Ford Drops E-Series Van, Replaces with Transit

Its replacement has similar chops. Ford says it’s sold more than 6 million Transits across 75 countries in more than 40 years. We’ll get the next-generation Transit, which will be built at Ford’s Kansas City, Mo., plant — part of a $1.1 billion investment to build the full-size van plus the next-gen F-150. The current E-Series is built in Ohio.

Don’t confuse the Transit with the smaller Transit Connect, which is already on sale here. Sold overseas, its current sibling has a plethora of wheelbases and roof heights typical of a full-size van. Expect Ford to show the next-gen Transit at one of next year’s auto shows.

Although utility vans like the E-Class and Transit Connect represent just 2% of the auto market, sales are up 20% through November. There’s hope the uptick could continue. The U.S. Census Bureau reported seasonally adjusted sales for new single-family homes had improved to their highest annualized rate since May, so contractors and other small-business owners could see better times ahead.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the next-gen Transit, but Ford officials told the Detroit News the next-gen Transit will be unibody, not body-on-frame like the E-Series, and 25% more fuel efficient because it will shed 300 pounds.

Ford Steers Fleet to Transit (Detroit News)