Europe can keep them...

Is this what Ford used the 5.9 billion dollars they borrowed from the government for? It looks like their vans are a spinoff of the Mercedes van. It looks like Ford wants to copy the european look which has no style at all. Nothing rugged about this van at all. They will haul flowers for a flower shop but nothing with any weight. What a waste of tax payer's money. I just hope they sell enough of these ugle critters to pay back the government.

OMGWTF?!?!?! Something different! It even gets decent mileage! HERESY! Get the pitchforks and torches!!!

I think we are starting to see the fall of Ford. They killed off the Ranger. They killed off the Crown Vic ,and soon the E Series. They are killing off all their good cars/vans/trucks, and replace them with ugly eruo stuff. I don't know if you guys read what the next Gen Mustang is going to be, but you Ford guys won't like that change either. If what they are saying is true, cause it sure won't look american or very pony car like if you ask me. Top it all off with all the recalls they been haveing top 3 for 2011, and this year isn't looking must better for them. http://www.torquenews.com/1084/new-2015-ford-mustang-styling-already-behind-recent-trends

Wow, lots of haters on here today. The Transit Connect is everywhere now, after people said it would never sell. The new design will sell even better.
And the new Transit, a complete upgrade from top to bottom compared to the decades old E Series. Most companies want a truck/van that is functional, and these fit the bill. They are also both much better looking than previous Transit styles. I'm looking forward to some tough test reviews of the full size Transit.

Bring on the fear of change, bring on the demands for the old ways. Reading the comments here on pickuptrucks.com is mostly for amusement.

I want to think my plumber isn't having to charge me extra just to cover gas because he wants a "cool" looking van (whatever that could possibly be).

Ford didn't borrow money for the development of new vans. If I recall, it was money made available for hybrid and other useless garbage development. Some people shouldn't be confusing bailout money with loans made available for development of new technologies. Besides, Ford is more likely to be able to pay them back than GM.

As far as the vans themselves, I could care less how they really look, it's whether or not they do their job reliably and more efficiently that matters. Ford has used their Euro platforms for years with proven results. Sooner or later you're going to see that all vans will likely be using a Euro platform as their base -- get used to it.
Let's face it, in today's economy it's no longer smart business to have half a gazillion different platforms for each market, especially when one will do fine with minor tweaks.

More photos of the new vans here: http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transit/2014/

Its amazing how Greg could tell what the under carriage and suspension is like form one photo. Well done there. These are actually tough trucks, meant for working...not looking pretty. They'll fill that bill nicely. And they don't lok too bad either!

For those who think ford are copying the mercedes sprinter. The Transit was first designed in the 60's in the UK. It was designed to drive like a car but the rear could hold 8 x 4 sheets flat. The resulting van was so radical and good that everyone used one. Most trucking companies in european started with a transit, this van was also fast so fast that criminals used them as getaway vehicles, the police used them to keep up.

Over the resulting years there has always been a transit, they are as much a part of european culture as the pickup is to americans. All other european vans have copied the transit, the best known over here is the sprinter van, sprinters came out in the 90's and are also very good. The difference maker for MB is that the sprinter is available in much longer wheelbase versions then any other available van.

My source of information, I am an ex pat brit, I grew up with these vehicles.

However this transit is one of the ugliest I have ever seen. The face looks real bad like someone hit it with a brick wall.

It might take a little while for the Transit to sell in America due to people not really ready to trust a new van, but i think it will catch on eventually. Better fuel economy, better power, better payload and better stability should win out. Its also getting a diesel which should get lots of attention. As far as the connect goes i've already seen tons of them around so this update should really kick sales into high gear.

i was talking to a few HVAC guys that are using the Sprinter vans and they are not happy with them seem to have a lot of engine problems, but the love the vans and the set up they can get, both guys said if this Ford van is reliable they will be switching, but we all know Ford does have engine problems

@ fear the voices,

Ford got billions to bring over small vehicles from Europe,not only money for hybrids or electric cars Fiesta is one,Transit Connect is the other and I bet this Transit as well as it sounds better to green lefty enviro feds a full size van with a 4 cyl or 6cyl no v-8 !

Remember all new Fords besides the Mustang and F series trucks are European cars,Fusion,Focus,Fiesta all import..Lincolns cars all imports..Taurus is a Volvo..Ford is hurting for cash so they save money by bringing in old retreads from europe..hey its new in America,Ford thinks we are stupid and think these are new..These vehicles have been running around for years in Europe ! The transit isnt a 100% new van it is a retread old Euro-Turd with new lipstick ! Ford..RIP !!

I find it hilarious how the Ford fan girls in here bash GM for using global Opel platforms on Buicks, etc. Well, well, well....ISN'T THAT WHAT FORD IS DOING HERE?? This van is so FRIGGEN UGLY that it needs to be run off a cliff. I guess since Ford has decided to use global platforms that makes perfect business sense to most of you goobers. Keep drinking the Ford Kool-Aid people. That is what they want you to do. They want you to believe that they are a spotless 100% American company that loves us all puts us all first.
BTW, Ford fans, anyone seen the latest recall on the lovely new Escape?? How many is that now?? THREE?? LMAO!!

Vans aren't really my thing to comment on but I've never been much into the Euro look Sprinter vans. I'm not much into these either but I suppose it's the wave of the future. I can see where it might be more functional. That little yellow/gold one looks kind of sporty. I see those smaller ones running around now for a local flower delivering company. I always wondered why Chevy killed off the Astro van as it's the only small van so many contractors still use. Maybe these smaller Ford's become the new Astro? The big van will have to grow on me I think. I'm not in the van market though so it's not like it matters much.

@ Mike Levine,
When will the "people mover" version come out? What about the 4x4 version. I'm actually looking at one of these for my next vehicle. Load up the crew/family and have protected cargo/tools. Most of the tall stuff goes on a flat bed anyways.

Who ever though another vehicle would come out that, in comparison, could make the Nissan NV look good?

On the flip side, as long as Ford prominently displays the "eco-boost" badge, the van will sell. Contractors who already drive ecoboost F-150's will jump at the chance to have a van that can also smoke the rear tires.

@Mike Levine, When will the 2013 F-150 build and price be up?

Ford is just copying the Sprinter here. Imitation is the best form of flattery!

GUTS
GLORY
FIRST OF ITS KIND
SPRINTER

GM for using global Opel platforms on Buicks

@Bob, with all due respect, a Ford is still a Ford. An Opel rebadged as a Buick is as "Old GM" as one could get. If they sold them as Opel's like they used to do nobody would say a word because an Opel is what they are. You can take a tour of the Opel factory. Where's the Buick factory at? Badge Central? That kind of badge engineering is sickening to me. It's just as sick when Ford did it too. I'm not letting them off the hook either. GM was by far the worst offender though and they still are. I never did understand taking one thing and sticking a bunch of different nameplates on it. It's just a horrible practice and terribly outdated if it ever was even in fashion. This is one thing I'm glad One Ford has actually learned. Either keep it real or kill it off.

With the demise of the Panther platform, the E series vans, and the Ranger all I can say is the times they are changing. However would the Transit be getting all this hate if they simply called it an E-Series? The current E-Series was born in 1992 and was then considered a huge leap forward, it was praised, it was a new body style. Why not just think of the Transit as the next gen E-Series and move on? It will probably be about 20 years before we get an "all new" van again. Global platforms are the way of the future and I think that all vehicles are going to morph into a place that wherever you go in the world the vehicles will all be almost the same. Its the only business case that makes sense for mass production. I'm not a huge fan of it but its a fact of life. Personally I'd like to see a little less govt regulation and involvement (read $$) and more innovation, the mythical 1/2 ton diesel pickup, more diesel cars of all sizes, and the entire Holden line up available here. Let the market and the buyers choose who and what vehicles survives not the government. I think a large number of Americans want and should be able to drive the Raptors, Camaro's, Mustangs, Chargers, Challengers, SS's and (GULP!) SUV's and that our leaders should respect that and do what they need to, to provide for that will of the people instead of trying regulate the joy of driving out of our lives. Ooops, got a little off track there but I don't think that I am alone. The bailout has happened and Ford took money too just renamed as grants and loans. No domestic automaker has survived without a government lifeline. I cannot change that but, why not let the automakers build what we want? I would love to see a GM answer to the Raptor but govt will never let that happen. I am excited about the SS, that is a car that I will consider buying but I want it with the full potential of the LS motor realized not a detuned grocery getter. Will it happen, I don't know. GM of late seems to hold back and always come up about two steps short of everyone else which seems to happen to everything that govt manages. The new GM trucks so far make me yawn! I hope that they pull them together before the big reveal and give me something compelling to make me replace my current truck.

if we have the f series pickup and the mustang, what are you guys mad about??? when it comes to commercial it's more about function than apperance. damn, you guys make it seem like you all are going to be driving these things as your only daily driver! furthermore the only thing that is of true importance anymore IMO, is american full size pickups and american sports cars (any american vehicle that is rear wheel drive with a V8 and can be used for fun). a commercial van is made for work, so why waste the V8 and worry about the looks!

GM for using global Opel platforms on Buicks

@Bob, with all due respect, a Ford is still a Ford. An Opel rebadged as a Buick is as "Old GM" as one could get. If they sold them as Opel's like they used to do nobody would say a word because an Opel is what they are. You can take a tour of the Opel factory. Where's the Buick factory at? Badge Central? That kind of badge engineering is sickening to me. It's just as sick when Ford did it too. I'm not letting them off the hook either. GM was by far the worst offender though and they still are. I never did understand taking one thing and sticking a bunch of different nameplates on it. It's just a horrible practice and terribly outdated if it ever was even in fashion. This is one thing I'm glad One Ford has actually learned. Either keep it real or kill it off.

Posted by: FordTrucks1 | Sep 6, 2012 10:06:30 AM

What about Lincoln??? Lincoln cars are REBADGED AND GUSSIED UP FORDS. A good percentage of Lexus models are REBADGED GUSSIED UP TOYOTAS. The same goes for NISSAN/INFINITY and HONDA/ACURA. They all practice badge engineering. Try again.......

Looks good! Much better than the current E-series and it's unnecessarily monstrous front end. I do wish they had some pictures of the low roof version though, as that's what we're used to seeing with the E-series in the U.S..

Also nice to see an extended wheelbase version of the Transit Connect. The current version is about a foot too short to fit a sheet of plywood/drywall inside. If the new one will fit a 4x8 sheet inside it's much more appealing to tradesman.

give me the old e-series any day over this pile of ugly european garbage. what works well there may not necessarily work well here. i don't like and never will like that sprinter van that dodge has. might have to shop the express van when i replace my two e-series in the next 2-3 years.

Is this what Ford used the 5.9 billion dollars they borrowed from the government for? It looks like their vans are a spinoff of the Mercedes van. It looks like Ford wants to copy the european look which has no style at all. Nothing rugged about this van at all. They will haul flowers for a flower shop but nothing with any weight. What a waste of tax payer's money. I just hope they sell enough of these ugle critters to pay back the government.

How do you know how much weight they can carry? In Europe you can haul real loads with small vans unlike Half ton trucks here, the 1980's VW van could carry over 1 ton! So did all those Japanese vans and small pickups.

The 5.0L should also be an option for half ton Transit, I think it looks great. Change is good, I wonder what engine options they have for 3/4 ton.

I agree with toycrusher84 the nissan looks great parked next to this bulldog. I am an HVAC tech and work in L.A. these vans are to high to park in under ground parking. The transit is to small for all my equipment and ladders. I hope G.M. does not scrap their vans their my only hope.

@ Frank

The Ecoboost V6 and small diesel aren't just for the half-ton van. The 3/4 ton and 1-ton vans will use the same engines.

@Hemi V8

They offer a low-roof version, which is the same height as an E-series. Unfortunately they never seem to show it in press photos.

Both looks great. Transit Connect has sold in high numbers last month. Finally the functional vans are coming here. Fiat is also going to launch few vans like this and Nissan is launching NV200. When CUVs were launched, everyone ignored them, now its the highest selling segment behind sedans.

These vans will help business carry lot more stuff safely and securely at a lesser cost compared to the Pickups which have the open cargo bed.

Bye bye to all Truck based vehicles with V8 engines like Crown Vic, E Series.

The 5.0L should also be an option for half ton Transit, I think it looks great. Change is good, I wonder what engine options they have for 3/4 ton.

Posted by: Frank | Sep 6, 2012 12:00:01 PM

Leave it to Frank to say this steaming pile looks good. LMAO
If it had anything other than a blue oval attached to the front grille it would be a complete joke to him. FRANK is the KING of the Ford Kool-Aid crowd.

@FordTrucks1 --I agree with you I am not a van expert and the looks would have to grow on me but I have seen a lot worse and with camoflage off of it it is not that bad. It looks better than the Nissan van. But most businesses are not as concerned about looks as capacity and this van appears to have capacity. I am sure that this van will also come in a less tall version for those concerned about getting in and out of parking garages.

@johnny doe-The Mustang redesign is nice but it will not fly with the younger generation. There are few Millenium generation are not going to buy this type of car and the Baby Boomers want the classic Mustang design. I could be wrong but most of the Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers are sold to Baby Boomers that either never had one of these cars and longed for one or that was the car that they wished they never sold or traded. Many of these guys have the money and they will pay for what they want. I remember a few years ago when the new Camaro came out. I was at the Chevy dealership having my S-10 serviced and they had 2 Camaros on display and both had V-6s and both were sold. There were two middle aged balding guys in front of me at the cashier window writing checks to pay for the order they placed for loaded Camaros with V-8s. I see a lot of these late model Mustangs, Camaros, and Challegers and most of the drivers are middle age guys. The classically styled Mustang is like a classic Harley Davidson if you took the Harley and redesigned it to look like a Ducatti or a Japanese Rice Racer the sales would go down. Best not to mess with the Mustang.

As for the Focus and the Fiesta these are more the types of cars that Milleniums would buy. If you look at the article on cars.com about the new European Fiesta which they will bring to NA that has the front end similiar to the new 2013 Fusion which is a real looker (that car will sell to Milleniums). I cannot speak for the country as a whole but I see a lot of older Civics, Corollas, Focuses, Cavaliers that have little funny wheels on them and that are customized (tricked out) with young male drivers. I also see a lot of older single cab S-10s, Rangers, Nissans, and Toyotas that have been customized as well with mostly Millenium age males driving them. With the exception of a few most Milleniums are going to go for compacts not flashy European designed sports cars.

The Ranger is gone and the Chinese are targeted to put a US assembly plant by 2015 to make compact trucks, suvs, and small cars. I changed my mind about the Ranger going away because I think if Ford decides to try another small truck it is better to work out a deal with Great Wall of China and rebadge one of their trucks as a Ford which would be less risky and less costly. This is what was done by the Big 3 in the 70s to meet the onslaught of compact trucks from Toyota and Datsun. GWC will already be assembling trucks in the US so there would be no Chicken Tax and it would be more efficient to use an existing assembly plant. I am not saying Ford should enter the small truck market again, I am just saying that if they decide to re-enter this segment this might be the best way to satisfy that market and not have to worry about the Global Ranger taking sales away from the F-150 which it probably would. Again I am not telling Ford what to do this is just food for thought and I am not privy to the operations of Ford.

It might not just be the KOOL AID. It could be the BBQ LOL.
This is the third recall of Ford's new Escape in less than 2 months, 2 of them related to problems causing fire. In July, the company recalled 11,500 Escapes for fixing fuel lines leak that can cause fires

Read more: http://community.nasdaq.com/News/2012-09/ford-escape-on-fire-again-analyst-blog.aspx?storyid=170664#ixzz25iK5hgA7

http://www.switchfires.com/

"More photos of the new vans here: http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transit/2014/"

Isn't there rules against spamming. Why hasn't this ad by a cheap ford flunky been removed.

Wow Jeff S,
your ramblings have lead to the proposition of partning Ford with a chinese mnanufacterer plant. Lately you've done a lot of whining about not enough availability of compact or mid size trucks and now you bring this up? Wow... no wonder more and more jobs are outsourced to china and outside the united states. It wasnt just the unions that drove out big business. Its the cut-throat consumer whose majority decision is the bottom line price.

For heavens sake, china is one of the last communist states. Wake up people, spend a little more and buy american. If we continue to search for the lowest prices, the transits are only the beginning.

As of now our GDP is higher than everybody else in the world but overall, China grosses more income than the U.S. due to sheer number of people, although they earn less per person, give them ten or twenty years and that will change.

The removal of once poignant icons like the ranger, e-series, and crown vic is a bad thing. Now look at the successors.

Have you wondered why and havent figured out yet as to the reasoning that manufacterers make engines in canada or in mexico but have the plant in the U.S. or why foreign car manufacterers are increasing their presence here while domestic manufacterers are slowly migrating outside?

This goes beyond cars and trucks. buy american or say goodbye to america.

Leave it to Michigan Bob to provide stupid, idiotic, and useless comments. Oh wait he is a TROLL.

Mike Levine, Thanks for the pictures.

Missing from the article is the info on the Transit Connect receiving the more modern 6 speed automatic transmission and the Eco-boost 1.6 liter or the normal aspirated 2.5 liter 4 cyl.

Leave it to Michigan Bob to provide stupid, idiotic, and useless comments. Oh wait he is a TROLL.

Posted by: Frank | Sep 6, 2012 1:26:35 PM

I have observed you provide little to NOTHING of any significance to this blog. Silly little two sentence cheerleader posts in favor of every Ford product is not contributing ANYTHING. I have YET to see you back up your statements with any real facts. I'll take a page out of your book of cutdowns: NICE TRY TROLL!!

@Michigan Bob

I don't know if you're a troll or not, but you definitely seem like you just enjoy starting arguments with people. Frank made a perfectly valid comment that didn't warrant a personal attack on your part.

This morning, the Warren Truck plant started production of the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup. The new version of the basic design launched in 2009 boasts a stronger frame, new electronics architecture, numerous comfort and convenience features, a more powerful V-6 that dominates gas mileage ratings for pickups (with an eight speed automatic), and a systemic approach to fuel efficiency. [Ram information - Warren Truck details]

I live here in europe and I love American classic car and truck design.I drive a 2011 silverado z71, a 1971 newport and a 78 buick regal
The problem is that the U.S. design that I love is disappearing. More and more bland Euro design. It's sad for an U.S. car lover.
It's ok for the eco engines but why all this Euro style in U.S.?

@Jeff S.
Agree, they could have done a much better job on the front end.

Now for the RV folks, the heavier Ecoline Vans underpinned some substantial Class C's. The Ecoboost 3.5 and small Duratorq engines are not going to be suitable as a replacement.
So is Ford abandoning the Class C RV segment?
@Scott, @Elsid, it is a European release not a NA one.
@Mark Wlliams thanks for the main article.

'I'm afraid of change. I finally convinced myself that the E-van isn't rediculous looking. Fuel economy is for pussies. Trucks from Europe are gay. Ford should engineer vehicle here.'
Ok, I'm ok with that last one, but all you whiners need to get over yourselves. These things have tons more room, just as much capacity and better fuel economy than the old E-van. Just to completely sour the deal, they have a great interior where you don't have to wedge your feet next to the engine. What t.h. good is that? Hopefully we'll get the 3.7 V6 as a value engine as well.
Correction: according to the press release, there will be RWD, AWD and FWD versions in Europe. The original post states RWD, AWD and 4WD.
I'm surprised to see that they're keeping the FWD version of the big van, rather than just offering the slightly smaller Transit Custom. Then again, nobody wants to give up any sales to the Ducato.

@Robert Ryan

According to previous articles, the E-series chassis cabs (cutaways) are sticking around for a while, even after we get the Transit. That should have the larger RV market covered for a while, at least until they bring out a T-450/T-550 series chassis.

@Paul810
It has been causing a bit of angst for the RVers. Sort of thing they would be missing is this:

"Any conventional class-C (non-super-C) in the 31' length is pretty much as long & heavy as they come. The big ones are typically constructed on an E450-V10 which is the most capable chassis for such an application"

Is this what Ford used the 5.9 billion dollars they borrowed from the government for? It looks like their vans are a spinoff of the Mercedes van. It looks like Ford wants to copy the european look which has no style at all. Nothing rugged about this van at all. They will haul flowers for a flower shop but nothing with any weight. What a waste of tax payer's money. I just hope they sell enough of these ugle critters to pay back the government.

@Greg, LOLOLOL!!!! Says the GOVERNMENT MOTORS Fanboi.... You dorks can't even give the American taxpayers all their money's worth of investment back and never will be able to either. ESPECIALLY Since most of your money is made off of Chevy Silverado sales and Dodge is stomping Chevrolet's ass daily now when it comes to trucks. #2 isn't all that far away for us now!! Not only that, what's more wasteful, getting all vans onto worldwide platforms like Ford and Dodge have or taking taxpayer money to keep 2 fricken UNNECESSARY lines of a damn truck. Ford doesn't need that, Dodge doesn't need that, Toyota doesn't need that, WHY does the Government need that?? Does Obama insist on keeping his BlingMobile Denali or something??? I Want MY Money Back for the extra costs associated with the GovtMoCo Sierra truck!! I actually feel SORRY for Chevrolet guys to be Lumped in with you Government Motors Morons. If I owned a Chevrolet I'd debadge Anything that said GM.

What about Lincoln??? Lincoln cars are REBADGED AND GUSSIED UP FORDS. A good percentage of Lexus models are REBADGED GUSSIED UP TOYOTAS. The same goes for NISSAN/INFINITY and HONDA/ACURA. They all practice badge engineering. Try again.......

@Bob- Lincoln doesn't get a pass either. I care not about Toyota but will say the same. Either Lincoln will get it together or die by their own stupidity. Now, a Lincoln car using a Ford platform is an entirely different story. Every base brand needs one luxury brand. Chevrolet-Cadillac, Toyota-Lexus, Lincoln-Ford. If they used the same base platform to create an entirely different product, fine by me. If they share sheet metal, designs, interiors and sometimes even engines yet just stick a different nameplate on them, that's where I have a problem. I would not buy nor support a Lincoln like that. I likewise thought it was disgusting when the Lincolnized F-150 was around. Like I said, I'm glad Ford pulled their head out of their behind. I'll give Ford full fire when I feel they deserve it.

Know your history...

Sprinter started in 1994.
Ford Transit since 1965.

The current Mercedes Sprinter is based on the Ford Transit VJX platform.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter