Ford to electrify Transit Connect van
When Ford submitted its business plan to Congress, a new electric van was mentioned that is scheduled to debut in 2010 for commercial fleet use. We expect to hear more about the automaker's EV plans in very short order, but in the meantime, CEO Alan Mulally is now indicating that it will be a version of the Transit line that is currently available in Europe and is scheduled to hit American shores in the summer of '09. This news, while interesting, should come as anything but a shocker, considering that the Transit line is vastly smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic than the behemoth full-sizers that Ford currently offers in the States (see gallery below). Though it might actually be relatively easy to electrify a large E-Series rear-wheel drive van, that platform probably doesn't warrant much further development. Now that the smaller front-wheel drive Transit line is going global, money is better spent working on those underpinnings. Next question: will it come from Smith Electric Vehicles?
Gallery: Chicago 2008: Ford Transit Connect
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mirko 3:44AM (12/18/2008)
The Transit Connect is small an FWD, the Transit is much larger (Sprinter sized) and either FWD or RWD. Will the electrics be based on the Transit or the Connect?
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Stan Wellaway 4:06AM (12/18/2008)
".. Next question: will it come from Smith Electric Vehicles?.."
Good question. Beleagured shareholders in Tanfield Group (Smith's UK-based owner) are on tenterhooks awaiting the answer.
If the electric version IS being made by Smith, my guess is that they will not be shipped from England but will be made on US soil by US workers. Possibly within premises already occupied by another Smith subsidiary (Snorkel USA, at Fresno or Elwood), or possibly on floorspace within whichever factory Ford choose to build the gasoline model.
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Stan Wellaway 4:19AM (12/18/2008)
Mirko -- if the reported information is correct, it looks like Ford are referring to the Transit Connect which, like you say, is distinctly different from the bigger Transit (stupid of Ford to use confusingly similar names for both).
Smith produce electric versions of both. The Smith Ampere is based on the Transit Connect, the Smith Edison is based on the Transit. See http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com
It may yet turn out that Smith are not involved at all of course, and that Ford will be building the electric version themselves. But the two companies have worked very closely together so far. In Europe, both the Edison and the Ampere are dual-badged Smith/Ford.
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G-Meister 1:21PM (12/18/2008)
Yes, please correct the post- the transit Connect is completely different from the full-size Transit van.
As to naming converntion, I think they would do better to drop the transit part of the name and just call it the Ford Connect for North America. It makes sense to call it a Transit Connect in Europe, since Transit is a long established (commercial) brand.
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Brad 8:15AM (2/25/2009)
Love this vehicle. We are thinking about getting a Transit for our business. We manufacture and distribute curly hair products, and need a versatile vehicle for deliveries or short trips with a few employees piled in the car. It comes down to a decision between the Transit Connect, a bigger 150 van or a crossover SUV. But this Transit looks so nimble! If they put out a hybrid version, I am on board for sure. Go Ford!
Brad
Mixed Chicks Haircare
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