Autoblog

Would you like your Ford Transit in Large, XL or XXL?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Work, Ford

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 announced.

Using the Transit's European styling to its advantage, Ford is actually able to offer more build configurations including two wheelbases, three overall lengths and three roof heights. In base form, the Transit will ride on a 129.9-inch wheel base with an 83.2-inch tall roof, and the biggest version will add almost 20 inches to the wheelbase and almost 30 inches to the roof height. Customers will also be able to choose from folding or sliding side doors and side panels with or without side windows as well as chassis cab and cutaway models.

Under the hood, the Transit will replace the thirsty V8 and V10 engines from the E-Series with a trio of smaller engines aimed at improving fuel economy without sacrificing capability. The base engine is the 3.7-liter V6 that is able to run on E85, but Ford also designed it to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid propane gas (LPG). Optional engines includes the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and the 3.2-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel five-cylinder. All engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The big advantage the Transit will have is its interior. The high-roof version will be able to provide 80 percent more cargo volume than the E-Series, and for easier loading of cargo, the rear doors are able to swing open a full 270 degrees; all of the cargo versions have been for easy upfitting of shelves, racks or just about anything necessary to make it easier for companies to get the job done. The long-wheelbase passenger model can accommodate up to 15 passengers, and the Transit will be available with MyFord Touch and navigation displayed on a 6.5-inch touch screen.

Scroll down for the official press release for Ford's all-new van.

Continue reading Would you like your Ford Transit in Large, XL or XXL?

Would you like your Ford Transit in Large, XL or XXL? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uncle Sam's shopping list for government fleets

Zach Bowman — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Police/Emergency

Edmunds has taken a closer look at which vehicles are most heavily favored by the federal government by evaluating percentage of model sales in 2011. Not surprisingly the Chevrolet Caprice topped off the list with a whopping 79.2 percent of sales going to government agencies, while the out-to-pasture Ford Crown Victoria took second with 57.2 percent of total sales. But that's pretty much where the predictability comes to a close. The Chevrolet Express van takes a distant third with 10.7 percent. Like the Ram Dakota, which came in fifth at 9.2 percent, we imagine that has more to do with the number of civilian models sold each year rather than any great number of government service vehicles on the road.

Other notable models include the Ford E-Series in seventh place, the Ford Expedition in eighth and the Dodge Grand Caravan in ninth. Even the old Chevrolet Impala made the cut with 5.3 percent of its sales heading off to government duty. That's good enough to nab the machine 10th place. Head over to Edmunds to have a look at the full list.

Uncle Sam's shopping list for government fleets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Ford plans to phase out the best-selling E-Series

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Ford, Police/Emergency, Specialty

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 five years before it finally ceased production of its Crown Victoria taxi, Police Interceptor and Lincoln Town Car livery offerings in September. Now the company is set to do similarly with its E-Series van, which will eventually be replaced by Ford's Transit, the venerable European equivalent. Ford divulged a few more details about its commercial vehicle plans at a press event in Dearborn yesterday.

When the final Panthers rolled off the assembly line in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, Ford was left with no direct replacement. Instead, the company plans to sell the compact Transit Connect van in the taxi market, upgraded Tauruses and Explorers as police cars, and a "Town Car" version of the Lincoln MKT crossover to livery operators. All things being equal, these are significantly better products than their Panther-based predecessors, yet in a commercial market where "change" is a four-letter word, Ford has a lot of explaining to do.

Continue reading How Ford plans to phase out the best-selling E-Series

How Ford plans to phase out the best-selling E-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slide presentation confirms Ford E-Series being nixed in favor of Transit

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Ford

First the Panther platform and now E-Series vans? That might be the case, according to a presentation shown to investors at a Ford press event held alongside the Frankfurt Motor Show. The discussion centered on how Ford is reducing costs by producing global vehicles on singular platforms. This includes its commercial van lineup, and it sounds like the entire bulk of that business will soon be shouldered by the Ford Transit.

The presentation was led by Ford CFO Lewis Booth. He showed slides to the audience, and the E-Series van was noticeably absent from his discussion. Wards Auto reached out to Ford for an official comment, but the automaker declined to talk about the matter.

The Blue Oval's actions speak louder than words, however, because preparations are already underway for the next generation of Europe's favorite commercial van. In addition to an investment in its Turkey plant, Ford has also sent out a proposal to the United Auto Workers union that discusses a new product to be built at the automaker's Avon Lake, Ohio facility starting in 2014.

That's the facility that just happens to be the current home of E-Series production.

Vaya con dios E-Series, you've served this country proudly since 1961.

Slide presentation confirms Ford E-Series being nixed in favor of Transit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford E-Series celebrates 50 years with a special edition

Zach Bowman — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford

Ford celebrates 50 years of Econoline - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is celebrating the fact that its Econoline vans have been on the job for a full 50 years. The Blue Oval's plucky little work horses hit the scene in 1961 with a total of three different body styles. Originally drafted for commercial duty only, Ford quickly realized that families love vans as much as plumbers, and began churning out consumer-oriented, family-friendly versions, as well. Since then, the Econoline (known in recent years simply as the E-Series) has gone on to become the best-selling full-size van in the United States for 31 years straight. Not too shabby.

By way of marking the occasion, Ford has decided to roll out a special-edition E-Series. Packed to the gills with the XLT package, the van will come dipped in a unique metallic blue paint and will wear seats embroidered with a new "Econoline 50 Years" logo. So far, there's no word on how much that kind of kit will set you back, though we can't imagine it being too much more than the $33,455 Ford asks for the E-150 XLT Premium. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Ford Celebrates 50 Years of Econoline

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford E-Series celebrates 50 years with a special edition

Ford E-Series celebrates 50 years with a special edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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