Ford showcases diversity of van configurations
Ford recently celebrated the fast-growing work and recreational van segments at its headquarters by showcasing 35 casual and occupational examples. Ford—working closely with third parties to drive growth and to address new opportunities—gathered some of the country’s top custom fabricators and upfitters to showcase their hottest vans for work and play. Vehicles ranging from ambulances
‘From first mile to last mile’: is it time to expand into new applications?
The trucking industry is experiencing a boom with no end in short-term sight. The latest report from FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index—which tracks changes in U.S. truck market conditions, including freight volumes, freight rates, fleet capacity, fuel price and financing—is that the y/y Index remains more than triple the 2017 reading of 2.97. The current
The next level: Ford increases options with the 2019 Transit Connect, the F-150 diesel engine
This winter, Ford made two major announcements. The first, made in December, is that the company will be offering a diesel engine option for the F-150 for the first time; the second came in February, with the introduction of the new generation of Transit Connect vans. As you read the details of these launches, you
Ford introduces new generation of Transit Connect cargo van
Ford Motor Co. has introduced the new generation of its Transit Connect cargo van. This is the third generation of the Transit Connect vans, and the first since 2014 model year. The company also introduced a new Transit Connect passenger wagon. Available powertrains for the Transit Connect cargo van include the standard 2L, four-cylinder gasoline
Mercedes-Benz debuts new generation of Sprinter vans
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the third generation Sprinter van at its newly constructed Mercedes-Benz logistics center on the Mercator Island in Duisburg, Germany. It will be available in the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle centers and Van ProCenters in the U.S. market by the end of the year. The new electric eSprinter, meanwhile, will enter the market in 2019
The newest Mercedes-Benz Sprinter goes from vehicle to integrated system solution
At a recent sneak preview of the new Sprinter model, held at its Sprinter Innovation Campus in Germany, Mercedes-Benz Vans was focused on the industry segments that the third generation of its commercial van is designed to serve. Along with passenger transport applications, the company noted that trade, service and delivery sectors are in need of
Transformational technologies: Electric vehicles from Workhorse Group are filling vocational and last mile delivery needs
“It’s all about savings,” says Angela Strand, vice president at Workhorse Group. “Electric vehicles have an higher acquisition cost,” she says, “but our experience over nearly two million miles of operations indicates that operating and maintenance costs are 60% to 70% lower. “Our data shows that a traditional Class 5 truck costs one dollar per
Light-duty vans roll large
In June 2014, Ford Motor Co. took a risk by replacing its established U.S. light-duty van offering, the E-Series, with its longtime European van brand, the Transit. It quickly paid off as the new American-made Transit became the best-selling van in North America. Ford is not alone in finding success in the van market by
