Ford unveils competitor for GM’s Savana, Express full-size vans
Ford introduced a potential competitor for a locally made full-size van Wednesday at the Chicago Auto Show.The Ford Transit Connect is already on the market in Europe as a smaller van that’s still designed for commercial use, such as deliveries. Ford will bring the van to the U.S in mid-2009 and believes it could be a hit with small business owners, said Derrick Kuzak, the company’s head of global product development.
“With Internet shopping, (small businesses) do a lot of overnight deliveries, making this kind of vehicle useful,” he said.
Kuzak said the vehicle would compete as an alternative with passenger vans such as General Motor Corp.’s Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana passenger vans. GM assembles those at its assembly plant in Wentzville.
Ford hopes the vehicle will attract users who want a slightly smaller type of passenger van. The Transit Connect was said to get 24 miles per gallon in highway driving with a height under seven feet, making it easier to park in a standard garage.
