to build Transit van in Kansas City
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    Ford has confirmed that its Transit van will be manufactured in Kansas City. The company plans to invest $1.1 billion in facility upgrades and tooling to produce both the next-generation F-150 and the Transit in preparation for the van's arrival on U.S. soil in 2013. That investment is $700 million more than Ford had previously allocated for its Kansas ...

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    Ford Transit
    Report: Ford Transit van coming to America as Kansas City-built T-Series
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    When Daimler started selling its Sprinter van in North America – first as a Freightliner, then as a Mercedes-Benz and even a Dodge – it found companies on this side of the Atlantic were as keen to get their hands on a European-style van as, well, European companies are. But the Sprinter is about to get some European competition from... an ...

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