2014 Transit Connect Overview
06/15/2013
Ford
With global commercial vehicle sales expected to jump significantly over the next several years, Ford's all-new 2014 Transit Connect cargo van is set to provide cost-conscious commercial fleets and small business owners unmatched fuel economy and versatility in the expanding commercial vehicle market.
Redesigned from the ground up, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect drives and parks like a car, hauls more payload than a full-size Ram 1500 pickup and delivers fuel efficiency unmatched by any other commercial vehicle in North America today - 30 mpg-plus on the highway.
With global commercial vehicle sales expected to grow by 4.8 million units to 21 million vehicles annually by 2017, Transit Connect represents a major opportunity. Ford - the second-largest commercial vehicle brand in the world and best-selling commercial brand in North America - is leveraging its One Ford product strategy to meet the growing needs of Transit Connect customers in 66 global markets with vans that are Built Ford Tough and even more fuel efficient, more capable and with greater choice of bodystyles.
Transit Connect will be joined by the all-new 2014 Ford Transit full-size van, which will provide professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers with a diverse array of bodystyles and configurations tailored to their work needs, unmatched fuel economy and low cost of operation.
To meet the needs of North American customers, Transit Connect van is offered in two wheelbase lengths, in XL and XLT series levels, and with up to a 1,600-pound payload and more than 130 cubic feet of cargo space.
For the first time, this versatile compact van is also approved to tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Power of choice
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect commercial van offers North American customers a choice between two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines - a standard 2.5-liter and an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost(R) estimated to deliver 30 mpg-plus on the highway.
These powertrain alternatives make Transit Connect the gas mileage leader among commercial cargo haulers.
Transit Connect's 2.5-liter engine can also be specified with a compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas (CNG/LPG) preparation package, enabling convenient conversion by Ford-certified upfit specialists.
Both engines come mated to an efficient six-speed automatic transmission, geared for around-town responsiveness and low-rpm highway cruising.
Transit Connect van offers unexpected features in a high-value package, combined with low operating costs.
This stylish, contemporary cargo van is available with or without second-row seating, and offers useful options like rear view camera, 6.5-inch touch-screen display with navigation, and SYNC(R) with MyFord Touch(R) - Ford's highly acclaimed voice-activated mobile communications and entertainment system.
Transit Connect is a One Ford global design delivering substantial capability on a compact overall footprint with urban-friendly maneuverability. It is ideal for small business proprietors and fleets aiming to right-size vehicles to specific duties.
Commercial-strength DNA
The Transit Connect work ethic is reflected in this clever van's cargo-carrying and payload capabilities, and its high-strength body engineered to rigorous global commercial vehicle durability standards.
The all-new Transit Connect builds on the foundation of reliability and durability established by the original Transit Connect compact van. Introduced in North America in 2009, Transit Connect has become the must-have vehicle for small business proprietors and fleets.
Transit Connect was recognized as an innovative "white space" vehicle - literally carving out a new category in the market - by the automotive industry press corps when it was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show. Now selling at a pace of 35,000 units per year, Transit Connect has become a favorite of small business owners, corporate fleets and taxi operators in major urban areas such as Los Angeles and New York City. Tradesmen and fleet administrators alike find its combination of car-like maneuverability, ease of handling and cargo capacity just right for many tasks.
All Transit Connect van models feature first-row frontal and side airbags, first-row side curtain airbags and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Ford's award-winning MyKey(R) programmable ignition key, enabling owners and fleet administrators to restrict maximum vehicle speed and audio system volume, is standard.
Multiple vehicle fleets can specify Transit Connect with available Ford Work Solutions(TM) Crew Chief(TM) telematics, powered by Telogis(R). This system enables a centralized fleet logistics leader to simultaneously monitor several vehicles in real time for location, speed and excess idle time - thus improving productivity and efficiency.