Ford; retire the E-van, build the Transit

limeymike · Jan 31, 2011

It is about time Ford started building the Transit for US market. I mean the full size van and not the little courier model they currently sell. I know the E-series is very durable but these new vans would kick the sprinters off the road. My 2c.

Ford Transit - Synonymous with van usage across the world - Ford UK

greg334 · Jan 31, 2011

Well I don't know, I have nothing about Ford dropping the E-series going into 2015 (seeing it still outsells GM and all the other vans and it is still a mainstay), they are still talking about a 2013 debut for the transit but they were supposed to market it back in 2006.

Where did you hear this?

limeymike · Jan 31, 2011

The local Ford dealer told me the 2014 year model, for sale summer 2013 with the E series still in the line up. But no details on configurations, engines etc. On my last trip to europe I visited a ford dealer to look at the vans and I was impressed with what I saw. The E-series looks really dated by comparison.

greg334 · Jan 31, 2011

Well according to the dealers in the past, they were supposed to retire the Mustang too. The 2014 date seems to be the "date" but they have yet to determine what the drive train is going to be, it may not be a diesel but rather the v6 gasser. This has been a ping pong subject, but the E-series will eventually be retired, it is a matter of time and marketing needs. However the connect is doing well but they have been warned that the connect may hurt the big brother's sales for the US market.

BillChaffey · Jan 31, 2011

I have no idea of how many are here in the States. But last October passing through Indianapolis a flat bed went by me with three of the Sprinter types Fords on board. Two were Navy Blue and the other Battleship grey.

limeymike · Jan 31, 2011

I see lots of the Transit Connect vans (small) but I am talking about the full size Transit that Ford has in Europe. Click on the link on my post at the beginning of this thread.

Moot · Jan 31, 2011

Nice van! The specs were somewhat difficult to discern in the posted link. Doing some converting the cargo area length is 133.8" (3399 mm). I could not find an inside width. The payload for the long wheelbase high top was 2905 pounds (1318 kg) Take a 200 pound driver, E-track, a couple of batteries, plywood floor, insulation and other amenities and you are looking at a realistic payload of about 2200 pounds or less. I think the manual 6 speed transmission is a great idea!