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Ford Brings Versatile, Compact Transit Connect to North America

Posted February 6, 2008 at 10:16 am Make a Comment

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Ford is drawing on its success in Europe to introduce innovative, fuel-efficient alternatives to full sized vans to the North American market. Transit Connect is designed, engineered, and manufactured by Ford of Europe and was named International Van of the Year when it first launched in 2003. Transit Connect makes its North American debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

“Ford Transit Connect is built on a dedicated, commercial vehicle platform to meet the rigors business use demands,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “The Transit Connect is yet another way Ford can deliver the flexibility and durability that many small businesses are looking for in a compact, fuel-efficient package.”

With its standard, 2.0L four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission powerpack Transit Connect will deliver excellent fuel economy, estimated at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. This could represent a savings in fuel of more than 40 percent compared with a full-size van. In addition to its obvious commercial applications, the Transit Connect is so flexible that it makes an ideal personal-use vehicle with potential seating for five people.

“It drives like a car, works like a van and is engineered to be as tough as a truck,” said Rob Stevens, Chief Engineer of Ford Transit Connect in the U.S.

Related Links:

Visit the Transit Connect website
Check out Ford Work Solutions

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49 COMMENTS ABOUT Ford Brings Versatile, Compact Transit Connect to North America Make a Comment

ROman says (May 15, 2008 at 11:59 am):

I love the vehicle, but the only way I would buy it is if it had the diesel engine. If I'm supposed to buy a 2.0 liter engine, than I'm better off buying a used Honda Odyssey for about $5000 and get the same mileage, and it'll run for about 350,000 miles. The only way that this vehicle will be a major hit, is if it's a diesel!!! Come on Ford do what makes sense !! This is a way for you to get a major cut of the market!!!!! The ball is in your hands!!!!

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Debra Massey says (May 14, 2008 at 4:41 am):

I've been looking at vehicles like this available in europe a lot lately and just can't understand why we couldn't have it sold here in the states SOONER THAN IS PLANNED. The only thing I have against it is the size of the engine. For CITY driving it's fine and probably what it is perfect for, but turnpike driving fully loaded, I wonder if 2.0 is enough to handle it and not get blown off the road? I guess that's the trade off to get this vehicle in any way shape or form. Was also kind of expecting MORE MILES PER GALLON on something this small too. But I'd still be anxious to see one IN PERSON and would be interested to know it's price and release date. I WILL WAIT UP TO A YEAR and then I will have to buy something else..... I spent today looking at a Dodge Grand Caravan 2008, but just feel it's too big.....and too many windows. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. A U.S. RELEASE of this type of micro CARGO van! HURRY UP AND GET IT OUT ALREADY! THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE DYING FOR A VEHICLE LIKE THIS! You are going in the right direction! GET IT ON THE MARKET SOON!!!! :) Debra Massey

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Paul says (May 4, 2008 at 11:22 pm):

I am really interested in this vehicle. Sorry, but 24 mpg (probably 21 average like the Ranger is too low). The diesel in Europe is a hit. For me here in the US...No diesel...no sale! I am a dedicated previous Ford Ranger owner who uses Scion xB as small van.

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Jean G. Auguste says (April 25, 2008 at 2:52 am):

I Love it!!!!!!!!! I would love it even more if it becomes the new postal vehicles. I just wish Ford would push it to the Postal Service. I am truely in love with the slide out trays in the back, would help in reducing back pains from lifting and shifting heay trays. Awesome product, I would even purchase the Transit sport van. Thanks for bringing it over here, it is something that might put you over the top, something that would make the others mimick you in your success.

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Lynn Crossman says (April 22, 2008 at 5:50 pm):

With the price of diesel now don't waste your time bringing one into the marketplace, unless you get GREAT mileage. Does it come with seats or just cargo?What a good looking vehicle, great for courier work.This will give the Dodge Sprinter some competitionToo bad our ford dealer sucks!!!!!

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Laura says (April 21, 2008 at 10:07 am):

Just saw this at the auto show

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Alvin Hull says (April 15, 2008 at 2:53 pm):

When will this Ford Transit van be available to buy in the usa, northeast region? Thankyou. A Hull

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C. Pratt says (April 11, 2008 at 9:12 am):

There's one on the road in Ohio being tested by NCR. I had a chance to check it out on Sunday. May be a good option for our field service techs. EMSAR is a Biomedical Equipment ISO. The one I saw was a 5 speed diesel. Too bad you won't be offering it.

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Fred Ball says (March 31, 2008 at 2:31 pm):

I'm thinking of purchasing a Ford Transit Connect for recreational purposes. I'm planning on using the roof-mounted ladder rack to hold my kayaks and putting mountain two bikes inside. Will a two ladder version of the roof rack be offered???

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George Dean says (March 26, 2008 at 10:46 pm):

Please consider delivery of a Diesel "Series" Hybrid and/or plain turbo-diesel engine, as bin 5 diesel engine standards are attainable and on the drawing boards of you competion.....shall we say Honda and VW just to name 2, however if you don't inovate your small car/truck line further I guess you stock price deserves to stay at record all time levels!!!....as this is nothing that you have not done overseas, with the Perkins based diesel engine before!

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Shelly Smith says (March 14, 2008 at 3:13 pm):

Hello,

Thank you to everyone for sharing your feedback on the Transit Connect and I’d like to answer a few of the questions that I can. The Transit Connect will go on sale through your local Ford dealer in the first quarter of 2009; however due to the import nature of this program, the actual units will not be in the U.S. to take delivery until the summer of 2009. It will also be available in Canada around the same time. At this time, we do not have plans to offer a diesel engine for this vehicle. Regarding the question about whether any businesses or media have had a chance to drive this vehicle yet, they have not at this time.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and questions with us.

Shelly Smith
Marketing Manager
Ford Motor Company

bigjon says (April 18, 2008 at 11:36 pm):

I'm very excited about this vehicle as a small business remodelling carpentry contractor. I like the straightness of the sidewalls for adapting to shelving. However I'd also like to see a lower cieling height model to accomodate a ground access rooftop rack as on my current Astro van. I can easily load and carry 16ft boards [even 20ft in a pinch] on top of the vehicle. Also what's up with the 6.5ft inside length? Ever heard of a 4x8 sheet of plywood????? I mean come on, even my ext Astro van got that wrong by 2.5 inches. Don't any of you engineers live in the real world? Also we all want diesel

Bostonjosh says (April 6, 2008 at 12:35 pm):

Great vehicle; it represents precisely the sort of creative thinking the U.S. auto industry needs to remaincompetitive. I'm looking forward to using the Transit Connect recreationally, as a mini-camper, with my kayak on the roof-rack. One question; aside from the "Express" version (which is a bit "racier" than I'd need), would the van be available with an optional manual transmission, to help stretch gas mileage? Thanks again for bringing Americans a great vehicle.

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Kelsey Durkin says (March 11, 2008 at 6:04 pm):

Have any businesses or media in California driven this?

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marwan saad says (March 11, 2008 at 7:38 am):

when this one will be in the market hope this year

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Andrew White says (March 9, 2008 at 10:56 pm):

I've seen these in Europe before and wondered why Ford didn't bring them to the US. Glad to see it's finally arrived, however, I'm extremely disappointed that it's not available with the same diesel that's available everywhere else. What's the deal with the rest of the world enjoying the benefits of diesel power and the US isn't? Is it yet another way the oil companies are controlling things? You bet it is.

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Sara says (March 8, 2008 at 9:15 am):

WHEN will the DIESEL or HYBRID be ready....I NEED 2

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AJL says (March 7, 2008 at 8:12 am):

I used to work an independent contractor for a courier service. The Transit would have been a great vehicle for the type of work I did and many others do. Be sure to bring the turbo-diesel version. 19 mpg in the city is good, but 25 or 30 mpg city would be better.

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frank says (March 4, 2008 at 7:44 am):

come on FORD give us back r small diesels!! U have it in Brasel, Europe why not here?? Had a 4dr Mercury Tempo back in the eighties w/ diesel got 50 mpg! Sold it why did I di that now own 3 x 7.3's pick up's burn my own fuel give AMERICA back a small diesel put it in this great small VAN

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Bill Aronec says (March 3, 2008 at 1:57 pm):

One area which Ford could market the Transit towards is adapting the vehicle for wheelchair accessibility. The flat floor and headroom make this vehicle a natural for those families which have a member in a wheelchair and want to be able to procure a vehicle which doesnt break the bank! Several companies in Europe seem to have modified Transits for this purpose and it would seem to be a logical if niche for Ford to aggressively pursue.

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