Topnotch

Alan Mulally Addresses Employees at Ford's World Headquarters:
DEARBORN, MI., April 26, 2007

Topnotch

Click Through some pics...
http://magazin.auto.cz/index.php?seo...=45a1f4270a62e

98stangv6

looks like the child of an F150 and an older Dodge minivan
why Ford, why?

codeman94

That will go over like the first cabover Toyota minivans did....

GT40 2

How is the transit anything like that?

codeman94

uhhhh...its ugly?

Zastava_101

So is Ford discontinuing Econoline or something?

Moosetang

Nope, they're offering this alongside the E-series, for owners who want something alittle smaller and more efficient.

mustang_sallad

Hey guys, I've been driving one of these at work since I moved to London in the fall.
This vehicle wouldn't replace the Econoline, as its much smaller. The regular Transit (not Connect) is the ubiquitous work truck here though, and that ones more similar to the Dodge Sprinter. The Transit really dominates that segment here and is the standard, while the Transit Connect is it's little brother which is actually based on the old Focus platform. So its really small and pretty nimble if you ask me. The one I've been driving has a Zetek engine with a five-speed, but we've also got a turbodiesel van that we use mainly for towing.
Its a really good size of vehicle people who need a work van but don't need the size of an E-150. Small delivery stuff, repairmen.

I haven't ever actually seen a passenger version though, like the one posted above, they're all panel trucks here. The passenger one is actually called the Tourneo connect.
There's a thread on BON about this being a good candidate for NY taxis. I guess it could work, but really, its not that big a vehicle. The London cabs are much bigger than this thing. But I do think its a good idea for many businesses, although that doesn't mean those businesses will necessarily buy into it.

Laser98

this van is way to euro looking for the states

Hollywood_North GT

WTF is it with Ford's NA truck obsession? We don't need THIS, we need cars like the Euro Focus and/or Mondeo.

Somebody needs to give their head a shake.

Black331

1. This isn't a truck, it's built on the Focus chassis.

2. This is exactly what Ford needs, the TC will have the entire segment to itself, and should do real well with today's gas prices.

3. This shows the new management is happy to bring Euro stuff over, we just have to wait for the others unfortunately.

Hollywood_North GT

Hmmm...looks like a truck, works like a truck...quacks like a truck - I'm guessing it's a truck. Or, if you wanna be technical, a van (which I consider a truck, cause it sure ain't a car).

So we have Ford's existing vans, we have Excursion, we have Explorer, we have Taurus X, we have Escape, we have Edge...why exactly do we need this thing and who's it for again?

The point is that this shows that Ford is a truck company first and foremost; it affects all their thinking (including pram axles in their storied coupe). The first vehicle that comes over is the Transit...not any of the cars, but yet another cargo hauler. Telling...

jsaylor

I think it's worth mentioning that global sales of the Transit Connect have been disappointing and we are likely getting one in no small part because an excess production capacity exists. That said, it will probably sell well enough but seems unlikely to change Ford's fortunates significantly either way.

Cheese302

i'll drive it in a heartbeat. talk about versatile as hell and able to get some mileage

SyNRG

i think these will bode well for business owners, small & large. i dont think these are geared towards the consumer mass like us. although, i wouldnt pass up owning one if it looked like this:

Transit X-Press

Vermillion06

The headlights and grille have a family resemblence to the US Fusion (needs a third grille bar though) . I bet these will really help with CAFE, and that's probably one of the reasons they bringing them over.