With most offerings in the segment consisting of large, fuel-chugging vans, Ford’s new economical Transit Connect commercial van was met with great success during its first month on the market. Ford announced this week it sold more than 2,000 units of the Transit Connect last month.
The Transit Connect tallied more than 2,000 sales in August, outpacing Ford’s original internal projections. The Transit Connect sold well to fleet buyers, but also racked up sales with small business owners that don’t necessarily need the room – or fuel bills – of Ford’s E-Series van.
The Ford Transit Connect achieves 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 23 mpg on regular gas.
The Transit Connect is currently built in Turkey, but production will shift to the United States in 2012. Ford is planning an all-electric version of the Transit Connect as well as a passenger version geared towards families, so expect the small van to post strong numbers for the foreseeable future.
09/01, 3:42 PM
posted by:
steve333
Another smart move for Ford.
09/01, 3:47 PM
posted by:
MarkKleis
Agreed. This little van is really a great vehicle for many small business options. I am keeping my eye on them for myself- would be perfect for mobile auto detailing. It’s amazingly cheap for what it offers, too.
09/01, 3:54 PM
posted by:
j-dubb
uuggh…who would want this ugly thing parked outside their business, they are probably just approving everybody who applies for a Ford moto credit loan, the same thing they been doing for years back to ther same ole tricks just to get headlines what a slick company they are, I would never trust a ford
09/01, 3:57 PM
posted by:
ChuckTown86
Way to go Ford. Next, kill off the gas hog E-series vans and make a long wheelbase version, but only if it can remain fuel sipping.
09/01, 4:01 PM
posted by:
superman
This little van from Turkey is great
09/01, 4:04 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Saw one in person the other day…..neat little commercial van. Very European (in a good way). I approve!
09/01, 4:04 PM
posted by:
ChuckTown86
-j-dubb: Since when did a work vehicle need to be attractive. It is meant to work not shrut down a catwalk.
09/01, 4:20 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Are they going to offer a passenger version? As we know Ford doesn’t currently play the minivan game. I’d love to see one of these with big, panoramic windows kind of like a mini bus. Probably not stylish enough for the current crop of soccer milfs unfortunately.
09/01, 4:33 PM
posted by:
frost
Actually Chucktown86, if they do kill off the E-series van, they could bring over the remaining 5 versions of the Transit line up, rather then making a small long wheel base version of the Transit Connect, not to mention the Transit line up can be configured any which way, more then the E Series ever could offer. I still think they should have offered the TCDi engine with the Transit connect as it’s very quiet on the road, and gets almost double MPG’s then the gas version they brought over.
09/01, 4:42 PM
posted by:
ChuckTown86
-forst: Thanks. You beat me to the punch. After posting I did some research and saw that there is a full line-up for the Transit. I guess Ford really knows what they are doing.
09/01, 4:57 PM
posted by:
Insensitive
We want a diesel version! Bring its full sized daddy aka Transit over in the diesel version. The E series diesel powered ambulances are a mechanical nightmare.
09/01, 4:58 PM
posted by:
MarkKleis
johnnycanuck- As of now, there is a 5 seat version available in the US. They essentially added a 3-seat bench behind the front two captain’s chairs.
09/01, 5:01 PM
posted by:
Borat
Johnny, I saw passenger version of it at NYC autoshow. Very good looking thingy. It was a cab version and looked quite comfy, like London cab as a cab version. And there was mini van (kind of) model. Not bad IMO. But you sit 5 220 lbs yanks in it and 2.0L with slash box will be struggling on a level field, never mind incline.
09/01, 5:05 PM
posted by:
andy
just dont loose the key
09/01, 5:11 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Borat, as you’ve been known to preach a diesel would certainly fix all that.
MarkKleis, you’re our ‘in’ guy with Ford. Is there any chance of a bigger mill in the future?
09/01, 5:19 PM
posted by:
MarkKleis
johnnycanuck- Heh, thanks. As for a larger engine, nothing official, but look for the Ecoboost 2.0L to potentially make its way into the Transit Connect as the TC shares the underpinnings with the Focus (Euro), and the US will be getting the Euro Focus next year, along with the Ecoboost 2.0L.
09/01, 8:52 PM
posted by:
mitzo
Welcome to the world, America.
09/01, 9:56 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Yeah I’ve already seen two of these yesterday and today.
09/02, 12:10 AM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
saw one the other day…. Nice addition to the line up. Ford is becoming a smart company, like they once were years back.
09/02, 1:08 AM
posted by:
j-dubb
when was ford ever smart KarLoveBoy88?? was it the 70s pinto era, or 80s with the tempos,escorts or how about the 90s with the explorer rollovers or how about present day when they recalled 11MILLION vehicles for fire hazards.You call that smart?? you better do your research buddy.
09/02, 12:23 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I would expect strong demand for the Ford Transit. There are an awful lot of quadriplegics and paraplegics out there….
09/02, 4:14 PM
posted by:
Fleetleaser
With Sprinter gone, well sort-of… Even with this being a smaller vehicle I believe they will see a another increase in sales. Until Fiat can release something in the U.S. in 2010 FMCs/Upfitters will have to switch…
09/02, 11:37 PM
posted by:
armstealer
i-dubb: BoyLover is talking about a company with history. There are years before 1970 you know…
09/03, 1:16 AM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
J-dubb they had very good models pre-90’s. Esp in the muscle age. They were car gurus. and armsteler, watch your ass. Get the name right fvck face. I love cars