Comments on: Ford Transit Connect brings european practicality to commercial vehicle market

By: GN Fetner

GN Fetner — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:56 +0000

Your VP of Globial Marketing (Kultz?) said in a interview that I read on the internet not long ago that it was a possibility that Ford “might” bring over a US legal version of the European DIESEL engine for the Transit Concept in 2010. That good news made me stop from going to the Honda dealer to look at the Element which has 1500 lbs. towing capacity. I want to buy a FORD, so speed up the diesel option guys. I’ll wait a little longer before I make a decision as a way of thanking Ford for not needing BAIL-OUT money. Come on Blue Oval, give us what we want!!!

By: futurological

futurological — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:49:56 +0000

Ditto. Bring over the diesel and you’ve got a sale!

By: GN Fetner

GN Fetner — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:17:45 +0000

Ford, give me a diesel option for the Concept and I WILL BUY one ASAP!!

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:05:08 +0000

Hey Brockway,
I was comparing apples to apples, which is why I didn’t bring up the Sprinter. I am a HUGE Sprinter fan. And, you’re right, Ford should import a diesel version, but give them some props for unveiling the electric version next year. Now that should get some good mileage!
Keith Griffin

By: brockway

brockway — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:14:13 +0000

The article said: “Plus, and this part absolutely intrigues me, the Transit Connect is rated at 22 city, 25 highway EPA miles per gallon. That’s unheard of for a delivery vehicle.” What about the Dodge Sprinter (Mercedes van)? A Dodge Sprinter with the old 5 cylinder diesel engine would reportedly get 24 mpg for many owners – and that’s a HUGE van.

I like the Transit Connect and I applaud Ford for bringing it over. But for the Transit connect to really stand out, Ford needs to also bring over one of the high mpg diesel engines available in Europe in the van. I believe it gets over 40 mpg. That would get people’s attention. And these days, diesel costs less that regular unleaded.

If you look at the mpg and cargo capacity, it’s almost identical to the old Ford Freestar minivan (Ford Transit: 22/25 mpg, 135 cu. ft. cargo, 2006 Ford Freestar : 18/24 mpg, 135.7 cu ft. cargo). The Transit has a greater payload capacity though. The diesel engine though would really move the Transit away from the specs of a typical minivan, that small business may consider as an alternative to the Transit.

Also – for the wagon version I hope that Ford will offer side airbags for the rear passengers as well.