2013 will last make Econoline then new design ford van name Transit start selling in 2014 but transit is Ugly.... l like Econoline style... will going miss Econoline van!
New 2014 Transit Van..
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
So as far as I know now GM is the only US maker that still has a "normal" type van!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Pawleys Island, SC
Here's the low roof Transit. I like it better than the high roof job but still ugly. It might grow on me. I thought the gen 4 was ugly when I first saw it in '91 and it grew on me in a few years. The low roof transit
nose reminds me of the gen 2 the way the angle of the windshield pretty much matches the angle of the hood.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Eastern TN
And it still wouldn't be enough for Lisa Nowak 
Sixto
'93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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All FORD has done in the full size van market since 1975 has been trying to "freshen up the Econoline".
FORD decided to try to "freshen up the" economics of selling full sized vans for profit by unifying platforms around the world. In the competition between America's best selling full sized van & Europe's best selling full sized van Transit won hands down. FORD's American workers are busy doing what's necessary to "freshen up" the European Transit for American buyers.
FORD decided to try to "freshen up the" economics of selling full sized vans for profit by unifying platforms around the world. In the competition between America's best selling full sized van & Europe's best selling full sized van Transit won hands down. FORD's American workers are busy doing what's necessary to "freshen up" the European Transit for American buyers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Eastern TN
If the design direction is towards the NV (Nissan ripped the grill off a Ford for crying out loud), I'm glad Ford got out.Are all van photoshoots done in the same warehouse?
Sixto
'93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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From: NY, NY
Real-world numbers: Transit it 10 years older than Econoline. Econoline has sold 2 million more units in North America than Transit throughout the world.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Eastern TN
There might be overall cost savings to making only the Transit or the Econoline. I imagine it will be more difficult to sell 1M Econolines outside North America than 2M Transits in North America.
Sixto
'93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Sixto
'93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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The "competition" that lead "FORD's HQ" to decide to end E-Series & announce the development of a U.S. version Transit to replace it.
Suspect FORD's light truck/commerical decision makers used different "Real-world numbers" to make their forward looking decision. E-Series was losing ground while Transit evolved. The Great Recession & extension of CAFE regulations to light trucks essentially forced "FORD's HQ" to **** Or Get Off The Pot.
The 21st Century "competition" is for share in the high fuel efficiency full size van market. While it might be argued that "FORD's HQ" could've choosen to try & redevelop the old Econoline platform for world class MPG, the fact is they did not. They didn't have to b/c they were already making, leading the class, Transit vans.
The 21st Century "competition" is for share in the high fuel efficiency full size van market. While it might be argued that "FORD's HQ" could've choosen to try & redevelop the old Econoline platform for world class MPG, the fact is they did not. They didn't have to b/c they were already making, leading the class, Transit vans.
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From: NY, NY
We have debunked your arguments (CAFE, Econoline losing ground to Transit, etc) here on FTE.
Tabijan made the sensible, common-sense argument that most people here have made -- Ford needed to consolidate product lines, save money for its bottom line, etc. These are the real reasons -- and nothing has to do with serving its US largest audience -- commercial fleets.
That's why Ford is stonewalling us, Transit has been delayed, "tutti-frutti" versions have been dropped, only Heavy-Duty, pig-heavy Transit on Eco-B are being considered, and Econolines will be continued in cutaways, etc. Our service guy showed us a chart the other day, that US-version Transits (which are heavy-duty) with EcoBoost would have no MPG edge on E-Series with same powerplant.
Why? Because of physics my friend.
So there you go, another MPG myth debunked.
Tabijan made the sensible, common-sense argument that most people here have made -- Ford needed to consolidate product lines, save money for its bottom line, etc. These are the real reasons -- and nothing has to do with serving its US largest audience -- commercial fleets.
That's why Ford is stonewalling us, Transit has been delayed, "tutti-frutti" versions have been dropped, only Heavy-Duty, pig-heavy Transit on Eco-B are being considered, and Econolines will be continued in cutaways, etc. Our service guy showed us a chart the other day, that US-version Transits (which are heavy-duty) with EcoBoost would have no MPG edge on E-Series with same powerplant.
Why? Because of physics my friend.
So there you go, another MPG myth debunked.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 277
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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Bunk.
FORD "made the sensible, common-sense" decision to let E-Series RIP & replace it w/the Transit, a full size van "most people here have" tried to ridicule w/derogatory names like "tutti-fruiti".
The new CAFE regulations applying to light trucks are not "another MPG myth". Face it, E-Series is being phased out & T-Series is replacing them. As FORD proceeds Transit won't be limited to "only Heavy-Duty, pig heavy" versions.
What you want to believe has been "debunked" is no more "debunked" than Global Warming. "Why? Because of physics my friend" as well as economics & FOMOCO decree.
The new CAFE regulations applying to light trucks are not "another MPG myth". Face it, E-Series is being phased out & T-Series is replacing them. As FORD proceeds Transit won't be limited to "only Heavy-Duty, pig heavy" versions.
What you want to believe has been "debunked" is no more "debunked" than Global Warming. "Why? Because of physics my friend" as well as economics & FOMOCO decree.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 210
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From: Peine, Germany
I can understand Fords step to sell the Transit in America instead of the Econoline.
The Transit is build in Europe since 1953 and the Econoline-Replacement is the 7.Generation.
Once my Eco was standing next to a 4th Generation Transit.
The outer diameters were a little smaller than the Econoline, but the roof was higher.
So the "usable Space" inside is nearly the same, but it has a smaller engine.
In that model usually a 2L (122cui) Gas or a 2.5L (152) Turbo-Diesel
With that smaller Engines it gets a better mileage.
Especially the Diesel
So instead of Producing 2 Different Vehicles for Different Continents, it is cheaper to sell just one Vehicle for all porposes.
And with always rising gas prices the mileage is more important than ever.
Especially for handicraft businesses to stay competitive
The Transit is build in Europe since 1953 and the Econoline-Replacement is the 7.Generation.
Once my Eco was standing next to a 4th Generation Transit.
The outer diameters were a little smaller than the Econoline, but the roof was higher.
So the "usable Space" inside is nearly the same, but it has a smaller engine.
In that model usually a 2L (122cui) Gas or a 2.5L (152) Turbo-Diesel
With that smaller Engines it gets a better mileage.
Especially the Diesel
So instead of Producing 2 Different Vehicles for Different Continents, it is cheaper to sell just one Vehicle for all porposes.
And with always rising gas prices the mileage is more important than ever.
Especially for handicraft businesses to stay competitive
Posting Guru
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Rest assured, you aren't alone. I'm confident that worldwide, most FORD Truck Enthusiasts "understand" this.
FORD's decision to replace the full size van's biggest motor, the 6.8L V10, with the efficient 3.5L EcoBoost Turbo V6 is generally understood to significantly improve fleet average MPG.
Most understand that fuel savings will be substantial & that there is more to be saved with higher fuel prices. So much so, over its life time, fuel savings may exceed the cost of the vehicle.
Most understand that fuel savings will be substantial & that there is more to be saved with higher fuel prices. So much so, over its life time, fuel savings may exceed the cost of the vehicle.