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Transit Connect Taxi Concept: Stylish Update to Taxi Fleet

Posted March 19, 2008 at 10:15 pm Make a Comment

: Transit Connect Taxi Concept

At the 2008 New York International Auto Show, Ford added to their Transit Connect lineup with a concept car familiar to the New York Cityscape: the taxi. Transit Connect Taxi Concept is “a potential game-changer,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “We’re interested to see how people react.”

With its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, Transit Connect delivers estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city – a more than 30 percent improvement in fuel economy than many of today’s traditional taxis. With 6.5-inches of ground clearance, passengers step through the sliding doors and into the cab instead of sliding into the back seat. With the flat panel “taxi bubble,” passengers will know which cabs are occupied: green if available, orange if occupied.

The Taxi concept also features an infotainment and navigation system that shows passengers their accumulating cab fare; and a scrolling news, weather, sports score and stock ticker. Using the 13-inch diagonal touch screen, passengers can select video and music channels, follow the taxi’s journey on a map or scroll through a list of points of interest along the route and offers payment options: credit, cash, or debit. For the driver, it features customized versions of Ford Work Solutions and Garmin navigation.

Jim Farley, group vice president of Marketing and Communications for Ford, thinks that this concept is another step forward in Ford’s global strategy. “Transit Connect is designed and sold in Europe, built in Turkey, and will soon be available in the United States. This is the future of Ford: reducing emissions, helping the environment, leveraging our assets as a global company.”

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14 COMMENTS ABOUT Transit Connect Taxi Concept: Stylish Update to Taxi Fleet Make a Comment

Brockway says (April 23, 2008 at 9:25 am):

Ford - You ABSOLUTELY must bring over the diesel version! It gets WAY better mileage than the gas version and diesels tend to have a longer life. I hope that Ford gets the message. This seems like a very good vehicle choice for a lot of people, but it could be a GREAT choice with the diesel. I hope that this is the start of Ford bringing over other European models. The full size Transit would be great, along with the European Focus (The US Focus is a disgrace compared t that one), and the SMax van. All with the diesel engines. JUST BRING THEM OVER! Most of these vehicles get over 40mpg with the diesel. We need that TODAY, not several years from now. If Vokswagen and other companies can bring over their diesels, why not Ford?

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Tina L. HUtchinson says (April 19, 2008 at 9:12 am):

The TAXI concept car is a pretty interestig idea, I defintly liked it much better in comparison to the Standard Taxi that was introduced recently. As a manager in the taxi buisness and the high cost of fuel, the 19mpg, with all the stop and go, that a taxi endures in a typical shift is very good!!! I just wonder how well the four-cylinder engine will live up to the Crown Vics

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Gar says (April 15, 2008 at 4:51 pm):

Transit Connect with a flex fuel engine based on Ecoboost, and a clean diesel optional, would sell like the 64 Mustang!

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Harvey says (April 8, 2008 at 11:51 am):

I currently own a 2006 F-150 with a camper top installed and truly love this vehicle--it suits my outdoor lifestyle (biking/kayaking/camping) almost perfectly -- sans the gas mileage---which isnt totally bad but...........with gas prices inevitably headed to 4 or 5 dollars a gallon---this vehicle is officially obsolete and I cannot do anything about it. So as soon as the Transit Connect goes on sale I am purchasing one. It will have a huge following with the outdoor crowd. We continually strive to find the "perfect vehicle"......only to find it doesnt exist. There is always an achilles heel for every vehicle---something that is not exactly right---whether its gas mileage--reliability--storage capacity--sleep in ability..etc....there is always one missing factor to the equation. Well I think this vehicle will be as close to perfect as I have found. The current favorite or standard favorite of the outdoor crowd is the VW van---namely camper version. However---they are insanely overpriced for even the most worn out ones that you can find...plus they are the poster child for unreliable service---I know I have had 2 and neither one was worth a dime...but I did sell them for more than they were worth!!! Anyway--long story longer.........I will be purchasing this vehicle as soon as it hits the market here in the US. I dont want to get rid of my F150 but I absolutely have no choice---Ford must realize that rising fuel prices will never support the vehicles of the old days (ie--now!) They must go for a total 180 degree shift and get on the fuel savings bandwagon or they perish in the annals of history. I love Ford--and I hope they will realize the market right now is wide open---just as it was when the built the Taurus and the Explorer---this is their opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. Just stop letting the automotive magazines dictate design and power specifications for Pete's Sake!! Those idiots have ruined the car industry in America!!!!!!!!

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krister says (April 7, 2008 at 3:27 am):

i love ford and its very great car. put little bit more in the car

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NorthYork says (April 2, 2008 at 8:50 pm):

Bring it with Clean Diesel to Canada!!! Ford has great diesel engines in Europe, is time to use them in North America :)

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diana says (April 2, 2008 at 9:39 am):

the desing is very ugly

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Brianm0122 says (April 1, 2008 at 10:50 am):

Put the hybrid drive in it and it's a winner.

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Vincenzo Delle Donne says (March 27, 2008 at 10:05 pm):

finally some in car truck industry is tacking a step to show people here in america that not every time large or very big is the best ,great job ford hope to see this vehicle soon in your dealers

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Rafa says (March 25, 2008 at 7:54 pm):

The Transit Connect taxi is a great idea and should be brought New York as soon as possible. Good job, Ford.

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Mike says (March 25, 2008 at 2:33 pm):

This is a great idea.

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Chris says (March 25, 2008 at 1:12 pm):

Bring on the clean diesel!

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Tyler says (March 24, 2008 at 9:31 pm):

Absolutely wonderful! This should do great in New York and cities like it. Can't wait to see it on the road!

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elfoxman says (March 21, 2008 at 2:43 pm):

quite simply...BRING IT TO THE STATES...WE NEED IT!

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