Autoblog

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

John Neff — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Safety, Technology, Work, Ford

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 Google and Audi for use out in the real world. Rather, Ford's autonomous test vehicles follow a pre-programmed course and their position is tracked via GPS and cameras that are being monitored from a central control room. Though the route is predetermined, the robotic control module operates the steering, acceleration and braking to keep the vehicle on course as it drives over broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversize speed bumps.

Scroll down to watch the robotic drivers in action, though be warned that you're headed for disappointment if you expect to see a Centurion behind the wheel (nerd alert!). The setup looks more like a Mythbusters experiment than a scene from Battlestar Galactica.

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Ford to add more than 2,000 jobs in Kansas City

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Ford, Earnings/Financials

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 Kansas City plant to expand truck production and begin producing the Transit series.

According to the automaker, fullsize truck sales are up 19 percent through April of 2013, leading to an additional 900 workers and a third shift of production for the F-150. Production of the Transit series will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, requiring an additional 1,100 workers. In addition, Ford estimates that a total of 18,000 jobs will be created by suppliers to its Kansas City plant to support the additional vehicle production.

Want to know more? Scroll down for the complete press release.

Continue reading Ford to add more than 2,000 jobs in Kansas City

Ford to add more than 2,000 jobs in Kansas City originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transit Courier completes Ford's new commercial van line, will we get it?

Chris Tutor — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, Ford, Specialty, Diesel

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 development for Ford Europe. "With the all-new Transit range, we expect sales to grow to 400,000 units per year by 2016, well over 50 percent more than we sell today."

When the Courier goes on sale in the Spring of 2014, it will offer more than 1,400 pounds of payload capacity, multiple mounting points for racks or other framework and a rear cargo area that can carry items 5.3 feet-long. An optional folding passenger seat boosts the cargo length to 8.5 feet.

"With 10 percent more load volume and floor area than its closest competitors, the all-new Transit Courier brings a new level of productivity to the compact van segment," Samardzich said in the press release.

Three engines will be available in the Courier with start-stop optional with all of them. First there is the choice between the two Duratorq TDCi diesel choices: a 1.5-liter, 74-horsepower and a 1.6-liter, 93-horsepower. A step up from that would be the 1.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine with 98 horses.

Pricing on the 2014 Transit Courier hasn't been announced yet and Mike Levine, Ford's truck communications manager, tells us, "There are no plans to bring Transit Courier to the US."

Read the official press release below.

Continue reading Transit Courier completes Ford's new commercial van line, will we get it?

Transit Courier completes Ford's new commercial van line, will we get it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #313 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern!

Dan Roth — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

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

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #313 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern!

Autoblog Podcast #313 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford introduces cargo van version of Transit Custom

Zach Bowman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:59:00 EST

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

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 version with a total length of 16.3 feet or a long wheelbase configuration that spans 17.5 feet from stem to stern. Indoors, the van can deliver up to 212 cubic feet of cargo area, or three european pallets stacked three-feet high. In addition, the floor offers enough space between the wheel wells to accommodate a 4x8 sheet of material.

The Transit Custom isn't headed to the North American market, though, which begs the question: Why do we care? Ford is set to replace the aging E-Series with a different Transit van that's specific to our continent, though that vehicle will be based on the global Transit Custom we see here. According to Ford, our van will yield 25-percent better fuel economy than the current E-Series thanks to either the same Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6 currently found in the nose of the F-150 or a diesel powerplant. The North American Transit is also supposed to weigh in 300 pounds less than its predecessor.

Continue reading Ford introduces cargo van version of Transit Custom

Ford introduces cargo van version of Transit Custom originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Tourneo Custom Concept previews new European people mover

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Ford

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 other world markets. The North American-spec van will be based off of the heavy-duty, rear-wheel-drive Transit that's set to debut later this year.

So, let's talk Tourneo. This eight-passenger van is essentially Ford's answer to vehicles like the Renault Trafic or Volkswagen Caravelle - more butch than a minivan, with a higher ride height and more interior space. Ford says that the Tourneo Concept boasts a rich, comfortable, leather-trimmed interior with seats that can be rearranged into a number of different configurations.

Ford has only released this one image as of now, but it's clear that the automaker's Kinetic design has found a home on even its largest vehicles. Up front is the Blue Oval's signature trapezoidal grille, and strong profile lines on the sides swoop upward toward the rear in an effort to make this barn-on-wheels look as fluid and sleek as possible. Under the hood, a range of 2.2-liter turbo-diesel powertrains are available, in 98-, 123- and 153-horsepower variants, all of which are mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

We'll see the Tourneo in person in just a few weeks at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. As for the U.S.-spec Transit, it'll be a while before that officially breaks cover. Hit the jump for all of the juicy Tourneo Concept details in Ford's press release.

Continue reading Ford Tourneo Custom Concept previews new European people mover

Ford Tourneo Custom Concept previews new European people mover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:01:00 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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Ford confirms $1.1B investment to build Transit van in Kansas City

Zach Bowman — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Ford

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 City facility. Ford says the extra cash will go toward new paint and body shops in addition to an integrated stamping plant. The upgrades will also allow Ford to increase F-150 pickup production with the addition of a second manufacturing shift.

Previously, we had heard word that Ford would embrace the T-Series naming convention for the Transit, with models breaking down into trim levels similar to what's seen on the current F-Series, though the press release after the jump specifically refers to the new van as the Transit. Does that mean Ford will rely on a new system of trim designation for the van? It's hard to say, but either way, it certainly sounds like the days of the E-Series/Econoline range are numbered. Hit the jump to see the full press release for yourself.

Continue reading Ford confirms $1.1B investment to build Transit van in Kansas City

Ford confirms $1.1B investment to build Transit van in Kansas City originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit van coming to America as Kansas City-built T-Series

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Ford, UAW/Unions

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 American automaker.

That Ford makes certain products for overseas markets is nothing new, but as part of its drive to standardize its lineup around the world, the Blue Oval automaker is apparently planning on bringing its full-size Transit van Stateside.

Not only is it bringing the Transit to the American market, but it will also be building it here, too. The news is confirmed by a recent United Auto Workers announcement that reveals that, with production of the next-generation Escape moving to Louisville, Kentucky, the Transit will be assembled for local consumption alongside the F-150 pickup truck at the Kansas City plant.

According to Car and Driver sources, in order to avoid confusion with the smaller Transit Connect, the big van will be badged as a T-Series in this market, with nameplates like T-250, T-450 and T-550 - similar to the F-Series trucks, and more pertinently, the E-Series vans that used to be known as the Econoline. They can call it whatever they want; we just hope we get a version of the UK-market limited-edition SportVan pictured above.

Ford Transit van coming to America as Kansas City-built T-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford unleashes latest Transit SportVan on Britain

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Performance, Work, Ford, UK

Ford has been in the UK for a full century now, but for fans of its workhorse Transit van, the past four years have been the most exciting. That's because, since 2007, the Blue Oval automaker has released successive special edition SportVans that give the big wagon an added dose of attitude.

Each version has been distinguished by its color combination, and all have sold out: blue with white stripes (500 examples), grey with silver stripes (80), black with silver (500), white with blue (80), dark blue with silver (150) and, most recently, red with white stripes. Now Ford has released the latest edition in Moondust Silver with graphite stripes.

Aside from the paint scheme, the Transit SportVan also gets graphite alloys to match the stripes, dual exhaust and an aero kit. Based on the short-wheelbase 260 model, the SportVan packs a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel with 140 metric horsepower channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed manual. The cabin also packs all the bells and whistles, but only 180 examples will be offered, and you can bet they'll all sell out faster than a Transit can haul its cargo through London's busy streets. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford unleashes latest Transit SportVan on Britain

Ford unleashes latest Transit SportVan on Britain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:57:00 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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V8 Ford Transit connects with the fine art of drifting

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Minivan/Van, Etc., Videos, Ford

Drift vehicles come in all shapes, from the ever-popular Nissan 240SX all the way up to Mike Ryan's Freightliner. Somewhere on that vast scale of driftables sits this V8-powered Ford Transit van, which can roast tires with extreme prejudice. It also sounds fantastic, whips up donuts faster than Dunkin and drifts through turns with grace.

Click past the jump to see the drift van in action.

Continue reading V8 Ford Transit connects with the fine art of drifting

V8 Ford Transit connects with the fine art of drifting originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford powers into Birmingham with one-off Transit SuperSportVan

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Performance, Work, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the latest hot Mustang, Fiesta and Focus models may garner most of the attention from Ford and its performance divisions, back in the UK, the Blue Oval gives delivery boys and construction workers something to dream about with the occasional souped-up Transit. The last such SportVan it rolled out packed a 18-inch alloys and white stripes over red paint, but only a 140-horsepower turbodiesel engine. The model you see here, however, is another beast entirely.

This one-off Transit SuperSportVan packs a 200-horsepower, 3.2-liter turbodiesel five with a six-speed into the short-wheelbase 260 chassis. Upgraded aero package, rolling stock and classic blue stripes over white body are also part of the package, all to show the competition who's boss.

Unfortunately, just a concept, the Transit SSV was prepared for the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham, England. It follows a long line of hot panel wagons from Ford UK that traces back to the 1971 GT40-based Transit Supervan, the Coworth V8-powered Supervan II of 1984, the '95 Supervan III that packed a 650hp Formula One engine and the Y2k Ford World Rally Transit complete with Martini racing stripes.

Follow the jump for the full press release, and scope out the photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford powers into Birmingham with one-off Transit SuperSportVan

Ford powers into Birmingham with one-off Transit SuperSportVan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford celebrates the Transit in UK with special edition SportVan. One, please.

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Performance, Ford, UK

Ford Transit SportVan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Push comes to shove, the Brits know modern delivery vans better than we do. (Hard to admit, we know.) What we use high-cube trucks, pickups and vans of varying sizes for, they do it all in panel vans. They drive the wheels off 'em, and the Ford Transit (not to be confused with its kid brother, the Transit Connect) is the king of 'em all. In fact, it has for the past 45 years been the best-selling van in the UK. And to celebrate, Ford UK is launching the special edition you see here.

This Ford Transit SportVan is based on the short-wheelbase 260 model and comes equipped with a 140-horsepower turbo-diesel, 18-inch graphite-finish alloys, twin exhaust pipes and a variety of other features, all wrapped up in red with white racing stripes. Only 100 examples will be made, and given the van's popularity on the Isles, we're sure they'll all sell out in a flash. In fact we know they will, since every previous SportVan edition has, including editions in blue with white stripes, grey with silver, black with silver, white with blue and blue with silver stripes.

Unfortunately this is another sport model we'll have to admire from the opposite shore, but driving back home in an SVT Raptor ought to help numb the pain. You know the drill: details in the press release after the jump, photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Transit SportVan

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford celebrates the Transit in UK with special edition SportVan. One, please.

Ford celebrates the Transit in UK with special edition SportVan. One, please. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Ford, Electric

Ford Transit Connect Electric - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has big plans for electrification of its fleet over the next decade, and while most of the emphasis has been on North America so far, Europe will be joining in on the party starting in 2011. Nancy Gioia has announced that between 2011 and 2013, Ford of Europe will get five new hybrid and battery electric models added to its lineup. About six to nine months after each of the new models rolls out in North America, they will be introduced in Europe.

Ford's first new battery-powered vehicle, the Transit Connect Electric goes on sale this fall in North America followed by a European launch in the middle of 2011. The battery powered van is just the beginning of Ford's global electrification plan. Read more about it after the jump.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Eletric at Chicago Auto Show

Photos by Drew Phillips, Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011

Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Taxi burns CNG, LPG and four acres of space

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Ford

Ford Transit Connect Taxi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hot on the (w)heels of the Ford Transit Electric, the Transit Connect Taxi drove onto the stage at the Chicago Auto Show today running on compressed natural gas (CNG). The clean-burning utility van - based on the gasoline-powered North American Truck of the Year winner - adds to Ford's taxi fleet options like the Crown Victoria (see: pretty much any taxi in any city in the U.S.) and the Ford Escape Hybrid. The new taxi van can also burn propane (LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas). Of course, regular Transit Connect buyers can also opt for Ford's engine prep package to be able to put the gasoline alternatives into the tank. Like its battery-powered cousin, the Transit Connect Taxi will be in dealerships later this year.

Ford product development vice president Derrick Kuzak said that there is "strong demand" for CNG and LPG vehicles among fleet operators. Kuzak also highlighted the small size of the Transit Connect in an odd way: if all of the taxis in Chicago were replaced with these vans, he said, it would free up approximately four acres. Um, OK. Now, what should we do with these extra acres?

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Taxi at Chicago Auto Show

Continue reading Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Taxi burns CNG, LPG and four acres of space

Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Taxi burns CNG, LPG and four acres of space originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Electric uses the "Force"

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:22:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford

Ford Transit Connect Electric - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, Ford brought the latest (and greatest?) incarnations of the Transit Connect utility van to the Chicago Auto Show today. The battery-powered Transit Connect Electric was up first, perhaps because it fits so well into Ford's strategy of vehicle electrification (see also: Focus Electric coming next year, followed by a plug-in hybrid and a next-gen hybrid in 2012). At the very least, this is Ford's first battery-powered vehicle, said product development vice president Derrick Kuzak.

The practical and battery-powered delivery van (the standard version was named the North American Truck of the Year this year) uses a powertrain developed with help from Azure Dynamics Corporation. Called Force Drive, the 55 kW system uses a 28 kWh lithium ion battery pack from Johnson Controls-Saft, has a 75 mile per hour top speed and can drive up to 80 miles on a charge. Will these specs be enough for customers? Praveen Cherian, program manager for the Transit Connect Electric, said in a statement that:

We're excited about the potential for our electrified vehicles. People were a little hesitant about hybrid technology at first, but now they accept it and embrace it. We expect the same will be true of electric vehicles.

The Transit Connect Electric goes on sale in the U.S. later this year, so we'll find out soon. More details after the jump.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Eletric at Chicago Auto Show

Photos by Drew Phillips, Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Electric uses the "Force"

Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Electric uses the "Force" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota's gas pedal supplier woe spreads to Ford of China commercial vehicles

Michael Harley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:18:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Recalls

Taking every precaution, Ford Motor Co. has stopped production on its Chinese-made Transit Classic diesel models - a full-sized commercial vehicle with a throttle pedal manufactured by the same company behind the Toyota recall. According to Ford, the vehicles began production in December and only about 1,600 vehicles have been produced. There have been no reported problems with the vehicle's accelerator, but the automaker wants to take a step back to ensure problems will not surface in the future. "That's part of our routine process - when a company has a recall, you conduct a review and determine if you share any of the same vendors, design, parts," according to Ford spokesman Said Deep.

The accelerators in question - subject to recall for sticking and causing unintended acceleration - are made by CTS Corp, based in Elkhart, Indiana. While CTS makes throttle pedal assemblies for other automakers, Toyota and Ford are the only companies thus far to announce production stoppages. Thanks for the tip Jarrett!

[Source: The Globe and Mail]

Report: Toyota's gas pedal supplier woe spreads to Ford of China commercial vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta winning hearts and minds - and wallets - in Europe

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Earnings/Financials

2009 Ford Fiesta - Click above for a high-res gallery

The Ford Fiesta has already won us over -- twice - and we can't even buy the car yet. But European buyers are nabbing so many Fiestas that the Blue Oval is now enjoying a 10% market share in Europe based on the strength of the compact's sales alongside the Focus and Transit. It's the first time that Ford has had a double-digit European market share since September 2001, and it keeps Ford solidly in the number two spot overall behind Volkswagen.

In all but three of Europe's 19 markets, Ford says it has improved its showing. Already this year, there have been 108,000 Fiestas sold, with 52,800 of those coming in March alone. The market share triumph is even sweeter seeing that overall industry sales took a double-digit fall, but Ford is getting more of what's left. There was no cheating with fleet sales, either: retail sales were up 13% year-on-year. Only France, Switzerland, and Italy showed declines. Appreciate the tip, Preston.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta in NYC

[Source: Ford]

Ford Fiesta winning hearts and minds - and wallets - in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's new electric van for 2010 will come from Europe

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Green, Ford

Click above for a gallery of the Ford Transit Connect van

Ford's business plan submitted to Congress a few weeks ago indicated that the Detroit-based automaker would be offering a "full battery electric vehicle in a van-type vehicle for commercial fleet use in 2010." Up until this point, we were left to speculate on the basis for the new EV, but Ford CEO Alan Mulally has now revealed that the new Blue Oval van will be based on the European Ford Transit that's scheduled to hit U.S. shores in the summer of 2009. We expect to hear more about the upcoming electric van over the next few months, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but the fact that it'll be based on the Transit should come as little surprise. The only other cargo vehicle that the automaker has at its disposal is the full-size, rear-wheel-drive E-Series, and that platform would be much less appropriate for an urban electric vehicle than the lighter, front-wheel-drive Transit van.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford's new electric van for 2010 will come from Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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