The Auto Writer

Ford's latest entry into the commercial van sphere is the Transit Connect, a European design and built commercial van which will be unveiled later this week at the Chicago Auto Show.

A gloomy automotive forecast isn’t stopping the Ford Motor Company as it goes forward with its plans to release several new models throughout this year. Among them is the Ford Transit Connect, a compact commercial van Ford already builds and sells for various global markets. Ford plans to unveil the van at this week’s Chicago Auto Show; a $21,475 MSRP has been given to its latest vehicle.

The Transit Connect (TC) is strictly light duty when it comes to commercial applications, but should appeal to plumbers, electricians, and other service people who need decent interior room without the big engine that goes with it. The TC is powered by a Duratec 2.0L I4 dual-overhead cam (DOHC) engine paired with a four speed automatic overdrive transmission, offers 135 cubic feet of cargo space and provides 1600 lbs. of payload capacity.

Quoting Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas, “Transit Connect is a tangible success of our ‘One Ford’ strategy to harness the best of our global products and offer new choices and solutions to customers in other parts of the world. With 40 percent market share, Ford is the reigning Commercial Truck leader in the United States, and we’re looking for Transit Connect to further grow our leadership and allow even more customers to experience the ‘Built Ford Tough’ difference.”

First introduced in 2003, the TC is sold in 58 countries across four continents. 600,000 units have been built; the American version has been adapted for the local market to meet our unique needs (read: the stock engine was too small, hence the Duratec 2.0L motor).

With the TC, Ford says that no other vehicle in the American market can deliver its combination of capacity and fuel economy.  In addition the TC features:

• Split rear cargo doors open at a standard 180 degrees, or an optionally available 255 degrees.  When open, these doors provide access to 52.1 inches of available load height.
• Lift-over height is less than two feet, when the Transit Connect is unloaded
• Once inside, the cargo area opens up to 59.1 inches of floor to ceiling load height
• The load width is 47.8 inches, between the wheel arches
• Load length is a generous 72.6 inches or more than six feet of cargo floor space.   Dual sliding rear side doors provide wide access to the generous cargo space as well

According to Ford, the TC has more than double the cargo-carrying space of the Chevrolet HHR Panel, which would make it a better candidate for a wider range of commercial use applications. EPA fuel estimates aren’t official yet, but the TC should deliver 20 mpg city/24 mpg highway, a good improvement over its big E-Series vans which deliver 15-19 mpg.

Nissan also has plans to roll out a line of commercial vehicles for the U.S. market within the next year or two.

Source: Ford Motor Company