Autoblog

REPORT: Ford Transit Connect arriving in U.S. with full interiors that get stripped to comply with "Chicken Law"

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Ford

2010 Ford Transit Connect - Click above for high-res image gallery

The law of unintended consequences is a funny one. Take the chicken tax. Back in the 1960s, West Germany imposed high tariffs on American grown chicken. President Johnson - a man you would not want to mess with - fought back by imposing high import tariffs on foreign made trucks and commercial vans. This is one of the reasons why there are no full-size German pickup trucks. It's also why German egg yolks are orange while ours are yellow (grass fed chicken vs. corn fed chicken), but that's another story. The only reason we have the Toyota Tundra and the Nissan Titan is because those companies decided to make them here in the U.S. Otherwise they'd be too expensive. This poses a real problem if you're Ford and you want to bring in your made-in-Turkey Transit Connect van.

How to circumvent the law? There's all sorts of creative ways. Up until just recently, Chrysler's been selling Sprinter vans here in the States by shipping them unassembled to a factory in South Carolina where the vans are reconstituted and shipped to dealers. Ford's taking a slightly different approach. They actually ship the Transit Connects here with the vans classified as wagons. Then, once they reach a processing facility in Baltimore, they are transformed into cargo vans, totally side-stepping the Chicken Tax. Smart, huh?

The process of transforming a passenger "wagon" into a cargo van works like this. The rear windows are removed and replaced by a sheet of metal that's quick cured in place. The rear seats and seat belts are then removed and a new floorboard is screwed into place. Voila - five minutes after they start as five-passenger wagons, Ford has a bunch of two-seater panel vans. The seats are then shredded and the material is used as land fill cover. No word on what happens to the glass. Long story short, take that chicken tax!

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

[Source: WSJ]

REPORT: Ford Transit Connect arriving in U.S. with full interiors that get stripped to comply with "Chicken Law" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First month of 2010 Ford Transit Connect sales top 2,000 units

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford

Ford Transit Connect in Los Angeles -- click above image for high-res gallery

Things that don't surprise us Late August, 2009 Edition: Brett Favre acting like a spoiled seven-year-old, devastating fires threatening huge chunks of drought-plagued Los Angeles and the fact that Ford sold over 2,000 Transit Connect vans in its first month here in the States. Why? Because Ford's little van is not only a smart product, but it fills a much needed and until now empty niche.

For more than a decade, Ford has been selling smart but small little panel vans (starting with the Escort Van) all over Europe. Small businesses in need of a right-sized, practical work truck flock to them and are rewarded with a low initial cost, low total cost and good mileage. Especially the diesels. But here in the U.S., no such vehicle existed. Until last month.

To quote Ford, "Around the country, small business operators and fleet customers are quickly adding Ford Transit Connect vehicles as an efficient mobility solution for their respective enterprises." Sure, these same businesses and fleets could have chosen something like a Chevy HHR Panel, but those were designed first and foremost as passenger cars and the lack of cargo space proves it. Whereas the Transit Connect was a work vehicle from the start, featuring useful items like dual-sliding rear doors and a low load-in height.

What types of businesses are buying the Transit Connects? "Laundry mats, caterers, door and lock companies, painters, electricians, restaurant suppliers, satellite dish installers, carpet installers and commercial carpet cleaners." Again, companies that have traditionally been underserved by large platforms like F-150s or Econolines. Full press release below the fold.

Gallery: Ford Transit connect in Los Angeles

Continue reading First month of 2010 Ford Transit Connect sales top 2,000 units

First month of 2010 Ford Transit Connect sales top 2,000 units originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:29:00 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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Spy Shots: Ford Transit taxi coming to New York Auto Show?

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Ford

Click above for more shots of the Ford Transit Taxi.

Our new favorite friend Chris sent us over a handful of shots showing a Ford Transit Connect done up in taxi livery. The black and yellow people mover was apparently caught during a photo shoot in the Big Apple, possibly ahead of its official unveiling next week during the New York Auto Show. While it's hard to make out what mods have been done to the interior, the exterior's revised paint scheme and lettering has a decidedly futuristic feel. We definitely like the idea of a Transit shuttling city-goers around Gotham, and judging by the paint scheme, the 21st century taxis we envisioned in our youth aren't too far off.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Ford Transit Taxi

Spy Shots: Ford Transit taxi coming to New York Auto Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #87

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Podcasts, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Truck, Crossover, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Suzuki, Volkswagen, India

The Chicago Auto Show wasn't that eventful, but that's what we lead off Autoblog Podcast episode #87 with. The Challenger was the biggest deal, followed by the Denali XT, and then a bunch of inconsequential things. We did find ourselves talking about the Suzuki Equator and the Ford Transit Connect, too. We give you our first up close and personal impressions of the Challenger SRT-8 in this podcast. We also saw the VW Routan, which certainly doesn't conjure warm, fuzzy memories of Type IIs gone by. Chevy's Traverse calls into question the usefulness of Saturn's Outlook in the product lineup. Speaking of GM badge-engineering, we got word this week that Pontiac will not be getting a Trans Am companion to the Camaro, dang. Another disappointment is the rumor that Cerberus is going to let the Viper run down without rewinding the clock for a third generation. We wrap up by touching on the possibility that an Indian pickup could be the first diesel hybrid in the US, even though it's not even being imported yet, and we're sure that when it gets here, it'll generate even more hate than the new Acura RL. 42 minutes, that's it. Sorry it's a little late this week, it's all Alex's fault, I swear.

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Autoblog Podcast #87 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DeLorean's stillborn 40-foot bus

Dan Roth — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Work

Glomming onto a Federal program in the 1970s meant to spur the development of more accessible buses, DeLorean Motor Corporation saw a potential revenue stream. Not that the DMC 80 had anything to do with their now cult-classic sports car, it wouldn't have even been built by DMC. An example of how badge engineering and pimping platforms has been going on forever in the automotive business, DeLorean was essentially planning on affixing the DMC badge to buses from Germany's FFG.

Like the DMC-12, success was not to be had. The Urban Mass Transit Administration's (now Federal Transit Administration) Transbus program was cancelled in 1981 after several years of floundering. DMC couldn't continue to devote resources to the effort, so they abandoned the licensing effort and scrapped a proposal for a bus assembly plant in New York, too. While DeLorean may be little more than a passing curiosity in automotive history, the fact that they got an automobile into production and on the market means that there are plenty of enthusiasts looking for any remaining vestiges of the company. The nature of launching an automotive enterprise also means that there's a ton of material to be strip-mined on eBay. If you find this little footnote in DeLorean's history as fascinating as we do, you can pony up bids and get your hands on a small trove of goodies like blueprints to the non-starter bus plant, a brochure for the DMC 80, and a random DeLorean certificate of achievement. Our favorite item, though, is the memo from John DeLorean to Bill Haddad, essentially saying "call this guy, he can help us, oh yeah, he was also convicted of fraud."

[Source: eBay via Winding Road]

Gallery: DeLorean bus

DeLorean's stillborn 40-foot bus originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Delivery trucks are cool: Ford Transit SportVan

Alex Nunez — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Work, Ford

Click image for photo gallery

The annual Commercial Vehicle Show in Blighty is one of our favorite things, specifically because our inner children never stopped liking big trucks , and the manufacturers actually unveil cool stuff at the show. Exhibit A comes from Ford, which pulled the wraps off the limited-edition Transit SportVan. Powered by a 130-horse diesel, the bespoilered SportVan is targeted at the small business owner who wants to deliver his or her goods in style, hence the Performance Blue paint, Le Mans stripes, and 18" alloys. Inside, it's driver rolls along in leather seats, with creature comforts like additional leather appointments, a CD changer, A/C, rain-sensing wipers, and more all included in the deal. Only 500 will be built. Full details from Ford come after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Transit SportVan

Continue reading Delivery trucks are cool: Ford Transit SportVan

Delivery trucks are cool: Ford Transit SportVan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford may bring Mondeo, S-Max to U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Crossover, Ford, Mercury

As previously reported, Ford intends to begin sharing both platforms and vehicles, originally developed for Europe, with the U.S. We've already been informed that the Transit Connect, a small commercial vehicle, is headed our way, but during an interview with Automotive News, FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally hinted at the prospect of bringing over the Mondeo sedan and S-Max people mover.

Both you and most of the Autoblog staff have been smitten by the Mondeo's style, but the question remains: where will it fit in? The sedan would directly compete with the Ford Fusion, so the possibility of moving the Mondeo up market and slapping a Mercury badge on it is one possibility.

As for the S-Max: most will agree that the people mover segment is in desperate need of a makeover. While minivan sales remain stagnant and consumers move on from the SUV-craze, there would seem to be a market for a nicely designed, well-equipped vehicle that can hold the kids and the prerequisite soccer supplies.

If and when all this would come to fruition is up in the air, but if Ford decided to make this kind of move, we wouldn't expect much before 2009.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford may bring Mondeo, S-Max to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S.

John Neff — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Work, Ford

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]

Continue reading REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S.

REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford unveils pair of Transits for extra people and performance

John Neff — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:32:00 EST

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

click either image to view high resolution gallery

The new Ford Transit was crowned as the 2007 International Van of the Year back in September, which set Ford of Europe's team into motion to create two special one-offs to celebrate the honor. The first is the Transit XXL, a bespoke limousine created by joining two short-wheelbase Transit Tourneo models. Despite being over 24 feet long, the Transit XXL seats only seven people, but just imagine the kind of leg room each passenger enjoys. Entry into the vehicle can be accomplished through one of four full-size sliding doors, and the XXL was made a right-hand drive model, not just because it was developed in Europe, but also because livery drivers will find themselves on the right side of the vehicle when pulling up curbside to drop off passengers.

The second vehicle is an updated version of the Transit Connect X-PRESS, a high performance version of the Transit that was originally developed in 2004. The Ford of Europe team has updated the X-PRESS to reflect the van's redesign, though the vehicle still retains the running gear from the 2004 Ford Focus RS, which includes a 212-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, five-speed stick and limited-slip differential. The X-PRESS can reach 60 mph in less than seven seconds and top out at 130 mph, which is not too bad for a commercial van.

Check out Ford's official release on each vehicle after the jump and high-resolution images in our gallery.

[Source: Ford of Europe]

Continue reading Ford unveils pair of Transits for extra people and performance

Ford unveils pair of Transits for extra people and performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit gets 4WD

Noah Joseph — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:24:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Work, Ford

Click to enlarge

The Ford Transit has for decades been the standard working horse of Europe and much of the rest of the world - the F-150 for our friends across the pond. The versatile work-a-day hauler was recently named Van of the Year by a pan-European panel of automotive journalists. (Why didn't they ask us? Just 'cause we can't find "Yurp" on a map doesn't mean we don't have an opinion!)

Ford's upping the ante and making a versatile vehicle even more versatile by offering the van now with four-wheel-drive. Mated to a 140-hp 2.4-liter turbodiesel through a six-speed floor-shifter, Ford expects the surefooted Transit to find its way into the garages of police departments, park rangers and rescue workers (among others) who'll undoubtedly find its enhanced capability to make for a handy tool.

(Press release, hires pics after the jump after the jump)

[Source: Ford UK]

Continue reading Ford Transit gets 4WD

Ford Transit gets 4WD originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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