Ford Motor Company used the first day of The Work Truck Show in Chicago to launch three new commercial vehicle offerings: Transit Connect, F-59 Super Duty Chassis and a gasoline E-Series Ambulance Prep Package.
Ford Transit Connect has been a global success story for Ford. More than 600,000 Transit Connects have been sold worldwide, to customers in 58 countries on four continents. It arrives in the United States with a global reputation for durability and toughness dating back to its 2003 launch, when an expert panel of commercial vehicle journalists named Transit Connect the International Van of the Year.
Ford Motor Company used the first day of The Work Truck Show in Chicago to launch three new commercial vehicle offerings: Transit Connect, F-59 Super Duty Chassis and a gasoline E-Series Ambulance Prep Package.
Ford Transit Connect has been a global success story for Ford. More than 600,000 Transit Connects have been sold worldwide, to customers in 58 countries on four continents. It arrives in the United States with a global reputation for durability and toughness dating back to its 2003 launch, when an expert panel of commercial vehicle journalists named Transit Connect the International Van of the Year.
Ford Transit Connect is built on a dedicated front-wheel drive commercial platform to exceed the unique needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs. To prepare Transit Connect for commercial use in North America, the powertrain was upgraded to include the proven Duratec 2.0-liter I-4 engine and a four-speed automatic overdrive transaxle. These components combine to provide EPA fuel economy of 22 city and 25 highway miles per gallon. It has 135 cubic feet of cargo space and a 1,600-pound payload.
Ford Transit Connect is adaptable to a variety of commercial uses. It's available in multiple window configurations from solid side and cargo doors, to both side and rear windows for maximum visibility.
Once it arrives from Ford of Europe's Kocaeli, Turkey, production facility, Transit Connect can be upfitted with all manner of bulkheads, racks and bins to suit many specific applications and needs.
Ford Transit Connect goes on sale this summer, starting at $21,475 including destination fees.
Parcel/courier services, food distributors, laundry specialists, construction trades and government fleets -- among other various end users -- all will have a new commercial chassis choice for 2010. Ford is expanding its coverage of the commercial stripped chassis segment with three new gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR). These new chassis offerings enable body manufacturers to closely match their products to a task-appropriate chassis.
Already established in the market, E-Series Super Duty chassis are available up to a GVWR of 14,500 pounds. The new F-59 stripped chassis takes over at that point with GVWR offerings of 16,000, 19,500 and 22,000 pounds.
The F-59 chassis provides a smooth ride with premium gas-pressurized Bilstein shock absorbers, fitted to both front and rear suspensions. Robust stabilizer bars are fitted to both front and rear axles for confident handling, a compliant ride and large load carrying capacity. Road jolts and disturbances are further reduced by the addition of variable-rate jounce bumpers. Ford's exclusive heavy-duty front track bar is standard on the 22,000 pound GVWR chassis, enhancing the steering and ride and handling characteristics.
The proven 6.8-liter Triton V-10 gas engine combines with the TorqShift five-speed automatic overdrive transmission to provide responsive power, durability and economy. With five years of field experience, this engine/transmission combination provides the reliability that commercial customers have come to expect from Ford.
The F-59 Super Duty stripped chassis is equipped with standard four-wheel Anti-lock Disc Brake System (ABS) to provide steady, reliable braking service. The dual parking brakes include both a mechanical "lock-up" of the transmission when the gear shift is placed in the "Park" position, as well as a pedal-actuated driveline brake.
Building on the Ford F-53 Super Duty motorhome chassis, Ford's F-59 commercial stripped chassis will provide body companies who complete these vehicles the quality and support they have come to expect from all Ford chassis entries.
"This chassis represents tremendous value for the customers in this unique commercial segment," said Rob Stevens, chief engineer.
The F-59 Super Duty stripped chassis will be available in January, 2010, and is produced in a dedicated facility in Detroit. Final pricing will be announced closer to market introduction.
Ford Commercial Truck is introducing a new E-Series Ambulance Preparation Package, available in van or cut-away configurations. Powered by a proven 6.8-liter Triton V-10 gasoline engine, this new offering significantly lowers the cost of ambulance acquisition for private and municipal customers alike. This powerful engine delivers significantly more horsepower for critical emergency response, while delivering torque comparable to the diesel ambulance offerings.
This new E-Series Super Duty Ambulance Prep Package features an impressive array of heavy-duty features to help withstand the extreme conditions inherent to this market segment.
The E-Series gas Ambulance Prep Package will be available for order later this year.
Ford Commercial Truck also confirmed it will continue to offer dealers and customers F-650 and F-750 medium duty trucks produced by the Blue Diamond Truck and Parts joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Navistar International Corporation.
"We're committed to the medium-duty truck market, and our F-650 and F-750 vehicles will continue to haul the goods for a wide variety of commercial applications," said Len Deluca, director, Ford Commercial Trucks. "The availability of extended cab and crew cab versions has increased the appeal of these work vehicles."
On Tuesday, Ford Commercial Truck also shared elements of its 2010 Federal Diesel Emissions strategy, with specific emphasis on "what the upfitters need to know." Stevens described Ford's Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) after treatment and system and the implications for body builders and the upfit industry. Ford Commercial Truck will meet or exceed all applicable emission standards, and will provide robust solutions to meet the new requirements in the 2010 calendar year.