Wyatt the Odd  | 02 Sep 2009 5:46 p.m. PST |
It only took 50 years, but Ford finally decided to start selling their Ford "Transit Connect" in the US. picture This is the 7th generation of the vehicle and it is, to me at least, really the most obvious clue that one is in a European country as there hasn't been a comparable "panel van" type vehicle in some time. Of course, I also include the Citroen CV4 and other types in that "eurofeel." It is going up against the very popular Dodge (neé Mercedes) Sprinter picture and the Chevy HHR panel van picture for businesses that need more than a station wagon, but don't need a full van. The latter is mostly an attempt by GM to raise the average MPG of their truck fleet (by selling a car as a truck), but it does have potential picture The Transit was sold in Mexico since 2007. Wyatt |
 Doms Decals  | 02 Sep 2009 5:59 p.m. PST |
Bloody hell – I've always assumed the Transit was pretty much ubiquitous. Frankly I'm stunned to hear it's new to the USA; I know America likes its pick-up trucks, but still, I'd have thought there'd be a huge market for it…. |
| richarDISNEY | 02 Sep 2009 7:59 p.m. PST |
Interesting move. Why now?
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| jdginaz | 02 Sep 2009 8:04 p.m. PST |
Man those are ugly vehicles, I can understand why they haven't tried to sell them here. jdg |
| Whatisitgood4atwork | 02 Sep 2009 8:23 p.m. PST |
I see plenty of panel vans in US TV programs and movies. Mostly black, with the FBI sitting in them. Did Ford have an equivalent, more American-styled product previously? I'd be surprised if they totally ignored a market segment. And yes, these latest Transits seem uglier than usual. not that they were ever beauty queens. They are mostly delivery vans and mobile workshops for tradespeople. And hiding places for the FBI of course. |
| Wyatt the Odd | 02 Sep 2009 9:05 p.m. PST |
The "panel vans" you're referring to are what we just refer to as cargo vans. Ford, GM and Dodge all have full-size vans in their product line up – both cargo and passenger vans. Some of the larger ones can take 15 passengers. They also have cargo versions of their passenger mini-vans as well which seat 6-8 people. The Transit is about 3/4 the size of a mini-van. Wyatt |
 Gungnir  | 02 Sep 2009 9:59 p.m. PST |
15 passenger vans would not be popular in Europe, you'ld need a bus drivers license for them. 8 passengers plus driver is the max for a reular license. That small Transit came out a few years after the Renault Kangoo/Peugeot/Citroën models proved successfull, I drove the Kangoo for several years for my old boss. Better equiped than many sedans. |
| Whatisitgood4atwork | 02 Sep 2009 10:18 p.m. PST |
The Transit range comes in various sizes btw, right up to a 'maxi' van size, which is bigger than the one pictured and I would guess would be comparable to your mini vans. link Of course bigger trucks are available too. We'd probably call them delivery trucks. You can get Transits in passenger configuration, but most are used for deliveries and as mobile workshops for tradesmen: electricians, locksmiths, plumbers etc. Anyone who needs a lot of tools to do their job. |
| x42brown | 02 Sep 2009 10:33 p.m. PST |
I can remember a long time ago (mid 60s) the Metropolitan Chief Constable saying "The transit van has replaced the E type jaguar as vehicle of chose … as a getaway car by criminals". Another common use YouTube link x42 |
| Whatisitgood4atwork | 02 Sep 2009 11:12 p.m. PST |
LOL. Thanks for the link x42. |
| SpaceCudet | 03 Sep 2009 2:10 a.m. PST |
You can also get Transit Luton vans, very useful for moving house. link What do you call these in the US? |
| Doms Decals | 03 Sep 2009 3:17 a.m. PST |
Good point on crime; I seem to recall (probably from Top Gear….) that for a while 70 or 80 percent of armed robberies involved a Ford Transit…. |
| Cold Steel | 03 Sep 2009 4:35 a.m. PST |
SpaceCudet, we call those panel vans. The US has had vans of all sizes from mini-vans up to 80,000 lbs trucks. The Transit is actually smaller than almost eveerything on the market here. Traditionally, local deliveries are more efficient in largr full size vans. However, congestion and higher fuel costs are creating a niche market for more fuel efficiency at the cost of smaller payloads and more trips. And using parts from overseas factories to build the vehicle here had a lot to do with Ford's decision. |
| x42brown | 03 Sep 2009 4:56 a.m. PST |
On the side of law and order, the local police seem to be using the transit in greater and greater numbers. One combination liked by the beat officers is a transit with 3or4 officers and two push-bikes. This has been found to be to be ideal around some areas where there are a mass of connecting foot paths with foot bridges across lades, rail tracks etc. I have seen some bad lads getting quickly cornered by this combination where standard patrol cars would not have had a hope. x42 |
| Klebert L Hall | 03 Sep 2009 5:48 a.m. PST |
Ford, GM and Dodge all have full-size vans in their product line up – both cargo and passenger vans. Some of the larger ones can take 15 passengers. They also have cargo versions of their passenger mini-vans as well which seat 6-8 people. Nah, Dodge killed their van in '03, when the Sprinter came in. The Transit is a weird niche vehicle for the US, most of our cities don't have the tiny streets that necessitate them in Europe.
-Kle. |
| AndrewGPaul | 03 Sep 2009 6:36 a.m. PST |
That Transit Connect is a replacement for the Escort van, and is basically a US Ford Focus with a bigger rear section. According to the wiki page ( link ), the full-size Transit is basically similar to a Ford E-series van in the US. |
| Shagnasty | 03 Sep 2009 9:34 a.m. PST |
What is the MPG on these? We are looking for something to replace our rather unsatisfactory KIA Sedona. |
| Wyatt the Odd | 03 Sep 2009 10:40 a.m. PST |
Ford says that it's 21/25mpg. I could see the local florist or electrician using one of these in lieu of a pick-up. But, I can't see a lot of construction workers give up the pick-up even though this keeps their tools safer. Possibly UPS or FedEx would make use of these on some of their more isolated areas where driving a big (mostly empty) van wouldn't make sense. Our police department has a full-sized Chevy 4WD SUV and 4WD pick-up for the off-road areas around town – and I think they use them to transport the bicycle officers for events. Wyatt |
| AndrewGPaul | 03 Sep 2009 11:22 a.m. PST |
The UK model is 42 MPG (or 35 in US gallons). That's for a diesel engine, I think, so a US version running on petrol would be lower. |
| x42brown | 03 Sep 2009 11:37 a.m. PST |
Wyatt What I was describing was in town. The police here have good four wheel drive vehicles for countryside work but no way would they do the estate patrols I was taking about. Full-sized to US standards would be a disadvantage even on the estate roads far less foot paths and foot bridges. I think you have similar areas but possibly with more room it being a bigger country. I think the big thing with our building workers is dryer rather than safer with the tools and little bits. x42 |
| Connard Sage | 03 Sep 2009 2:47 p.m. PST |
*sigh* It looks like there's some misunderstanding (how unusual) about Trannys and Tranny Connects STOP!!! CLICK THIS!!! Ford Transit, has been a favourite of tradesmen and armed robbers for over 40 years picture Ford Transit Connect, the new kid on the block. Ford's approach to the small local delivery vehicle picture Notice the size difference? The OP was referring to the original Tranny Thank you, carry on arguing. |
| AndrewGPaul | 03 Sep 2009 4:25 p.m. PST |
No he's not. He's definitely talking about the smaller Transit Connect, there's even a picture of the thing. Everyone else is talking about the full-size Transit, except myself, Wyatt and Shagnasty. |
| Whatisitgood4atwork | 03 Sep 2009 6:22 p.m. PST |
Ahhh… a scale creep problem. I was thinking of the 'heroic scale' Transit. Sorry for the confusion. |
| Klebert L Hall | 04 Sep 2009 5:15 a.m. PST |
The UK model is 42 MPG (or 35 in US gallons). That's for a diesel engine, I think, so a US version running on petrol would be lower. The US and Europe also use different tests, and the US mileage results are always lower, even for the exact same vehicle.
-Kle. |
| Mardaddy | 04 Sep 2009 11:41 p.m. PST |
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| Last Hussar | 21 Sep 2009 6:34 p.m. PST |
Do they get the White Van Man over there now? |
