Ford Transit Connect Offers New Options To Small Businesses

This summer, the first of as many as six European spec Ford models will begin to be sold in the United States, starting with the Ford Transit Connect a compact van that will serve both commercial and family needs. Unlike the remaining European models which will be built in factories scattered across North America, the Transit Connect is being imported directly from a Ford plant in Turkey.

Ditching The Full Sized Van

The Transit Connect fills an important hole in the Ford line up, specifically by offering a vehicle that is compact and affordable, one that will probably be embraced by small business operators with enthusiasm. I can see my plumber, electrician and carpet cleaning guys flocking to a vehicle of this size, trading in their full-sized E-Series van for the Transit Connect.  Lots of businesses need plenty of cargo room, but maybe not as much as what a big van provides. Still, the Transit Connect offers a generous 135 cubic feet of cargo room and 1600 lb. payload, the best of any small commercial vehicle.

Powered by a 2.0L I4 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the Transit Connect should deliver 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Those numbers are about ten mpg better than what comparable full sized vans deliver, an improvement likely to be embraced by many contractors.

First Electric Vehicle From Ford

The Transit Connect will also carry the distinction as being the first pure electric vehicle from Ford when an EV version goes on sale next summer. Customized at a plant in the United Kingdom, the Transit Connect EV will have a range of about 100 miles, just perfect for the commercial vehicle operating in an urban environment. Ford is partnering with Smith Electric Vehicles, a European battery upfitter of commercial vehicles, to make the EV a reality.

Ford has set the base price of the Transit Connect at $21,475 which includes destination charges.  Check out the press release for additional information about packages offered by Ford for the 2010 Transit Connect.

Photos Credit: Ford Motor Company

When configured for passenger use, the Ford Transit Connect can seat as many as five people.

The seat design isn't my favorite and the dashboard isn't particularly elaborate, but for the price and good fuel economy, the Ford Transit Connect offers what many contractors and families want: affordable transportation.

When you don't have a lot of storage room to work with, making use of space is important. This above the windshield storage compartment is certainly handy.