http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/15/s...ed-in-favor-o/

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.

 

Why would Ford want this after Sprinter failed?

Plus, since Transit doesnt share anything with any other Fords in the USA it will be pretty expensive to build ... unlike Econoline.

 

I don't know about sprinter failing? I see a lot of then around here, just saying

 

2011 sales (Jan-Aug):
Mercedes Sprinter 1,846
Ford Econoline 80,488

 

Might have something to do with the price. I know my buddy looked at buying them for his company and said they were way out of his price range.

 

I know merc is the main brand but here it's know as dodge sprinter, and I think it's a bit more popular then 1800 units, I don't thinks it outsells the E but still

 

http://secretnewcars.com/SpyShots/Al...ldcar?fotoid=3

 

Dodge Sprinter does not exist anymore, ever since Daimler sold off their part of ownership of Chrysler.

I'm familiar with Dodge Sprinter; it also never sold well. Dodge Sprinter's best year was 2007 when ~17,000 units were sold. It came nowhere close to Econoline in sales.

 

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


http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/f...uilt-t-series/

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.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/f...-in-kansas-ci/

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


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.

 

I kind of figured something like this would happen after they announced the Scorpion (6.7L) would not be put into the ecolines....and there's a vast popularity with the transit which would make sense for them to want to move all of the vans that way, but they're focusing more on people delivering boxes and such with these vans the people I know buying the E series are looking for something to do contracting out of and something that's tough...having said that I think Ford has proved itself and people will be drawn to this line over the competition....

 

I am totally wanting one of these Mad Max Edition Transits. Sign me up. Just make it all HR010 Hot Rod Black, including the wheels, and it'll be sweet.

 

http://www.leftlanenews.com/uaw-offi...-contract.html

 

Most likely for ambulance and similar vehicles.

 

Unless the E Series loses money I can't see how this is anything but a huge mistake. Zoran hit on it already, The Sprinters best sales year would almost cover E-Series sales for a quarter. Sometimes I fear that the mission here is 'One Ford' at any cost.

 

Comeon, guys, this is like the Panther-platform threads all over again. The Transit is no joke. It was designed in the USA, comes with a variety of engine and body choices, can he had in Front, and Rear-drive (with AWD rumored for the next-gen) and they've sold 6 million of the things in Europe. If they had announced an all-new E-series with half that people would be hailing it as a great move.

 

Transit was designed in the USA?

I don't think Transit is a bad van, I just think its all wrong for the USA. Econoline has been in a production since 1961 and everybody knows it. This is like when Dodge tried replacing Ram Wagon with a Sprinter - it failed.

I doubt we'll get all different versions that Europe has. We will most likely get RWD only with one EcoBoost V6 and a V8.

I just think the design is too Euro for the USA market.

 

By the way, has anyone seen those new Nissan vans (NV)? Good Lord they're ugly.

 

I saw one of those come by my house the other day and I was trying to figure out WTF it was. I knew the front looked like a Nissan, but had never seen anything like it before.

 

All I can say is that if this van's a rockin' don't come a knockin'!