Ford’s new smaller commercial van, the Transit Connect, will begin arriving in dealers almost immediately, the automaker says. The Turkey-built van, which was initially designed for European users, is aimed at commercial users seeking something a little smaller and more efficient than traditional options available in North America.
The first Turkish-built Ford ever sold in North America, the Transit Connect will be available as either a cargo or passenger van with either glass side windows or steel privacy coverings.
Ford has invited Leftlane to preview the Transit Connect, so check back soon for our driving impressions of the new vehicle that the Michigan automaker hopes will reinvent the commercial industry.
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06/19, 3:05 PM
posted by:
TL
Another commercial van…
06/19, 3:06 PM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
I think this will be a welcome sight as a Taxi-Cab and small shop owners that need a little overhead space.
06/19, 3:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Do they get shipped in a box or would that be superfluous?
06/19, 3:43 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Turkey-built?
Does PETA approve of this, or are they still worrying about dead flies?
06/19, 4:13 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
This would make a handsome addition to the Special Olympics vanpool fleet.
06/19, 4:29 PM
posted by:
A4
This isnt the electric one, right?
06/19, 4:33 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
A4, I’m pretty sure it’s a 2.5l four banger under the hood.
06/19, 4:37 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Hey LLLN, don’t forget to try the ole Scandinavian flick! (Refer to the Top Gear episode reviewing commercial vans…)
06/19, 6:42 PM
posted by:
Borat
Is this the carrier to midnight express?
06/19, 7:04 PM
posted by:
The Realist
Why is it Ford can import this gas guzzling, underpowered, POS but they cannot…in any possible way…import the Mondeo or Focus ST?
06/19, 9:41 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
jc.. I think I’ve read that it has the 2-liter Duratec from the Focus underhood.
I am actually excited that Ford is bringing this here.. not necessarily because it’s the best vehicle.. but because it shows they’re finally willing to give the US some of their superior Euro product.
06/19, 11:53 PM
posted by:
olds307
“superior Euro product”
????
You mean, like the Focus, or the Contour (Mondeo), or the Fiesta???
All the Euro-trash Ford has brought over hear has all been CRAP.
06/19, 11:57 PM
posted by:
MarkKleis
^theRealist- The Transit Connect will actually be the most fuel efficient car for the small business niche segment, and also offer more space than its competition. It’s a fantastic vehicle with endless possibilities for the right buyers. As a small business owner (mobile auto detailing) I find the TC incredibly appealing.
The Mondeo is coming for the Fusion’s next remodel, and the Focus ST is a possibility (Euro focus comes in 2010 as a 2011 MY).
06/20, 7:46 AM
posted by:
cagdasist
FYI This van is exported to U.S and to most of Europe from Turkey. This van comes with Duratec 2.0 with a 4 speed auto in US. It would make more sense if it were to come with a diesel manual with an auto option like it does everywhere else but US. That’s how Ford wanted them to be for the US market. Ford will integrate their entire line up with the Euro Ford. There will be exceptions like Mustang of course but every single Ford you will buy 5-6 years down the road would be designed and/or engineered in Europe. Every plant in NA will be retooled to produce these cars to US specs. So, there you have it “olds307″. Euro Focus never made it here actually the Focus sold here was built in here with very sorry labor (fit and finish) and parts quality… And it also was once again tweaked to “US Spec”. Same story with the Mondeo and the Fiesta. ( I believe they were made in Mexico I maybe wrong though)
Borat; this is not the Midnight Express carrier, smuggling narcotics was still illegal last time I checked and no prison is a hotel by any means.
06/20, 9:50 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
Low volume. Niche vehicle for business and purpose uses only. No excitement here…no profit for Ford here. Just some more Ford business. The diesel would have been priced over the full sized Econoline van I heard with extremely low volumes (survey of commercial users). The 4 banger will sell well and give Ford some exposure to a market not been explored for Ford since the Aerostar. Not really a story for an “enthusiest” website…but news it is I guess. Whats Kenworth doing these days??? But it is really crazy how the “import laws” make Ford ship this van over here with the seats installed, then they remove the seats when it gets here to make it a cargo van. Then they ship the seats back to Turkey for another round trip. Someday the US government will get their head screwed on straight and see how much fuel, time and expense it takes to get around the massive tariff duties they impose on a product, and expect a company like Ford to be stupid and just pay it. Like Toyota did with Tacoma pickups…shipping them without the beds on them and producing the beds here. Global warming crowd needs to see how much fuel is used in getting around the tariffs….not smart, progressive thinking here.
06/21, 5:48 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
“All the Euro-trash Ford has brought over hear has all been CRAP”
olds, while your statement isn’t entirely untrue, the key word is “has”.. I was talking about the superior product (current Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, Ka, C-Max, Kuga etc..) that they HAVE YET to bring over hear.. err here.
06/22, 11:17 AM
posted by:
ricky_b
Zoomzoomer – AMEN to that. Ford has done a lot recently to clean up their American line up but it really peeves me that an American company has sportier looking and driving cars and wagons overseas than they do on their own home turf. Ford’s last Euro attempt was the Gen 1 Mondeo which we had as a Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique BUT they dummied the cars down mechanically to the point where they were a pale copy of the original (drove both Ford Contour and Mondeo in those days and Mondeo was clearly superior). If they want me to defect from the imports, we need cars that truly look and drive like the cool stuff the sell in Europe.