Small European Ford van to come to US

[Spule 4]

Interesting.....

http://english.sabah.com.tr/179B7C55...5BCC0700C.html

Tech details here, from "what car?" in UK:

http://www.whatvan.co.uk/voy_r.asp?m...nsit%20Connect

[kickflipjr]

No way. That this would not sell good at all in america (well, that is what i think).

[omgwtfbyobbq]

I'd rock it. I bet it'll do 45mpg@55mph with the CC on.

[Spule 4]

The rumor was Ford and GM were to bring over Euro vans at the time of the Sprinter, but due to $ exchange, that did not happen.

Actually, another speculation is, Ford could make a killing in niche markets, such as a "Ford Escort" sized van. The other rumbling is the importation of a small under 2.0 truck or "Bakkie". That is the big void here in the States, when even the smallest of pick ups are huge now.

http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?...icleId=3233538

[Spule 4]

Originally Posted by kickflipjr

No way. That this would not sell good at all in america (well, that is what i think).

OK, why, sheer size? I see the autoparts, floral, postal, telecom, IT and even chinese takeaway markets snapping something like this up.

But, there will still be crew cab F350s that have a shovel and a bag of sand in the back here in America.

[rh77]

Originally Posted by Spule 4

OK, why, sheer size? I see the autoparts, floral, postal, telecom, IT and even chinese takeaway markets snapping something like this up.

But, there will still be crew cab F350s that have a shovel and a bag of sand in the back here in America.

The Sprinter is a great alternative and didn't think that the other "Big-2" would make an attempt.

The Ford Transit has been a hit in the UK and Europe in-general for many years, but would it make it here?

If the Honda Element, Scion Xb, and similar cubical vehicles continue to be popular, then a small and tall, boxy delivery van may be popular if...

1. It's priced right
2. Proves reliable for fleet use
3. Relocate the point of manufacture -- the U.S. isn't ready for an India-made vehicle
4. and they Americanize the looks a bit

Of course, it would probably be an Automatic-only, large I-4 or small V-6 gasser (Diesel would be perfect, but - ya know).

RH77

[GasSavers_Ryland]

I imagine this would replace the discontinued cargo-mini vans that are so popular with pretty much anyone who needs a utility vehicle that is inclosed, you can't really find any small utility vehicles, and if you own your own buissness and travle much it's easy to see how much money is tossed at operating a larger vehicle, so if the market them right they seem like they would be extreamly popular.

[Rstb88]

I'm betting on the UK Transit to come over in that Otomans place. The Transit already looks like something America would want. http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/transit/-/-/-/-/-/-

[landspeed]

The transit + Transit Connect (the small one) come with Common-Rail turbodiesel engines, and are very good on fuel economy!. It would be good if they found a market - you can get a lot of stuff, even in the small 'Transit Connect', and it costs so much less to drive around (e.g. would be useful for a mobile plumber / electrician etc).

[Spule 4]

Well, at least we got the gas ones. $22K tho, so far from cheap. And reportedly selling fast.