Why isn't Ford putting diesels in the new E-350's We need to replace our Fleet Vehicles They are telling us no more Diesels?? They are now talking about replace our Fleet with Chevy's in Oct with thier Diesel Please Ford don't make me drive a Chevy. Anybody Hiring?

 

The Navistar diesels are not trustworthy enough to put in the vans, the fit is so tight, repairs call for jacking up the body, that and the heat not effectively venting away from them causing the engine damage. Face it, Ford needs to find a better company to build their diesels or do one themselves, but the EPA has regulated the engines to death, the no emission requirement for 2012 will just about stop all but the commercial market. That is right, they are to be required to expel ZERO emissions, you should be able to put your mouth on the tail pipe, way to go Washington!

 

Ummm... You do know about the new Powerstroke, right? Ford designed and built and using urea injection to meet emissions.

OP: I'm not sure why either. It may follow in the general trend to de-rate the vans so there's less of them on the 10 o'clock news. It always takes Ford a couple years to get the new diesel into the vans, but they usually don't do away with the old.

 

They loose efficiency when they add the stuff to eliminate the exhaust, MPG goes right out the window, no point in having it.

 

I guess I don't get where you're coming from. The urea has nothing to do with the combustion process and therefore does not affect fuel mileage. The reports I've read so far of '11 owners is very positive. Many reporting over 20 highway mileage while driving the most powerful Powerstroke ever. Doesn't do much, however, for us van drivers right now. Maybe they're planning a US intro of the real Transit van over here?

 

Just going by what I've heard from diesel technicians, one guy is going to Europe, more opportunities there, if I read it right, the Econoline is going to be replaced, the European transit is coming here soon. The urea injection isn't the only addition.

 

They are dropping the E-series?

 

I believe that's what I saw on a Detroit Auto Show, that is why there was little design change on the Econolines, which have lost their name, only referred to as the "E" series. For those who think that'll never happen, Dodge owners felt the same way before waking up and finding the only vans offered were the mini van.

 

Seems kind of strange, being that its the class leader you would think they would want to keep it.

 

The Transit is easier to fit the optional equipment, seems they've put a lot into this, unlike the options for the current E-250-350, has to do with the roof options too.

 

Ford : do not kill the Econoline.

 

I hate the new super duty grill in the E series, looks stupid, ruined the smooth design, I can't stand to think of the Ford version of a Sprinter, already seen the Nissan, and the small Ford transit already available, they all look alike.