World Wide Daily Information: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

• Ford fills an unmet U.S. commercial business need with new Transit Connect, an industry-exclusive vehicle specifically developed to be a smart new choice for small business owners

• Low operating and ownership costs, a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter engine, 135 cubic feet of cargo space, a 1,600 pound payload capacity, available Ford Work Solutions technology and various cargo management systems make Transit Connect a smart solution

• Transit Connect, a strong global Ford product, goes on sale in the U.S. this summer, starting at $21,475, including destination

Ford is tapping its global portfolio of products to meet the unique needs of American small business owners with the 2010 Transit Connect, a spacious new fuel-efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles that's ideal for navigating U.S. cities.

'Transit Connect is a tangible success of our ‘One Ford' strategy to harness the best of our global products and offer new choices and solutions to customers in other parts of the world,' said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. 'With 40 percent market share, Ford is the reigning Commercial Truck leader in the United States, and we're looking for Transit Connect to further grow our leadership and allow even more customers to experience the ‘Built Ford Tough' difference.'

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect will be unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. It arrives with a global reputation for durability and toughness dating back to its 2003 launch, when an expert jury of European commercial vehicle journalists named it International Van of the Year.

Ford Transit Connect is built on a dedicated front-wheel drive commercial vehicle platform to meet and exceed the needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs. To prepare the Transit Connect for the unique needs of small businesses in the United States, the powertrain was upgraded to include a proven Duratec 2.0-liter dual-overhead cam (DOHC) four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic overdrive transaxle. Several design details, including the grille and interior touches, have been updated to lend the vehicle a fresh, new look for its American debut.

'This workhorse is like nothing available today in the American market,' said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. 'We're offering small business owners a real choice to meet their needs, instead of asking them to pull seats out of minivans or compromise on one or more of their needs. Transit Connect is good news for small business owners nationwide.'

Transit Connect: It's Global
More than 600,000 Ford Transit Connects have been sold since 2003, to customers in 58 countries and on four continents. To fulfill the unmet needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs in the United States, Ford's Global Product Development team was able to quickly adapt the Transit Connect for the American market, validate its durability and tailor the cargo space for the unique yet diverse needs of small business proprietors.

Transit Connect: It's Capable
'Transit Connect was developed to bring small business owners a new vehicle choice, offering significantly improved fuel economy, generous and accessible cargo space with the agility and maneuverability to deliver the goods in tight quarters,' said Rob Stevens, chief engineer.

Transit Connect's capability begins with capacity.

With 135 cubic feet of Transit Connect cargo volume, no other vehicle in the American market can deliver this combination of capacity and fuel economy.

• Split rear cargo doors open at a standard 180 degrees, or an optionally available 255 degrees. When open, these doors provide access to 52.1 inches of available load height.

• Lift-over height is less than two feet, when the Transit Connect is unloaded

• Once inside, the cargo area opens up to 59.1 inches of floor to ceiling load height

• The load width is 47.8 inches, between the wheel arches

• Load length is a generous 72.6 inches or more than six feet of cargo floor space. Dual sliding rear side doors provide wide access to the generous cargo space as well

Transit Connect has more than double the cargo-carrying space of the Chevrolet HHR Panel, making it suitable for a broader range of commercial use applications.

The Transit Connect offers commercial users a cargo payload of 1,600 pounds. This capacity means that the Transit Connect can carry a larger payload than the full size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck.

'Transit Connect can swallow far more cargo than people might think,' added Stevens.

The Transit Connect's capability story goes beyond capacity. Its size and nimble driving dynamics provide agility for urban routes. Power-assisted rack and pinion steering allows a 39-foot curb-to-curb turning circle assures that Transit Connect is maneuverable when delivering the goods for entrepreneurs in tight quarters.

The Transit Connect is expected to deliver at least 20 city and 24 highway mpg, pending EPA fuel economy certification.

Transit Connect: It's Adaptable
Ford Transit Connect was conceived, developed and engineered to meet the needs of small business proprietors all over the world.

Once it arrives in the United States from the plant in Kocaeli, Turkey, Transit Connect can be outfitted for specific needs across a diverse range of users.

Bulkheads, racks, bins and other upfits can be mixed, matched and configured to suit many specific commercial applications and needs. Transit Connect is offered with a wide range of upfitted cargo management options, similar to the enduring, market-leading Ford E-Series commercial vehicles.

Small business owners have tremendous choice, with this unrivaled commercial application.

• Transit Connect is available as a cargo van with no windows in the sliding side doors combined with rear cargo door privacy glass

• A panel van version is offered with no side or rear cargo area windows

• Transit Connect also can be configured with side and rear door privacy glass for maximum driver visibility

• Plus, a wagon version of Transit Connect is available with a folding second-row bench seat, in either two- or three-passenger configurations. The wagon is ideally suited to the specialized needs of a small business owner that uses Transit Connect for carrying cargo for business and passengers or family during off-hours

Ford Transit Connect can be further adapted to individual business needs with the inclusion of Ford Work Solutions. The 'solutions' behind this system allow customers to:

• Run a business from inside the Transit Connect – right from the job site. An in-dash computer provides Internet access, productivity software and optional printing capabilities

• Track tools. Tool Link™ gives the ability to organize, scan and track tools, inventory and other cargo items

• Track the fleet. Crew Chief™ is a tailored telematics service to monitor and manage small or large fleets

The Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer allows small business owners to run their enterprises from inside the Transit Connect. Applications include downloading customer or product information, remotely accessing an office work station computer, sending and receiving text messages, navigating job or delivery locations with the Garmin navigation function and connecting with customers via hands-free phone functionality.

With a bright touch screen, for easy use and visibility, the in-dash computer runs the Windows CE 6.0 operating system. Word processing, spreadsheet, calculator and calendar applications are all included. With applicable subscriptions, the system can provide users with Internet access, remote document access and Garmin Online services such as traffic, weather and fuel prices.

The in-dash computer enables the availability of Tool Link, by DeWalt. Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that adhere to the tools or objects themselves, Tool Link allows the Transit Connect Cargo to be scanned for the appropriate tools and inventory items, prior to leaving for the jobsite or route.

Tool Link helps manage valuable tools and ensures that specific items are on-board and available for use. Tool Link helps to keep all RFID-tagged objects on board, so at the end of the day, these items are secure and available for work on the next job.

Crew Chief is a tool for fleet managers to track vehicles, staff and Transit Connect diagnostics.
This system, not available in conjunction with the in-dash computer, provides a fleet manager with constant access to vehicle location information, the ability to track vehicle performance, automatic notification of vehicle maintenance needs and the ability to let drivers drive - not fill out written vehicle logs.

Crew Chief allows online access to vehicle location, speed, idle time, fuel usage and more than 30 diagnostic measures. Functions and reporting can be tailored to meet the specific needs of fleets large or small. Crew Chief has 'geo-fencing' capability, allowing a fleet manager to set geographic or time of use boundaries.

Transit Connect is adaptable to multiple drivers, too. It features a six-way manually adjustable reclining driver's seat with an armrest, and a four-way adjustable reclining passenger's seat. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes to fit drivers of diverse sizes.

Transit Connect: It's Durable
Ford Transit Connect has a global track record of durability. It's a purpose-built commercial vehicle, built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform in an exclusively commercial vehicle production facility. Transit Connect is designed, engineered and manufactured by Ford of Europe to beat tough, light commercial vehicle durability standards.

The Transit Connect is powered by a well-proven Duratec 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, featuring four valves per cylinder and an aluminum block and head. Sequential multiport electronic fuel injection provides precise fuel metering for smooth and economical performance. This engine, delivering an estimated 136 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 128 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,750 rpm, has proven American market durability.

This engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transaxle with overdrive for additional fuel economy. A final-drive ratio of 4.20 to 1 is designed to give Transit Connect pulling power for the long haul. Fifteen inch steel wheels with P205/65R-15 black sidewall tires put the Transit Connect in contact with the road.

The Transit Connect was developed at the outset to be durable, with a boron steel front crossmember, a high-strength steel reinforced body shell, twin- side cross members and side-impact protection. Several areas of the body structure are double-skinned for additional strength, increasing resistance to the minor scrapes inherent to urban delivery situations. Swage lines along the lower side door panels add rigidity and visual character.

As a nimble, purpose-built commercial vehicle, Transit Connect can be a smart choice for the small business proprietor currently over-taxing the capabilities of an aging minivan with the passenger seats removed.

Transit Connect: It's Professional
While providing an ideal palette for identification and logo of a business on its body side, Transit Connect tells the world that its owner or operator has made a smart, savvy and efficient choice.

Transit Connect keeps passengers and cargo safe and secure, too. Front and side air bags help keep driver and first-row passenger safe. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are standard, as well. A locking exterior hood release helps keep things secure up front. Lock-in-Latch shielded door locks help Transit Connect resist break-in.

Transit Connect helps small business professionals keep their cool with standard air-conditioning and an AM/FM Stereo receiver with two speakers. A similar audio unit is offered, adding a single disc CD player and an audio input jack.

A standard center console includes two large cupholders and twin storage bins for receipts, invoices and toll coins. The Transit Connect roofline allows an overhead storage shelf, holding the small items an entrepreneur needs to keep top-of-mind.

Transit Connect: It's Accessible
With models starting at $21,475, including destination, Transit Connect is accessible to a wide range of American small business owners.

Plus, low operating costs, excellent fuel economy and 7,500 mile service intervals make economic sense, for businesses on tight budgets. A comfortable ride, an automatic transaxle and small exterior dimensions make Transit Connect accessible to lots of drivers that might be intimidated by the prospect of a full-size commercial vehicle.

'Transit Connect will be a useful small business tool,' said Chief Engineer Stevens. 'It drives like a car, works like a van and is engineered to be as tough as a truck.'Source - Ford

TRANSIT CONNECT WINNER: THE MAID PROS

Growing a start-up business can be tough. You need to get the word out to the people who need your services, and that's not always easy. That's why Omar Herrera, owner of The Maid Pros residential cleaning service in Woodbury, N.Y., is thrilled about winning a new Ford Transit Connect.

Herrera is one of five grand prize winners in Ford's 'Connect with Connect' contest. Winners will receive a customized Transit Connect, the versatile new van that debuts in February 2009 at the Chicago Auto Show. With a cargo capacity of 143 cu. ft., compact maneuverability and efficient 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, it's the perfect vehicle for small businesses on the go.

With a customized Transit Connect, Herrera said, customers will know who he is and what he does. 'The Transit Connect, really, will be like a moving billboard,' he said. 'And it's a professional image, which is what I want to convey – just like the big franchises. When I'm parked at a house, people will know why I'm there and what I'm doing. If I go shopping, and leave it parked at the mall, people can see the number and remember the name.'

Having a vehicle that fits his specific business needs will make his life much easier, as well.

'I'm using my own vehicle now, and it's my only source of getting around,' Herrera said. 'I have to fit in all my cleaning solutions, all my tools, and then I have to unload it every night. I wanted a van, but not too big of a van – the Transit Connect is perfect.'

Herrera has big plans – expanding his business, adding more staff. The Transit Connect, he said, will help pave the way.

'I'd like to get to the point where we could do 50 houses in a week,' he said. 'I could see myself getting a fleet of vans – maybe 6, 8 or 10 of them – and then run this like a franchise.'Source - Ford

FORD CHOOSES FIVE SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS TO RECEIVE HANDY NEW TRANSIT CONNECT VANS

• Five small-business owners to receive customized van at Transit Connect's U.S. debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2009

• Compact, versatile Transit Connect van is perfect for small businesses on the go

Five lucky small-business owners have each won a 2010 Ford Transit Connect van as grand-prize winners in the company's 'Connect with Connect' contest.

The versatile compact Transit Connect, voted Europe's Most Reliable Van by Fleet News in 2007, will make its U.S. debut in February 2009 at the Chicago Auto Show. With up to 143 cubic feet of cargo space and nearly limitless opportunities for customization, it is perfect for small businesses on the go.

The five winners, who will be presented their personalized vans at the Chicago Auto Show, were chosen from among nearly 1,000 small-business owners around the country who entered the contest to win a Transit Connect. The entrants answered questions on how they would use the new vehicle to improve their day-to-day operations and explained the short-comings, if any, of their current vehicles.

'From the wide range of small business owners who entered the contest, we're confident that Transit Connect will serve an unmet need among this strong customer base,' said Damoni Hurt, Transit Connect brand manager. 'It drives like a car, works like a van and is as tough as a truck.'

Winner Jen Kiblinger of Cincinnati, Ohio, owns Circle Tail, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs to people with a variety of disabilities. She needs a fuel efficient vehicle with easy unloading and loading capability that can better advertise her company.

The Transit Connect, with its estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway and second-row dual sliding doors, will make her job much easier. And the customization will raise awareness of her services.

'The less money that goes to gas, the more that literally goes to the dogs,' Kiblinger wrote in her essay. 'We offer valuable services to people with disabilities and to our community … we really need to increase our presence in the community so people can take advantage of the services we offer.'

Winner Matthew Wade, owner of Ten Mile Creek Kayak of Frisco, Colo., offers outdoor enthusiasts everything they need to get on the water, from safety instruction to assistance in purchasing the perfect kayak.

'I've been using my personal vehicle, which isn't designed to accommodate people and gear safely and effectively,' Wade wrote in his entry

The Transit Connect, with its 180-degree rear doors and low-load deck, will make his loading and unloading a breeze. The additional cargo and passenger space will ensure everyone – and everything – will make it to the river safely and securely.

'My kayak shop has been a dream of mine for quite some time,' he continued. 'I envision the Transit Connect having a sweet kayak rack on the roof, with my shop logo wrapped all around the body for great advertising.'

The other grand-prize contest winners are Omar Herrera, of Woodbury, N.Y., owner of The Maid Pros, a residential cleaning service; Kimberlee Mitchell of Ladera Ranch, Calif., owner of Boo Boo Busters, a full-service baby proofing and pet proofing company for family and businesses; and Jerry Buffman of Ann Arbor, Mich., owner of Dummies on the Run, which provides CPR and first aid instruction.

While the contest itself will heighten awareness of the Transit Connect, said Hurt, word-of-mouth has been the best advertisement of all.

'There's been a buzz about the Transit Connect – people can't wait to see it,' he said. 'We've been getting a lot of questions – mainly, ‘When is it coming here?' and ‘How can I get one?''

Transit Connect is built in Kocaeli, Turkey, at Ford's most advanced light commercial vehicle assembly plant. It will be available in select North American markets in mid-2009.Source - Ford

TRANSIT CONNECT WINNER: BOO BOO BUSTERS

Kimberlee Mitchell wants to make the world safer for babies, and she's succeeding – one house at a time. Winning a Ford Transit Connect, said the owner of Boo Boo Busters, a full-service babyproofing company in Ladera Ranch, Calif., will help her company not only better manage inventory, but also get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Mitchell is one of five grand prize winners in Ford's 'Connect with Connect' contest. Winners will receive a customized Transit Connect, the versatile new van that debuts in February 2009 at the Chicago Auto Show. With a cargo capacity of 143 cu. ft., compact maneuverability and efficient 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, it's the perfect vehicle for small businesses on the go.

In the case of Boo Boo Busters, motherhood was the impetus behind the birth of the business, Mitchell said. After her first child was born, she realized her house seemed almost booby-trapped with items dangerous to children. Since she couldn't find the help she needed, she used her journalism background, did her research, and started a company of her own. Her services, she soon found, were in great demand.

'Since I founded Boo Boo Busters in 2002, we've babyproofed hundreds of thousands of homes in L.A., Orange and San Diego counties,' she said. 'In an effort to educate new parents about home safety issues, I serve as a guest speaker at local hospitals, I'm a safety expert for local and national news organizations, and I've been a featured guest on various TV shows and in film.'

She takes her business seriously – and she needs a vehicle that can support her job requirements. 'We carry thousands of pieces of assorted hardware, from space-hogging safety gates to five-foot long sheets of Plexiglas. Organization and storage is essential, since the installers need to have a full array of the product line in their trucks to be aptly stocked for same-day installations.'

The Transit Connect would serve as a mobile warehouse, she said, allowing installers to transport tools quickly and safely. Currently, she said, employees find it difficult to find the correct inventory, and often have to make extra trips to restock. 'Not only does that mean a frustrating, costly return trip,' she said. 'But we have a customer with an unresolved hazard in their home until we return.'

Her dream? To end the unintentional injuries that occur in homes that aren't properly babyproofed. The Transit Connect, she said, will help bring her that much closer.

'I'd like to offer professional babyproofing services to parents nationwide. My goal is to franchise Boo Boo Busters and be in every metropolitan city in the U.S. Going global would be a dream! While baby/childproofing is our core business, it's integral to our business model that we concurrently work to educate expecting and young parents and grandparents about home safety. Boo Boo Busters is a labor of love – we make our living keeping little ones safe.'Source - Ford

FORD'S TRANSIT CONNECT BRINGS 22 CITY, 25 HIGHWAY MPG TO MARKET-LEADING COMMERCIAL TRUCK LINEUP

2010 Ford Transit Connect Van
Frontal driver
Frontal passenger
Side driver
Side rear passenger Not Tested
Rollover 2 Wheel Drive Not Tested
Rollover 4 Wheel Drive Not Tested

2010 Ford Transit Connect Specifications
Engine Location Front
Drive Type Front Wheel
Body / Chassis Steel unibody
Price MSRP: $20,780-22,350
Invoice: $19,330-20,760
Weight 3470 lbs | 1573.966 kg
Introduced At 2009 Chicago Auto Show

Engine
Engine Configuration I
Cylinders 4
Aspiration/Induction Normal
Displacement 1999 cc | 122.0 cu in. | 2.0 L.
Valves 16 valves.
4 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain DOHC
Horsepower 136 BHP (100.096 KW) @ 6300 RPM
Torque 128 Ft-Lbs (174 NM) @ 4750 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio 25.5 LB / HP
HP / Liter 68.0 BHP / Liter
Redline 7000
Compression Ratio 10.0:1
Fuel Type Gasoline - Petrol
Fuel Feed Fuel Injected
Block Aluminum
Head Aluminum
Ignition System Electronic
Intake Manifold Nylon (PA6 GF30)
Exhaust Manifold Cast-iron
Crankshaft Cast-iron
Pistons Die Cast Aluminum
Connecting Rods Powdered metal

Standard Transmission
Gears 4
Transmission Automatic
with Overdrive
Final Drive 4.20:1

Dimensions
Passenger Volume 10/1/132
Standard Payload 1,600.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity 14.7 Gal
Seating Capacity 2
Doors 2
Exterior
Length 180.6 in | 4587 mm.
Width 70.7 in | 1796 mm.
Height 79.3 in | 2014 mm.
Wheelbase 114.6 in | 2911 mm.
Front Track 59.3 in | 1506 mm.
Rear Track 61.1 in | 1552 mm.
Interior
Front Headroom 51.1 in | 1298 mm.
Rear Headroom 50.5 in | 1283 mm.
Front Legroom 40.5 in | 1029 mm.
Rear Legroom 38.5 in | 978 mm.
Front Hip Room 50.8 in | 1291 mm.
Rear Hip Room 59.8 in | 1519 mm.
Front Shoulder Room 54.4 in | 1382 mm.
Rear Shoulder Room 59.8 in | 1519 mm.
Vehicles with similar dimensions

Suspension
Suspension Front : Independent MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar

Rear : Multi-leaf springs with stabilizer bar

Steering
Rack and Pinion with Power Assist
Turning Circle 39.0 ft

Tires / Wheels
Wheels 15-inch with 6-spoke wheel covers

Pages

2010 Ford Transit Connect

TRANSIT CONNECT WINNER: THE MAID PROS

FORD CHOOSES FIVE SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS TO RECEIVE HANDY NEW TRANSIT CONNECT VANS

TRANSIT CONNECT WINNER: BOO BOO BUSTERS

FORD'S TRANSIT CONNECT BRINGS 22 CITY, 25 HIGHWAY MPG TO MARKET-LEADING COMMERCIAL TRUCK LINEUP

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