Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Best Buy Geek Squad fleet adds Ford vans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/best-buy-geek-squad-fleet-adds-ford-vans/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/best-buy-geek-squad-fleet-adds-ford-vans/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/best-buy-geek-squad-fleet-adds-ford-vans/#commentsFiled under: ,



Best Buy is looking to save a few bucks on fuel while adding functionality to its Geek Squad fleet, so the big box store is looking to Ford Motor Company's commercial vans to for an answer. The ubiquitous electronics and entertainment store is replacing some of its larger cargo vans with a fleet of 290 fuel-thrifty Transit Connects.

Best Buy will hand over the Transit Connect vans to GS employees responsible for delivering, installing and servicing home appliances. The Transit Connect definitely fits in with the unique look of the typical Geek Squad mobile, and the van's side access panels will give technicians easier access to tools and diagnostic equipment.

The still new Transit Connect gets top billing here, but the bulk of Best Buy's fleet purchase goes to the tried and true E-Series vans with a sizable order of 738 vehicles. Best Buy Fleet Manager Jason Pucely says the Ford cargo vans have smaller, more efficient engines than the vehicles they will replace, saving the global retail outlet a significant chunk of change.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Best Buy Geek Squad fleet adds Ford vans

Best Buy Geek Squad fleet adds Ford vans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buy fansbest buy ford vans geek squadBestBuyFansBestBuyFordVansGeekSquadford transit connectford transit connnectFordTransitConnectFordTransitConnnectgeek squad best buygeek squad transit connectGeekSquadBestBuyGeekSquadTransitConnecttransit connectTransitConnectFri, 27 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19609247/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/27/best-buy-geek-squad-fleet-adds-ford-vans/19609247/article-detail.xml 19609247 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/transconn-bestbuy02_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/transconn-bestbuy02.jpg <![CDATA[Ford recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/09/ford-recalling-nearly-34-000-transit-connect-vehicles-over-headl/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/09/ford-recalling-nearly-34-000-transit-connect-vehicles-over-headl/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/09/ford-recalling-nearly-34-000-transit-connect-vehicles-over-headl/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

In a recall scheduled to begin in about 10 days, Ford dealers will be repairing headliners in Transit Connect vans due to faulty retention pins. In the event of an accident, passengers could be at increased risk of injury due to the faulty trim. Full details on the recall involving 33,728 of the popular vans can be found after the jump.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Transit Connect


[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns

Ford recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford transit connect2010FordTransitConnectford transit connectFordTransitConnectNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationnhtsarecalltransit connectTransitConnectFri, 09 Jul 2010 17:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19548208/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/09/ford-recalling-nearly-34-000-transit-connect-vehicles-over-headl/19548208/article-detail.xml 19548208 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/fordtransitrecallx_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/fordtransitrecallx.jpg <![CDATA[Isn't it Ironic? Ex-Hummer builder AM General handling final assembly of Transit Connect Electric]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/19/isnt-it-ironic-ex-hummer-builder-am-general-handling-final-ass/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/19/isnt-it-ironic-ex-hummer-builder-am-general-handling-final-ass/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/19/isnt-it-ironic-ex-hummer-builder-am-general-handling-final-ass/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

When Ford and Azure Dynamics unveiled the Transit Connect Electric van earlier this year, Azure announced that the electric drive systems would be installed at a facility in Michigan. Today, Azure let it be known that the installation work will be done by AM General, a company that's best known for producing the military-spec Humvee, at its engineering and product development facility in Livonia, MI.

Ford will be shipping Transit Connect gliders (vehicles without any fuel or powertrain components installed) from its plant in Turkey to the AM General plant. Azure will ship the motors, power electronics and batteries to the plant where AM General will do the final assembly. The first units will be produced late this year with full production ramping up by April of 2011. The Transit Connect Electric will have a range of about 80 miles and be targeted at commercial customers, although Ford will apparently sell the van to any customer who wants one. Official press release available after the jump.


Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Eletric at Chicago Auto Show

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

[Source: Azure Dynamics]

Continue reading Isn't it Ironic? Ex-Hummer builder AM General handling final assembly of Transit Connect Electric

Isn't it Ironic? Ex-Hummer builder AM General handling final assembly of Transit Connect Electric originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 ford2011 ford transit connect2011 transit connect2011Ford2011FordTransitConnect2011TransitConnectAM GeneralAmGeneralazure dynamicsAzureDynamicsBEVblue ovalBlueOvalelectric vehicleelectric vehicle productionelectric vehiclesElectricVehicleElectricVehicleProductionElectricVehiclesfordford transit connectFord Transit Connect Electricford transit connect evFordTransitConnectFordTransitConnectElectricFordTransitConnectEvtransittransit connecttransit connect electricTransitConnectTransitConnectElectricWed, 19 May 2010 14:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19483300/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/19/isnt-it-ironic-ex-hummer-builder-am-general-handling-final-ass/19483300/article-detail.xml 19483300 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/transitelectricchicago01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/transitelectricchicago01opt.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2010 Ford Transit Connect arrives ready for work]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/05/2010-ford-transit-connect-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/05/2010-ford-transit-connect-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/05/2010-ford-transit-connect-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

If there were one undeniable business lesson to be learned from the auto industry during the past decade, it's to keep a close eye on your sales and a closer eye on your capacity. As Ferrari executives have repeatedly said over the years, the supply of any model should always be exactly one less than the demand. Less supply and you're leaving money on the table, more and you've got unused capacity.

This philosophy can be adapted to a wide array of businesses and is especially relevant to small businesses. Many small businesses need to deliver product or services to their customers. For many that operate locally, existing options like the Dodge Sprinter or Ford E-Series vans are simply too large, thirsty and unwieldy for their needs. Enter the Ford Transit Connect. Since being introduced last year in North America, an increasing number of businesses small and large have found the Transit Connect to be just the right size for their needs. We spent a week with a cargo van version to find out what it's like to live with. Follow the jump to read on.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Transit Connect


Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Transit Connect arrives ready for work

Review: 2010 Ford Transit Connect arrives ready for work originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 May 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford transit connect2010 transit connect2010FordTransitConnect2010TransitConnectfeaturedfordford transit connectFordTransitConnectreviewreviewstransit connectTransitConnectWed, 05 May 2010 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19465497/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/05/2010-ford-transit-connect-review/19465497/article-detail.xml 19465497 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/transitconnect---01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/transitconnect---01opt.jpg <![CDATA[Boston becomes first city to approve Ford Transit Connect Taxi [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/30/boston-becomes-first-city-to-approve-ford-transit-connect-taxi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/30/boston-becomes-first-city-to-approve-ford-transit-connect-taxi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/30/boston-becomes-first-city-to-approve-ford-transit-connect-taxi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

The Ford Transit Connect could soon start plying the streets of America's cities in taxi garb following the decision by Boston to approve the compact van for the new application. Ford announced the taxi package for the Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

The Transit Connect is expected to start replacing traditional Crown Victoria sedans and will be a more practical alternative to the smaller Escape Hybrid. While the Escape is fuel efficient, it's rather small for cab duty. The Transit Connect can more easily carry three passengers and plenty of luggage or other cargo. Ford has also moved the rear seat back three inches in the taxi version for extra leg room.

The Transit Connect taxi can also be ordered with a package that preps it for conversion to either propane or natural gas fuel systems. Check out video of the Transit Connect taxi after the jump.


Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Taxi


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Boston becomes first city to approve Ford Transit Connect Taxi [w/video]

Boston becomes first city to approve Ford Transit Connect Taxi [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boston ford transit connect taxiboston.comBostonFordTransitConnectTaxifordford transit connect taxiford transit connect taxi approvalFordTransitConnectTaxiFordTransitConnectTaxiApprovaltransit connecttransit connect 2010transit connect taxiTransit Connect Taxi ConceptTransitConnectTransitConnect2010TransitConnectTaxiTransitConnectTaxiConceptFri, 30 Apr 2010 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19460109/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/30/boston-becomes-first-city-to-approve-ford-transit-connect-taxi/19460109/article-detail.xml 19460109 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/2011transcontaxi05-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/2011transcontaxi05-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Ford helping small businesses get wrapped up with Transit Connect]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/05/report-ford-helping-small-businesses-get-wrapped-up-with-transi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/05/report-ford-helping-small-businesses-get-wrapped-up-with-transi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/05/report-ford-helping-small-businesses-get-wrapped-up-with-transi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Transit Connect Graphic Wraps - Click above for high-res image gallery

Have you ever seen those commercial vehicles that are loaded up with high-quality graphics touting the company's wares? Affective marketing to be sure, but aren't those lavish graphics for big companies that can afford such extravagances? That may have been the case back in the day, but Ford is looking to sell Transit Connect transport vans while also giving small business owners the ability to spruce up their ride with cutting edge marketing.

Ford has launched the website fordtransitconnectgraphics.com, which hooks up Transit Connect buyers with Blue Oval graphics partner Original Wraps, inc. For as little as $100 or as much as $3,500, Original Wraps can fit a massive wrap around any Transit Connect. Interested owners can upload images and company logos in tandem with templated graphics to the Ford Transit Connect Graphics website. When complete, the massive wraps can cover the front, sides and back of their little cargo van. Try adding obscene or copyrighted graphics to your Transit Connect through the site and risk losing your deposit.

Ford has reportedly sold over 13,000 Transit Connect vans since the commercial van went on sale last year. A similar Ford graphics site was accessed by over 9,000 customers since it went live last November. Click on the gallery below or the image above to look at some of the graphic wrap samples Original Wraps has come up with so far.


Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Graphic Wraps


[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Ford helping small businesses get wrapped up with Transit Connect originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford motor companyford transit connectFordMotorCompanyFordTransitConnectoriginal wrapsOriginalWrapstransit connecttransit connect graphicsTransitConnectTransitConnectGraphicsvan graphicsVanGraphicsMon, 05 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19426157/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/05/report-ford-helping-small-businesses-get-wrapped-up-with-transi/19426157/article-detail.xml 19426157 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/transit-connect-graphic-pol_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/transit-connect-graphic-pol.jpg <![CDATA[Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Taxi burns CNG, LPG and four acres of space]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-connect-taxi-burns-cng-lpg-and-four/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-connect-taxi-burns-cng-lpg-and-four/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-connect-taxi-burns-cng-lpg-and-four/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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


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

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chicagochicago 2010Chicago Auto ShowChicago2010ChicagoAutoShowfordford transitford transit connect taford transit taxiFordTransitFordTransitConnectTaFordTransitTaxitransit connectTransitConnectWed, 10 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19352749/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-connect-taxi-burns-cng-lpg-and-four/19352749/article-detail.xml 19352749 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/transittaxichicago-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/transittaxichicago-630.jpg <![CDATA[Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Electric uses the "Force"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-electric-uses-the-force-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-electric-uses-the-force-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-electric-uses-the-force-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chicagochicago 2010Chicago Auto ShowChicago2010ChicagoAutoShowfordford transitford transit connectFord Transit Connect Electricford transit connect evFordTransitFordTransitConnectFordTransitConnectElectricFordTransitConnectEvtransit connectTransitConnectWed, 10 Feb 2010 14:22:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19352715/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-ford-transit-electric-uses-the-force-drive/19352715/article-detail.xml 19352715 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/transitelectricchicago01opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/transitelectricchicago01opt.jpg <![CDATA[Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-ford-sweeps-north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-ye/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-ford-sweeps-north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-ye/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-ford-sweeps-north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-ye/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas, accepts the hardware from Tony Swan of Car and Driver

For just the third time in the 17-year history of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, one manufacturer has taken home both pieces of etched glass. Ford's 2010 Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect have yielded the hardware for the Dearborn automaker here at the Detroit Auto Show, with the Fusion emerging victorious over the shortlisted Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf, and the Transit Connect besting the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback.

The last time a single manufacturer won both the Car and Truck of the Year awards was back in 2006, when Honda did double duty with its Civic compact and Ridgeline pickup. In total, a U.S. automaker has won the car award nine times, and the truck award, 11 times. Official press release after the jump.


Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid


Gallery: 2010 Ford Transit Connect


[Source: Ford]

Follow our coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show live all day on Twitter at http://twitter.com/therealautoblog

Continue reading Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010

Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Buick2010 Buick Lacrosse2010 Chevrolet2010 Equinox2010 Ford fusion Hybrid2010 Ford Transit Connecti2010 Golf2010 lacrosse2010 outback2010 subaru2010 Volkswagen2010 Volkswagen golf2010 VW Golf2010Buick2010BuickLacrosse2010Chevrolet2010Equinox2010FordFusionHybrid2010FordTransitConnecti2010Golf2010Lacrosse2010Outback2010Subaru2010Volkswagen2010VolkswagenGolf2010VwGolfbreakingbreaking newsbreakingnewsbuick lacrosseBuickLacrossecar and driverCarAndDriverChevrolet EquinoxChevroletEquinoxDetroit 2010Detroit auto showDetroit auto show 2010Detroit2010DetroitAutoShowDetroitAutoShow2010EquinoxfordFord FusionFord Fusion hybridFordFusionFordFusionHybridFusionhybridlacrossemark fieldsMarkFieldsNACOTYNAIASNAIAS 2010Naias2010NATOTYnorth american car of the yearnorth american car of the year 2010north american truck of the yearnorth american truck of the year 2010NorthAmericanCarOfTheYearNorthAmericanCarOfTheYear2010NorthAmericanTruckOfTheYearNorthAmericanTruckOfTheYear2010subarusubaru outbackSubaruOutbacktony swanTonySwantransit connectTransitConnectVolkswagen GolfVolkswagenGolfVWMon, 11 Jan 2010 08:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19311608/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-ford-sweeps-north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-ye/19311608/article-detail.xml 19311608 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nacoty-2010-fields-swan-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nacoty-2010-fields-swan-630.jpg <![CDATA[SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-rest-of-the-best-at-the-ford-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-rest-of-the-best-at-the-ford-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-rest-of-the-best-at-the-ford-display/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The rest of the Ford display - Click above for high-res image gallery

SEMA is an interesting show. We go in knowing full well that 60-75% of the cars we'll be walking past and/or covering are just trash. Sorry if this bombshell offends anyone, but your Chrysler 300C doesn't need 26-inch hoops, nor seventy gallons of sparkle orange paint. Or diamonds. But, as Doyle Brunson might say if he covered cars instead of being the Godfather of Texas Hold 'Em, that's SEMA.

We mention this in the "other Fords" post because some of these custom FoMoCos look fantastic, or at least pretty good. But 60-75% of them, well, we're not entirely sold. Let's start with the good. Despite the two-tone paint job, we're pretty darn smitten with the Fusion T4 by MRT above. More cars need big old intercoolers taking up the whole lower fascia. And while they might be an inch (or three) too big, the wheels are nice. And that white Lincoln MKS? Nice.

But then you got the other cars contained in this here gallery, and... um.... we like the Lincoln MKT, because well, we just like MKTs. But we're not sold on the Focus upgrades, especially since Ford saw fit to bring a Euro Focus RS to the show. Game, set, outmatched. And don't even get us started on the Edge they've cooked up here. Specifically, the wing on the back. No really - see for yourself.


Gallery: SEMA 2009: The rest of the Ford display


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EdgeFlexFocusFocus RSFocusRsFordford edgeford focusford fusionFord Transit ConnectFordEdgeFordFocusFordFusionFordTransitConnectFusionLincolnLincoln MKSlincoln MKTLincolnMksLincolnMktSEMASEMA 2009SEMA ShowSema2009SemaShowTransit ConnectTransitConnectFri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19224958/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-rest-of-the-best-at-the-ford-display/19224958/article-detail.xml 19224958 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/restoffordssema09_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/restoffordssema09_lead.jpg <![CDATA[SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

2009 Ford SEMA vehicles - Click above for image gallery

In addition to the slew of Mustangs that will be at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas next week, Ford has well over a dozen more vehicles represented including perennial favorites like the Focus, Fusion, Flex and F-150, as well as newcomers like the Taurus SHO, Transit Connect and MKS.

Our personal faves include the Taurus "Best of SHO" by MRT-Direct that improves on the stock SHO with a subtle ground effects kit and vented hood, as well as adds performance improvements through tweaks of EcoBoost engine's turbocharging system and exhaust. Another cool newbie is the Transit Connect by Azentek and Grant Products that features a road-hugging body kit on the outside and a pull-out kitchen and upper bunk bed on the inside.

Our two favorites F-150s that will be on display at SEMA are the "Freedom Truck" that pays tribute to all those who have served in the U.S. armed forces with a patriotic paint job and the Super Duty DeWALT Contractor "Concept", the latter of which looks like a contractor's dream come true.

You can check out all the remaining SEMA vehicles from FoMoCo in the gallery below, complete with descriptions attached for each model.


Gallery: Ford and Lincoln at SEMA 2009

2010 Ford Taurus by Tommy Z Design2010 Ford Taurus SHO by Mobsteel2010 Ford Taurus ?Best of SHO? by MRT-Direct2010 Ford Fusion Sport by Aaron Vaccar Signature Series2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid by M&J Enterprises

[Source: Ford]

SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-150f-150 semaF-150Semaford semaFordSemalincoln semaLincolnSemasemasema 2009sema showSema2009SemaShowtaurustaurus shotaurus sho semaTaurusShoTaurusShoSematransit connecttransit connect semaTransitConnectTransitConnectSemaMon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19210277/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/26/sema-preview-the-rest-of-the-best-from-ford-and-lincoln/19210277/article-detail.xml 19210277 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/fordsemavehicles_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/fordsemavehicles_opt.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Ford Transit Connect arriving in U.S. with full interiors that get stripped to comply with "Chicken Law"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-all-ford-transit-connects-arrive-in-u-s-with-full-inter/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-all-ford-transit-connects-arrive-in-u-s-with-full-inter/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-all-ford-transit-connects-arrive-in-u-s-with-full-inter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Ford Transit Connect2010FordTransitConnectChicken TaxChickenTaxFordFord Transit ConnectFordTransitConnectTransitTransit ConnectTransitConnectTurkeyTue, 22 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19169705/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/22/report-all-ford-transit-connects-arrive-in-u-s-with-full-inter/19169705/article-detail.xml 19169705 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/transitconnect_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/transitconnect_lead.jpg <![CDATA[First month of 2010 Ford Transit Connect sales top 2,000 units]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/first-month-of-2010-ford-transit-connect-sales-top-2-000-units/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/first-month-of-2010-ford-transit-connect-sales-top-2-000-units/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/01/first-month-of-2010-ford-transit-connect-sales-top-2-000-units/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FordFord Transit ConnectFordTransitConnectTransitTransit ConnectTransitConnectTue, 01 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19146323/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/01/first-month-of-2010-ford-transit-connect-sales-top-2-000-units/19146323/article-detail.xml 19146323 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/ftc_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/ftc_lead.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be built Stateside in 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-built-stateside-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-built-stateside-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-built-stateside-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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

A welcome splash of news for the UAW and the U.S. economy: Ford will commence production of the Transit Connect at a U.S. assembly plant by mid-year 2012. Currently built in Turkey on a version of the Euro Focus platform, the next generation Transit will also migrate to the FWD compact platform that will underpin the next Focus both hear and abroad. Ford plants in Wayne, Michigan and Louisville, Kentucky will be retooled to build cars on that architecture, meaning the that Transit could join them.

With an electric version joining the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in 2010, an outside analyst predicted 60,000 units would be reasonable by 2013. Ford isn't quoting any production numbers yet, preferring to see how the current version -- that just went on sale this month -- fares.


Gallery: 2010 Ford Transit Connect



[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Ford Transit Connect to be built Stateside in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford transit connect2010 transit connect2010FordTransitConnect2010TransitConnect2013 ford transit connect2013 transit connect2013FordTransitConnect2013TransitConnectfordford transit connectFordTransitConnectkentuckylouisvillemanufacturingmichiganplantstransit connectTransitConnectuawvanwayneMon, 20 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19103351/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/20/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-built-stateside-in-2012/19103351/article-detail.xml 19103351 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/transit-connect--13-1280-580op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/transit-connect--13-1280-580op.jpg <![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the right size for a smaller economy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/first-drive-2010-ford-transit-connect-the-right-size-for-a-sma/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/first-drive-2010-ford-transit-connect-the-right-size-for-a-sma/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/first-drive-2010-ford-transit-connect-the-right-size-for-a-sma/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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

After relying on full-size E-series vans for commercial cargo carrying since the dawn of time, Ford is finally ready to offer North American businesses a more practical alternative. The Transit Connect is a compact, purpose-built van that's been available overseas since 2002, and Ford has sold more than 600,000 of the squat little haulers to businesses abroad over the past seven years. The company hopes that what's good for Europe is good for the States, so the first batch of U.S.-spec models are on their way to dealerships as you read this.

While the E-series vans are more than capable of carrying out their prescribed duties, for most, it's like using a sledgehammer to push a tack into a cork board. The Big-Es were simply more vehicle than necessary for most small businesses, especially those operating locally, delivering flowers, catering and plumbing. That's where the Transit Connect comes in.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the right size for a smaller economy

First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the right size for a smaller economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> first drive FirstDrive2010 ford transit connect2010FordTransitConnectcommercial vanCommercialVancompact vanCompactVanfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivefordford transit connectford-transit-connectFordTransitConnecttransit connecttransit-connectTransitConnectFri, 19 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19071794/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/19/first-drive-2010-ford-transit-connect-the-right-size-for-a-sma/19071794/article-detail.xml 19071794 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/transitfd000_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/transitfd000_opt.jpg <![CDATA[New York Preview: Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/new-york-preview-ford-transit-connect-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/new-york-preview-ford-transit-connect-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/new-york-preview-ford-transit-connect-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Transit Connect Family One concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Anyone with kids knows what it's like to leave the house and forget stuff behind. Those of you who are past their mid-30s might also remember when minivans were actually mini. Ford will unveil a concept next week at the New York Auto Show that tries to eliminate the first problem in a more manageable package. The Transit Connect Family One concept is based on Ford's new compact van going on sale this summer. The regular Transit Connect will normally be targeted at commercial customers who don't require something as large as the E-series van, although anyone can buy one. Ford is more likely using the Family One concept to evaluate interest in a people mover of this size, with an eye towards introducing the next generation of the C-Max here in the U.S. in a couple of years.

Follow the jump to see all the cool features packed into the Ford Transit Family One concept and check out the gallery of official high-res images below for now. We'll have additional live shots to show you later today, as well.


Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Family One concept


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading New York Preview: Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept

New York Preview: Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford transit connect family oneFordTransitConnectFamilyOnenew yorknew york 2009new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2009NewYorkAutoShowNYAutoShowtransit connecttransit connect family oneTransitConnectTransitConnectFamilyOneFri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1506627/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/03/new-york-preview-ford-transit-connect-f/1506627/article-detail.xml 1506627 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/familyone-19-1280_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/familyone-19-1280_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Commercial Appeal: Ford Transit Connect gets higher-than-expected EPA rating of 22/25]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/commercial-appeal-ford-transit-connect-gets-epa-rating-of-22-25/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/commercial-appeal-ford-transit-connect-gets-epa-rating-of-22-25/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/commercial-appeal-ford-transit-connect-gets-epa-rating-of-22-25/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Transit Connect
Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Transit Connect

Ford is making an interesting habit of giving low-ball estimates regarding the mileage of their new vehicles, only to later announce final EPA numbers that are higher by several miles per gallon. This happened with the Fusion Hybrid which was estimated at 39 miles-per-gallon city and then ended up at 41 mpg city. The latest example is the new Transit Connect compact van. When Ford announced the US bound production version just before the Chicago Auto Show, product development boss Derrick Kuzak estimated it would get 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The EPA has now finished its data analysis and come up with even better numbers: 22 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the motorways. Not too shabby for a vehicle with this much room inside and only a four speed automatic transmission.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Transit Connect


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Commercial Appeal: Ford Transit Connect gets higher-than-expected EPA rating of 22/25

Commercial Appeal: Ford Transit Connect gets higher-than-expected EPA rating of 22/25 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epa mileageepa mpgEpaMileageEpaMpgford transit connectford transit connect sportvanFordTransitConnectFordTransitConnectSportvanfuel economyfuel efficiencyFuelEconomyFuelEfficiencytransit connecttransit-connectTransitConnectTue, 24 Feb 2009 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1469975/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/24/commercial-appeal-ford-transit-connect-gets-epa-rating-of-22-25/1469975/article-detail.xml 1469975 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/transit-connect--13-1280_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/transit-connect--13-1280_opt.jpg <![CDATA[No Dummies: CPR instructor, others win custom Ford Transit Connect vans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Ford Transit Connect

Ford is bringing its Transit Connect van to the US this summer with hopes of generating sales to businesses that need 143 cubic feet of cargo space and wouldn't mind car-like fuel economy. To drum up some interest in the Euro-sourced vans, the Blue Oval has just given away five of them to small business owners. One of the winners is a CPR instructor in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jerry Buffman had been lugging her dummies around in a 2001 Toyota Sienna, but needed more space. Buffman travels to locations with her bags full of CPR equipment and practice dummies, and the soon to be released Transit should make lugging all of her props a bit easier.

To showcase the Transit Connect's flexibility, Ford also gave away the mini cargo vans to a kayak company, a cleaner, a dog care business, and a pet and baby safety company. Ford is looking to introduce the production version of the Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show in February, with sales beginning this summer.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect


[Source: MLIVE]

No Dummies: CPR instructor, others win custom Ford Transit Connect vans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blue OvalBlueOvalChicago Auto ShowChicagoAutoShowcommercial truckcommercial vanCommercialTruckCommercialVancontestford cargo vanFordCargoVantransit connectTransitConnectSat, 10 Jan 2009 08:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1421132/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/01/10/no-dummy-cpr-instructor-others-win-custom-ford-transit-connect/1421132/article-detail.xml 1421132 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/transit-connect-van_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/transit-connect-van.jpg <![CDATA[SEMA 2008: Ford Transit Connect H&R Concept gets a new pair of shoes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/sema-2008-ford-transit-connect-handr-concept-gets-a-new-pair-of-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/sema-2008-ford-transit-connect-handr-concept-gets-a-new-pair-of-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/sema-2008-ford-transit-connect-handr-concept-gets-a-new-pair-of-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the H&R Ford Transit Connect Concept

The only time you'd normally put a Ford Transit Connect van together with Piloti racing shoes is if the van in question were delivering them, or there were a 1-make van racing series... which sounds kind of cool now that we think about it. But take those two, add H&R Springs and what you've got is a SEMA-specific combination.



H&R did its usual, dropping the Transit Connect over a set of 19-inch wheels, and then Piloti finished the interior in a steel and microsuede wonderland topped off by a wooden shift knob and two creepy baby shoes hanging from the rearview mirror. You can check out the press release after the jump, and that wild speaker setup in the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford Transt Connect H&R Concept



Continue reading SEMA 2008: Ford Transit Connect H&R Concept gets a new pair of shoes

SEMA 2008: Ford Transit Connect H&R Concept gets a new pair of shoes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarketfordford transitford transit hr conceptFordTransitFordTransitHrConcepthrhr transit conceptHrTransitConceptpilotisemasema 2008Sema2008transit connectTransitConnecttunersvansTue, 04 Nov 2008 18:38:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1362279/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/11/04/sema-2008-ford-transit-connect-handr-concept-gets-a-new-pair-of-s/1362279/article-detail.xml 1362279 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/hr_tran_sema_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/hr_tran_sema.jpg <![CDATA[New York '08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect Taxi - Son of Crown Vic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-08-preview-ford-transit-connect-taxi-son-of-crown-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-08-preview-ford-transit-connect-taxi-son-of-crown-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-08-preview-ford-transit-connect-taxi-son-of-crown-v/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Transit Connect Taxi
Click image for a hi-res photo gallery

In the era of the greener taxicab, the extremely capable Ford Crown Victoria is now gauche. Ford knows this, and later this morning in the Jacob Javits Center, it will unveil a new taxi concept that's about as different from the Vic as you can get. The Ford Transit Connect Taxi that was spied last week combines spaciousness and utility with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions thanks to the 2.0-liter four it packs underhood (no hybrid, though, which would be really big in cities like New York). The yellow exterior is offset with matte grey accents, including the combo fascia/bumpers fore and aft.

Ford Transit Connect TaxiPassengers ride in an airy cabin that feels even more so in the concept thanks to a vista roof that looks nice but would probably never make the cut on a real fleet vehicle. Ford and Microsoft's Work Solutions package powers the system feeding content to the 13-inch display facing the backseat passengers. In addition to acting as the meter and electronic payment interface, the display also supplies "infotainment" info, live traffic and weather, and GPS functionality. Folks who still pay their fares with wallet cabbage can send their greenbacks forward through the concept's fancy little orb in the rear partition (Ford calls it "Sputnik").

As good as the Crown Victoria taxi is, its days are numbered as cities move to green up their taxi fleets. If the Transit Connect can handle the amount of punishment the Vic regularly endures, it's a pretty compelling package. Not only is it more roomy and efficient than the Vic, it could probably be made readily accessible for disabled riders, too. Ford is intent on showing a variety of uses for its new Euro-sourced work van, and this seems like a good one.

Gallery: Ford transit Connect Taxi Concept


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading New York '08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect Taxi - Son of Crown Vic

New York '08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect Taxi - Son of Crown Vic originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnew york 2008NewYork2008nyiasnyias 08Nyias08taxitransit connecttransit connect taxiTransitConnectTransitConnectTaxiWed, 19 Mar 2008 00:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1142925/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/19/new-york-08-preview-ford-transit-connect-taxi-son-of-crown-v/1142925/article-detail.xml 1142925 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/transitconnecttaxi_offlo_01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/transitconnecttaxi_offlo_01.jpg -1 2