Tag Archives: Ford

Stunning New Ford Transit Shows Shape Of Future

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Ford Tourneo Concept - new Transit shapeFord has released the first pictures of its all-new Ford Transit, which will be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Transit is first being shown in Tourneo people carrier form but will also be made with a panel van body, as at present.

According to Ford, the Tourneo Custom Concept (i.e. the new Transit) “adopts the same Kinetic Design language as Ford’s latest passenger cars to take a fresh approach to space, style and functionality.”

It certainly looks stunning and should combine very well with Ford’s current Euro 5 engine line-up.

The Tourneo Custom Concept is based on a new Ford global platform which has been engineered to deliver car-like dynamics, including agile, responsive handling, enhanced ride comfort and reduced noise-levels.

The new models will use the latest Ford ECOnetic technologies to reduce emissions and fuel consumption and will have a car-like interior quite different to current medium-sized vans.

Ford Tourneo Concept - new Transit cab shot

The Tourneo model pictured is technically a concept vehicle but is expected to form the basis of Ford’s new commercial vehicle range, set to be introduced later this year. Given how close the launch date is, the production models should look very similar to the van we’ve pictured.

New Generation of Ford Commercial Vehicles

The debut of the Tourneo Custom Concept has added significance in heralding the arrival of a completely new generation of Ford commercial vehicles. The full range of models will be revealed during 2012.

Kicking off this major series of introductions, the Tourneo Custom Concept itself highlights a new family of Ford people movers and one-tonne vans which will be launched in Europe and other global markets, but will not be sold in North America.

This new range will be powered by enhanced versions of the new 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, which was initially introduced in 2011; with Auto-Stop-Start technology fitted as standard, Ford is targeting best-in-class fuel economy.

Three power ratings will be available: 100 PS, 125 PS and 155 PS.  All versions are paired with a six-speed manual transmission and feature front-wheel drive.

The model range will include a wide choice of body styles and two wheelbases (SWB and LWB) allowing for extra luggage or goods capability where required.

New Ford Transit concept - rear viewNew Ford Transit concept front viewFord Transit conceptFord Tourneo concept vehicle

For more information, visit www.ford.co.uk.

Vauxhall Tops UK Van Production League

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Vauxhall Vivaro at Vauxhall's Luton factoryVauxhall produces more vans in the UK than any other manufacturer, making 60% of the commercial vehicles which are built in the UK.

The vast majority of these (57%) are Vauxhall Vivaro vans, which are built at the company’s Luton plant. The remainder of Vauxhall’s UK van production takes place at its Ellesmere Port plant (near Liverpool), where Astravans are built on the Astra production line.

In 2011, 64% of UK-built Vivaros were exported to Europe, highlighting the fact that despite public perception, Britain has a thriving motor industry that exports a substantial number of vehicles every year.

Ford is probably the next largest producer of light commercial vehicles in the UK, with many Transit models continuing to be made at its Southampton plant, despite the fact that some Transit models are now made in Turkey. Both Transit and Vivaro have always been popular choices with van hire companies and this trend looks set to continue, with the latest Transit update receiving excellent reviews and a new model Vivaro due to go into production in less than two years.

One Bridge, 60 Ford Transit Vans…

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To celebrate the centenary of Ford in Britain, the company is releasing a series of photos from its archives – one each week.

This week it is the turn of the Ford Transit. Back in 2005, Ford was celebrating a twin landmark for this van as it celebrated its 40th birthday and the five millionth Transit van rolled off the production line in Southampton.

To mark the occasion, the Transit Van Club teamed up with Ford to organise a convoy of 60 vans across the QE2 bridge:

Ford Transit 40th birthday convoy 2005

In 2005, 60 Transit vans drove in convoy over the QE2 bridge to mark the Transit's 40th birthday.

Today, the Ford Transit has been in continuous production in Britain for 46 years. It is undoubtedly one of the most successful vans ever conceived and thoroughly deserves its reputation. I’ve owned two and would not hesitate to buy a third.

Electric Van News – Scottish Police Go Electric & Renault Wins Award

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Lothian and Borders Police Buys Electric Van

Scotland’s Lothian and Borders Police force has purchased an Ford Connect Electric van to replace a conventional diesel-powered van.

The van will primarily be used for urban work in central Edinburgh and has a range of 80 miles and a payload of 500kg.

The Ford Connect Electric is a Ford Transit Connect with an electric conversion by Azure Dynamics, a company that has partnered with Ford to product these vans, which are being marketed in Europe and the USA.

UK CV Show

Lothian and Borders Police won’t be the first organisation in its area to be operating an Electric Transit Connect – East Lothian Council has already taken delivery of one to use as an internal mail delivery van.

Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. Voted International Van of the Year

Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. International Van of the Year

The Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. has been voted International Van of the Year 2012

Renault’s all-electric Kangoo Van Z.E. has been voted International Van of the Year 2012. The winner was selected by a jury of 22 European journalists who specialise in the light commercial vehicle market.

Jury chairman Pieter Wieman explained: “With the Kangoo Van Z.E. Renault brings the electric van within the reach of the normal European van user,” he said, “thereby delivering a major contribution to environmental sustainability, one of the most important issues of the transport of goods by road nowadays.”

The Kangoo Van Z.E. launches in the UK on the 1st December and it probably is fair to say that it offers comparable running costs for urban use once diesel costs are taken into account.

As I discussed recently, the van will be sold but the batteries will be rented, enabling Renault to tailor battery pricing according to the van’s annual mileage and to ensure that battery care and life expectancy are not an issue for the operator of the van and do not impact its expected residual value.

Ford Launches Transit SuperSportVan At NEC

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Ford has a proud tradition of producing one-off high performance versions of the Transit – now it has done it again with the Transit SuperSportVan.

Ford Transit SuperSportVan

The Transit SuperSportVan( SSV) is basically a production short wheelbase Transit Sport Van with the addition of the 200PS, 3.2 litre TDCi diesel engine that is usually only fitted to the largest, heaviest Transits. Add a custom paint job and pretty much all the extras on the option list, and you have the Transit SSV*.

The SSV is on display at the Birmingham NEC this week, as part of Ford’s contribution to the Commercial Vehicle Show.

The Transit SSV is the fourth such Transit that Ford has built over the years – the most recent was a Ford World Rally Transit, which came complete with a sub-8 second 0-60mph time, internal roll cage, rally-style data logger, lowered suspension and a Ford Martini World Rally livery:

Ford transit rally van

You can see pictures of the first three Transit Supervans here.

*I have to admit that although it is pretty tasty, the Transit SSV does seem just a little bit tame when compared to earlier Transit Supervans. The original 1971 Transit Supervan, for example, was powered by a 400hp V8 petrol engine taken from Ford’s Le Mans-winning GT40 supercar… Come on Ford – you know you want to!

Ford Expands Transit Econetic Range For 2011

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Ford is to expand the range of Transit models that are available in Econetic form in 2011. Ford’s Econetic badging is used to signify the company’s lowest emission, most fuel efficient vehicles.

At present, only one Transit Econetic model is available, the FWD, short wheelbase, low roof 280 with a 115PS engine and a 1 tonne payload. 2011 will see this range of Econetic choices expanded to include longer wheelbase models and some other variants.

Ford is also introducing a new Euro V engine to replace the current Euro IV options in the Transit. This will bring the company in line with other panel van models, such as the Mercedes Sprinter  and Volkswagen Transporter, which are already available with a range of Euro V engine options. At present, only the current Transit Econetic is available with an engine that meets Euro V emissions standards.

Like other Ford Econetic models, the Transit Econetic uses a combination of altered gearing, engine mapping and aerodynamic changes to minimise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These improvements are said to result in an approximate 10% improvement in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to the standard models.

The current Transit Econetic model has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 39.2mpg. As a comparison, the best I have managed in my (mk6) Transit is 37mpg, and that was lightly loaded and with much higher CO2 emissions, thanks to the older engine design. Whether many fleet drivers will achieve the official 39.2mpg figure is another question, but there should be a relative improvement in fuel consumption compared to the standard van models, in any case.

Ford Transit – 45 Years & 6 Million Vans

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Ford celebrated two impressive milestones in its history today as the Ford Transit reached its 45th birthday and the 6 millionth Ford Transit rolled off the production lines.

Six million Transits have now been sold worldwide – with the UK’s van drivers accounting for 2.1 million of them.  Ford is celebrating these twin milestones with a new limited edition model, the Transit Sapphire. Only 1,150 Sapphires will be made and the generously-specified model will be available in short, medium and long-wheelbase versions. Goodies included as standard on the Sapphire model include air conditioning, cruise control, uprated stereo with bluetooth and auxiliary input for MP3 players and electric windows.

Here’s a picture of the Sapphire alongside a mk1 Transit – how things have changed in 45 years:

2010 Ford Transit Sapphire & a 1965 Mk1 Transit

A Mk1 Transit from 1965 alongside a 45th anniversary 2010 Transit Sapphire

As it happens, the six millionth Transit came of the line at Ford’s Turkish plant – not its Southampton factory – but the first Sapphire did roll off the line in Southampton, with the keys going to the UK’s first ever Ford dealer, Hendy Group, which sells around 3,000 Transits every year and is celebrating its own centenary this year.

Hendy Group MD Paul Hendy collecting the keys of his 45th anniversary Transit Sapphire

Hendy Group MD Paul Hendy collecting the keys of his 45th anniversary Transit Sapphire

Job Losses and Short Time For UK Van Factories

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Falling van sales across Europe mean that the UK’s two largest van factories are cutting back on manpower.

Ford has taken the difficult decision to cut 500 jobs at its Southampton factory. The plant, which makes the Transit van, as recently moved from running a double day shift to a single day shift, but as I reported here the company’s original intention was to manage this transition by cutting working hours, rather than jobs. Perhaps this was always a little too optimistic…

Ford are struggling with falling global sales – last year, the Southampton factory only produced 66,000 Transits – against almost 75,000 in 2007. This year’s total may be even lower – with export markets all over Europe suffering a downturn.

Vauxhall are also experiencing falling demand for their hugely-popular Vivaro van. Workers at the GM plant in Luton, where the vans are made, have had their working hours cut from 38 to 34 hours per week, although no job losses have been announced as yet.

Ford Cuts Transit Production In Southampton

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Ford is dramatically cutting production of its Transit van model at its Swaythling, Southampton factory.

The factory is moving from a two-shift working day to a single shift – although Ford stresses that none of the factory’s 1,100 staff will lose their jobs. Instead, working hours are being cut and all staff will remain on full basic pay, according to the company.

More than half of the Southampton factory’s output is exported to Europe and Ford says that it is simply responding to “significantly reduced medium commercial vehicle sales across Europe”.

Source: BBC News

Gear-Changing Advice – Coming soon to a Ford near you

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Ford Transit Connect SportVanOne of the easiest ways to improve fuel consumption and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle’s drivetrain is by timing gear changes correctly.

Ford are obviously aware of this and are now taking active steps to help drivers change gear better.

From 2009, all Ford Econetic model cars (Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo) will have a gear change indicator on their instrument consoles. The same indicator will also be fitted to Transit and Transit Connect vans.

The indicator consists of a light that illuminates when it’s time to change up to the next gear. The idea is that many drivers over-rev needlessly and without realising it, causing wear and wasting lots of fuel.

By timing up-changes correctly, significant cost savings can be achieved.

According to Ford, the system “continuously monitors data from the vehicle including engine speed, road speed, gear selected and throttle position to calculate optimum gear changes.”

In other words, it’s not just some dumb light that flashes automatically when engine revs reach a certain level. Sounds good to me – I will certainly look forward to trying one in practice and seeing how well it works.