Ford sells Transits in America?

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Tornado

Tornado

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On the way to school this morning, I noticed a familiar-looking van being driven. Upon going past it, I noticed that it was an actual 2006+ Ford Transit, left hand drive and anything. Did I miss some announcement where Ford started putting these on sale? I know Mullaly said he wanted to bring them to America, but I don't remember them actually announcing them being for sale on lots and all that.
 
They started selling them this year. I have seen a few and think Ford made a good decision.
 
The website that Joey put in is pretty cool. :D I like the looks of the van and how people painted their graphics on it. :D It's cool lol.
 
in mexico they have been for sale for a couple years now... hey, Mexico is in north America (:
 
The Transit Connect isn't really a Transit though is it, it's a Focus van.
 
Jondot
Bit unfortunate that it's basically the same one that's been on sale since 2002, then.
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Well, it's new for the US market. Besides, most people here don't even know Ford sells different cars in other countries.
 
They've been selling them here for a bit now. They're on the front lot of my nearest dealership.

There's some crazy import law the US has against cargo vans or something. Ford imports the Transits with back seats and side windows, and then when it gets here they replace the body panels and take the rear seats out. Voila. Instant cargo van, and no ridiculous tarriffs paid.

My own and the article's use of the word "viola" is just a coincidence.
 
Keef
They've been selling them here for a bit now. They're on the front lot of my nearest dealership.

There's some crazy import law the US has against cargo vans or something. Ford imports the Transits with back seats and side windows, and then when it gets here they replace the body panels and take the rear seats out. Voila. Instant cargo van, and no ridiculous tarriffs paid.
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This explains the situation a bit more:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-all-ford-transit-connects-arrive-in-u-s-with-full-inter/
 
Our local dealers have them and I've seen a couple on the road. I like them. :D
 
I'd buy one to drop on its guts with a nice set of wheels under it if they made it available with a stick >_>
 
Dude, there totally was a big thread in the Auto News section. Chicago 2008: Ford Transit Connect Crossing the Pond!

They've actually sold quite a few here in Grand Rapids thus far. Last time I was at Fox Ford talking to the salesman about Fiestas and the new SHO, he showed off a couple he had on the lot. Some of them were really stripped down, others had a lot of neat technology in there. There is actually a pretty sweet LCD SatNav option that lets you connect wierelessly to the internet (using Sprint's EV-DO Rev-A network) to do work on the road, fill out orders, get directions, and other stuff. He said they've got a tool tracker thing that they offer as well that detects whats being taken in and out of the truck so you don't forget the drill at a project. How cool is that?

Better yet, they're pretty cheap. The fuel economy isn't bad either. And, I hear they're pretty tough little trucks (can we call them that?). I wish they'd sell them with a stick (slushbox only in 'Merica), and better yet, with a backseat. Where the HHR Panel totally failed, the Transit Connect succeeds. It can actually, ya know, DO WORK! (SON!).
 
I think Hope College has one. I've seen it around a few times. But it might also be one of the companies that deliver here. Bringing them here was a very good idea. I'm sure there are plenty of businesses with use for something like this. Whether they'll work or not remains to be seen. I think they will.
 
Probably not. Germany would have to change their policies if we're going to change ours. That isn't likely to happen.
 
They really should have brought that car here with the option of a diesel engine and a 5 speed manual transmission.

If they had half a brain, they would also have wagon versions available, because a diesel would make an excellent taxi. Especially with the Crown Vic going out of production.
 
neanderthal
They really should have brought that car here with the option of a diesel engine and a 5 speed manual transmission.
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Most delivery vehicles in the US are going towards automatic transmissions, I think they wanted to cater to as many people as they could to see if the thing would sell here. If there is enough of a demand I'm sure Ford will offer it.

As for the diesel, people in the states are afraid of diesels for whatever reason. Plus it many not be emissions compliant in all 50 states. But once again, you might see one turn up eventually.

neanderthal
If they had half a brain, they would also have wagon versions available, because a diesel would make an excellent taxi. Especially with the Crown Vic going out of production.
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They do have a brain though because you can get a wagon version of the Transit Connect. It has seating for 5 and a sliding side door. At the NY Auto Show last year they even showed it as a taxi:

transitconnecttaxi_offlo_01.jpg
 
Rotary Junkie
I'd buy one to drop on its guts with a nice set of wheels under it if they made it available with a stick >_>
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This one'll be right up your street then:

ford_transit_connect_x-press_3.JPG

ford_transit_connect_x-press_1.JPG


Transit Connect X-Press. A one-off show car they made with the innards of the Mk1 Focus RS. That's 215bhp, a manual box and a slippy diff to you and me. It's been on 5th Gear before too:



It's a pity you guys won't be getting the diesel version though (which also has a manual box). Another example of the States' diesel-phobia.
 
neanderthal
They really should have brought that car here with the option of a diesel engine and a 5 speed manual transmission.
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I agree with the bit about the transmission and the diesel, but we're still rolling on an MKI Focus chassis, using a lot of the old Focus bits and pieces. Its meant to be a tough truck, and I believe Ford equipped it as such in order to keep the solid reliability and dependability scores.
 
Joey D
Most delivery vehicles in the US are going towards automatic transmissions, I think they wanted to cater to as many people as they could to see if the thing would sell here. If there is enough of a demand I'm sure Ford will offer it.
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I didn't mean exclusively. I meant they should have been available. I know people who also want simplicity and would want this car to go weekend motorcycling

As for the diesel, people in the states are afraid of diesels for whatever reason. Plus it many not be emissions compliant in all 50 states. But once again, you might see one turn up eventually.
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People are not as afraid of diesels as they once were. VW is selling out of all the diesels they can make and there is a premium on the older Benz, VW and even BMW diesels in the classifieds. The fuel price spark in the recent past fuelled that. I see it as Ford choosing to be the follower, and not the leader. They sell diesels in Europe that meet Euro IV and V regs. How hard is it to adapt them to meet the US regs? It's probably a software tweak.

They do have a brain though because you can get a wagon version of the Transit Connect. It has seating for 5 and a sliding side door. At the NY Auto Show last year they even showed it as a taxi:

transitconnecttaxi_offlo_01.jpg
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Incorrect. That was concept car.
Ford hasn't really tried to market it as a taxi yet. They need to put a diesel engine and the hybrid motor and market it as a taxi. They'd get great fuel economy and market cred for the low emissions city running.

YSSMAN
I agree with the bit about the transmission and the diesel, but we're still rolling on an MKI Focus chassis, using a lot of the old Focus bits and pieces. Its meant to be a tough truck, and I believe Ford equipped it as such in order to keep the solid reliability and dependability scores.
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Ford Focus is sold in Europe with the diesel engine.
Tough? Gas engine vs diesel? Tough? Reliability? Dependability?

I'll take the diesel for tough, dependable and reliable anyday.
 
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Yes, the taxi version was a "concept" but you can still purchase a 5 seat Transit Connect in America.
 
I've seen a bunch on dealer lots but yet to see one on the road.

Seems like a useful vehicle for small businesses. Can't help but wonder if Ford brought it over here just to get it classified by the EPA as a truck, and boost up their CAFE rating.
 
I won' be seeing the new stuff like transplanted transits till I get back on the road again on a regular basis. as long as nobody says the word "wagon" they should be fine. i think they'd sell like hotcakes, though, if they dug up the "aerostar" name again (scary though).
 
Sat in a Transit connect at the auto show. Ugh... Smelled like someone changed their baby's diaper in it. At least it's a lot better than the normal fleet vans.
 

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