Online Shopping growth defines Ford Transit's business impact in it's 50th year.

• Transport for online shopping is boosting the multi‑billion pound annual contribution by van-dependent businesses
• Ford commissioned the Centre for Economics and Business Research to understand today’s economic impact of vans, led by the iconic Transit since 1965
• Online shopping, plus trades such as painting, plumbing and plastering, drive increased van use
• Together with sectors relying on vans – building, maintenance/repair, utilities and transport – more than £120 billion injected into the UK economy yearly
• Ford Transit is Britain’s top commercial vehicle brand – this year set to pass 2,500,000 total UK sales in 50 years

A half century after Ford introduced the iconic Transit, commercial vans still make a significant and growing economic contribution, according to a new study.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research report shows that van-dependent businesses contributed a total of £415 billion to the major economies of France, Germany, and Britain in 2014 – including £120 billion to the UK economy, an increase of 16 per cent compared with 2010 and an amount approaching the overall economy of Switzerland.

Ford commissioned the report to understand the impact of commercial vans on today’s economy. The report highlights continuing growth in usage, driven by transport for online shopping and newly-created businesses in trades like painting, plumbing and plastering; and ongoing demand from traditional van-based industries like building, maintenance/repair, utilities and transport.

“Most people see the Transits and other work vans on the road every day and don’t realize how vital they are for business at large, as well as the overall economy,” said Barb Samardzich, chief operating officer, Ford of Europe. “As our economy changes and evolves – with shifts to online shopping for example – demand for Transit is only rising.”

The rapid growth of online commerce has contributed to a continuing increase in the number of working vans, evidenced by Ford van sales tracking over 27 per cent up on a year ago.  The four-vehicle Transit range – spanning the compact Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom to jumbo two-tonne Transit – accounts for one in four new commercial vehicles sold in the UK this year. 

Since the Ford Transit’s introduction in 1965, over 2,500,000 Transit vans will have been registered in this country by the end of its 50^th year on sale.  The top-selling UK van for all 50 years, Ford Transit has become one of the world’s most popular commercial vehicles, with almost 8,000,000 vans built. Lined up end-to-end, those Transits would circle the globe.

International icon

In Germany – Europe’s largest economy – the online shopping sector grew by 25 per cent year‑on-year in 2014, and is forecast to grow a further 23 per cent during 2015.

French drivers operate the most vans, with 5.2 million vehicles registered in 2014, followed by 4.6 million in Spain, 3.8 million in Italy, 3.5 million in the UK, 2.7 million in Poland and 2.3 million in Germany. Poland shows the greatest increase amongst the top six nations, up 85 per cent since 2000. Sales of medium vans like Transit are strongest in Germany, with 281,000 vehicles registered in 2014, followed by 231,000 in the UK, and 187,000 in France.

With its expanded four-model line-up, Transit has helped to make Ford the second best-selling commercial vehicle brand in Europe in the first six months of 2015, up from number seven in 2012, with sales 33 per cent higher than the prior year.

Van sales and usage also have been boosted by the birth of many new small businesses, in the UK especially, following the financial crisis. For example, construction trades like painting, plastering and plumbing have shown rapid growth, with more than 24,000 new businesses established in 2013, 30 per cent more than in 2010.

In addition, the Centre for Economics and Business Research – which produces reports for the UK government – reveals that major economic benefits from van usage extends beyond the direct business impact, such as through the tax contribution to public finances. In the UK, van drivers covered 64 billion miles last year, up by 20 per cent compared with 2008, generating more than £5 billion in fuel duty.

Ford’s golden convoy of Transits celebrating 50 years of the van icon has departed the UK’s CV Show.

• Gold Ford Transits debut at this week’s CV Show to mark 50 years of leadership
• Ford’s CV Show stand dominated by gold-sprayed two-tonne Transit display model
• A further four gold Transits depart the show to tour new Transit Centre dealerships, events and other shows
• Convoy’s Transit Courier, Connect, Custom and two-tonne models go on four-month tour, culminating at Transit Owners’ Club’s celebration on its actual birthday (weekend of Aug 8/9)

Ford’s golden convoy of Transits celebrating 50 years of the van icon has departed the UK’s CV Show to tour dealerships, events and other shows until the commercial vehicle leader’s actual anniversary on the weekend of Aug 8/9.

The tour by gold-coloured Transit Courier, Connect, Custom and two-tonne Transit models marks five decades of loyal service to businesses in UK and around the world.

Since the first vehicle left the production line in Langley, England, on August 9, 1965, almost 8 million Transit and Transit Custom models have been built, and the Transit has grown from a single model to an entire family of Transit vans.

Lined up end-to-end, 50 years of Transits would circle the globe, and on average a new Transit has been bought every 180 seconds during its lifetime.

The latest expanded Transit line-up features four all-new models – Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – which are boosting demand for Ford commercial vehicles, with sales at an all-time high in March up 43 per cent at 16,497, compared with March 2014.

“The Ford Transit has touched the lives of most of us,” said Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain. “From house moves to moving people, the Ford Transit is an essential tool to get the job done. It has become a mobile office or workshop for some – and loved by us all.” 

Launched in the same year that the first person walked in space, the Transit made an immediate impact, providing practical support to the booming economy. The Transit evolved with a vast range of bodystyles and variants: from the parcel van, through tipper trucks and campers, to outrageous one-offs, including the Cosworth V8-powered Supervans.

Growing popularity saw production of the Transit accelerate, and after passing the first million milestone in 1976, it rapidly passed the next ones in 1985, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2013. Add demand for the smaller Transit Connect – with more than 1 million sold – and the compact all-new Transit Courier, and total Transit production is scheduled to top 9 million during 2015.

Transit has also introduced a list of technology innovations to help improve performance, comfort and safety; from features like side-loading doors, radial ply tyres and halogen headlights, to direct injection diesel engines, high security locks and standard anti-lock brakes. The latest Transit models have added state-of-the-art technologies like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Aid.

The success of the Transit has seen production expand beyond Europe, including facilities in Nanchang, China and in 2014 the Transit entered North America for the first time, with the all-new two-tonne Transit being built in Kansas City, Mo. This has helped extend the all-new Transit to 118 markets across six continents.

"Ford’s Transit family continues to lead the way in innovation,” Ovenden said. “With 50 years of van sales leadership in the UK under its belt, the new four-van Transit range is looking forward to its next half century.”

Last new Transit launched to complete new family of commercial vehicles.

• Ford delivers final stage in transformation of its commercial vehicle range at the Birmingham CV Show; global debut of Transit Courier completes all-new four vehicle Transit range, helping to drive sales growth of more than 50 per cent by 2016
• All-new Transit Courier marks new entry point for Transit range; offers class-leading loadspace, running costs and safety features, within a compact and affordable package
• Next generation Transit Connect offers best-in-class load-carrying, outstanding fuel efficiency and dependability; innovative features include Ford SYNC and Active City Stop
• New high-roof version of the Transit Custom also debuts in Birmingham
• All-new Ford Transit two-tonne model offers a huge variety of body styles and derivatives, class-leading load-carrying ability and cost-of-ownership, and exceptional durability

Ford’s compact and efficient all-new Transit Courier van makes its global debut at the 2013 Birmingham CV Show as the company presents its complete line-up of four next-generation Transit commercial vehicles for the first time.

Offering class-leading loadspace, running costs and safety features, the Transit Courier is the smallest member of the all-new Transit range, and joins the Transit Connect, Transit Custom and Transit in the most comprehensive ever line-up of Transit vehicles.

“Ford has now completely transformed its commercial vehicle line-up, with four all-new, class-leading Transits for European customers,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “With the all-new Transit range, we expect sales to grow to 400,000 units per year by 2016, well over 50 per cent more than we sell today.”

The Transit Courier goes on sale in spring 2014, when all four new Transit models will be available in European showrooms. The line-up will also include the spacious new high-roof version of the Transit Custom that is also revealed for the first time in Birmingham.

Ford’s renewed commercial vehicle range is completed by the new Fiesta Van and new Ranger, winner of the International Pickup Award 2013, joining the Transits on the Birmingham stand.

All-new Transit Courier

The all-new Transit Courier marks a significant development for the Transit range, expanding the nameplate into the compact van segment for the first time.

Based on Ford’s global B-segment platform, the Transit Courier delivers class-leading load volume of 2.3m3 (SAE) with standard full bulkhead within an overall length of 4.16 metres, and offers the agile handling and manoeuvrability of a compact vehicle.

The load compartment offers best-in-class features including:

• longest load length at floor level of 1.62 metres
• greatest access width through sliding rear side doors
• full-height, full-width steel bulkhead (glazed or unglazed), fully compliant with DIN and ISO standards for load restraints
• optional folding mesh bulkhead and fold-dive passenger seat to accommodate extended length items, with class-leading load length of 2.59 metres
• six cargo tie-down points (DIN and ISO compliant), including four rear side-mounted points to avoid obstruction of the floor area
• multiple pre-installed bodyside fixing points to mount racking or framework
• optional ultra-bright LED loadspace lighting

With a generous load volume and maximum payload capacity of 660kg, the Transit Courier can accommodate a wide variety of cargo and equipment, including a standard Euro pallet.

“With 10 per cent more load volume and floor area than its closest competitors, the all-new Transit Courier brings a new level of productivity to the compact van segment,” Samardzich said. “This is a stylish, practical and affordable new van that businesses will value for its agility and exceptionally low cost of ownership.”

The Transit Courier will be available with highly-efficient diesel and petrol engines that target best-in-class fuel economy, and offer Auto-Start-Stop on all units. Customers can choose between the Dagenham-built 1.5-litre 75PS and 1.6-litre 95PS Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, and the remarkable 1.0-litre 100PS EcoBoost petrol engine, the “International Engine of the Year” 2012.

Providing a stylish and professional appearance, the Transit Courier demonstrates the dynamic character of Ford’s global design language with its strong rising shoulder line, slim headlamps and high-mounted signature trapezoidal grille. Rugged bumpers and bodyside mouldings provide added protection and minimise repair costs.

The cabin offers an ideal mobile-office environment, with smart stowage including a “mega-centre” console capable of storing A4 documents and small laptops; overhead stowage; and a storage drawer under the driver’s seat. A device dock in the centre of the instrument panel enables occupants to store, mount and charge mobile devices including phones and satnavs.

The Transit Courier will also offer voice-activated in-car connectivity system, Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Rear View Camera, Easy Fuel, Speed Limiter and standard ESC (Electronic Stability Control); and a class-leading variety of safety features.

All-New Transit Connect

The stylish all-new Transit Connect van sets new standards for load-carrying ability, cost of ownership and dependability. Available in short-wheelbase (L1) and long-wheelbase (L2) versions, the Transit Connect offers a spacious and practical load area with total volumes of 3.0m3 and 3.7m3(SAE) and a maximum payload of up to 1,000kg. Ford offers Van, Double-Cab-in-Van and Kombi derivatives.

Smart design and engineering ensure the new Transit Connect delivers best-in-class load carrying ability. A load-through hatch in the bulkhead and fold-flat passenger seat enable long loads up to 3.0 metres (L1) and 3.4 metres (L2) to be safely carried in the vehicle. In addition, a multi-fold dual passenger seat now enables van models to carry up to three people in the cab.

The Kombi and Double-Cab-in-Van models offer seating for five, or seven in the L2 Kombi model, and deliver flexible rear seat configurations with a movable mesh bulkhead. The L2 model also offers a unique fold-flat seat capability that optimises loadspace from the front passenger seats rearwards and accommodates loads of up to 2.0 metres.

The Transit Connect targets best-in-class fuel efficiency offering an improvement of up to 30 per cent over the current model; as well as reduced cost of ownership through minimised maintenance and repair costs with extended service intervals.

The powertrain line-up includes the highly-efficient 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel with a choice of 75, 95 and 115PS, and the 1.0-litre 100PS EcoBoost petrol engine, as well as a version of the acclaimed 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that is available with a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford ECOnetic Technologies that help to minimise fuel consumption include Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter.

Unlike many rivals which are tested like passenger cars, the all-new Transit Connect has been subjected to Ford’s ultra-stringent commercial vehicle testing and durability standards, covering millions of miles of arduous testing in laboratories, at proving grounds and on customer fleets.

The all-new model also builds on the Transit Connect’s reputation for outstanding security: the improved remote locking system now offers two channels for enhanced security and can be fully configured to the customer’s needs, while anti-tamper shielding of the door lock latches prevents destruction of the locks by drilling or chiselling.

The new model offers a stylish cockpit with car-like design and craftsmanship, smart stowage solutions, and the latest Ford driver assistance features and interior technologies. Transit Connect is the first in its class to offer Active City Stop and Tyre Pressure Monitor, and features Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance. Deliveries are due to start by the end of 2013.

All-New Transit Custom

The all-new one-tonne Transit Custom “International Van of the Year 2013” now on sale across Europe is the first vehicle in its segment to achieve a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating. Now Ford is adding a spacious new high-roof version which makes its global debut in Birmingham.

This provides customers with an extra 370mm of height in the load compartment, increasing the distance from floor to roof to 1.78 metres. The high roof option is available on both SWB (L1) and LWB (L2) versions to create a class-leading maximum load volume of 8.3m3 on the larger model. Customers can specify the high-roof with the same wide range of gross vehicle weight and powertrain options as the standard roof model, and in van and kombi bodystyles. The high-roof model will be available for customer delivery in the last quarter of 2013.

The all-new Transit Custom offers class-leading load-carrying ability, and innovative loadspace features including a load-through hatch in the bulkhead for extra-long items, and the integrated roof rack available for the low roof versions which can be folded away when not in use for better fuel economy while keeping overall vehicle height under two metres (except 330 GVM models).

Class-leading fuel economy with CO2 emissions from 162g/km* for the ECOnetic versions is delivered by the improved 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel with Auto-Start-Stop, while cost-of-ownership is further minimised by the longest service intervals in the class at two years/30,000 miles.

The Transit Custom delivers advanced Ford vehicle technologies including SYNC, Rear View Camera, Acceleration Control, Auto High Beam and Driver Alert. Two technology features – Lane Keeping Alert and SYNC Emergency Assistance – have been awarded Euro NCAP Advanced rewards, a first for a vehicle in this class.

All-New Transit

The largest of the next-generation Transit line-up, the all-new Ford Transit two-tonne model is scheduled for European launch in spring 2014 to bring a new level of capability and versatility to the medium commercial van market, with a comprehensive range of body styles and derivatives including Van, Double Cab-in-Van (DCiV), Kombi, and Bus models, plus single and double Chassis Cab and Chassis Cowl versions.

Vans are available in three different lengths and two different roof heights with multiple gross vehicle mass options of up to 4.7 tonnes. The purposeful, modern exterior design conceals a load area that meets distribution industry requirements and maintains its impressive payload capability. Innovative loadspace features make operator usage easier and more secure.

Compared to the outgoing Transit, Ford has increased load volume by around 10 per cent model-for-model, with the largest “Jumbo” van now capable of swallowing up to 15.1m3 of cargo. The all-new SuperJumbo Chassis Cab will accommodate 5m floats or box bodies.

The all-new Transit delivers minimised maintenance, repair and insurance costs, and targets best-in-class fuel economy. The latest 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel is offered with 100, 125, and 155PS power ratings, and a standard six-speed manual transmission. Front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions will be available.

An all-new interior, with a stylish and functional instrument panel, incorporates a range of smart stowage solutions. The cabin is significantly more spacious than the outgoing model, with increased shoulder room, head clearance and visibility, plus a more comfortable driving position with a fully-adjustable steering column. A wide variety of advanced technologies can also be specified, including the Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Rear View Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Alert.

Alongside the Transit Custom and Transit Connect models, the all-new Transit has been subjected to Ford’s ultra-stringent global commercial vehicle testing and durability standards, covering millions of miles of arduous testing in laboratories, at proving grounds and on customer fleets all around the world. This is even more significant with the new model, as for the first time ever the all-new Transit two-tonne derivative will be sold in the North American market where it will eventually take over from the best-selling Ford E-Series range.