Ford Motor Co. is freshening its Transit vans with new driver assistance technology and two new engines in the hopes of increasing its share — and profits — in the lucrative commercial vehicle space.
This story by Michael Martinez originally appeared in Automotive News Canada.
On sale this fall, the 2020 Transit also gains an optional all-wheel-drive system and a two-row, five-seat “crew van” configuration.
The full-size van is among Ford’s most profitable vehicles and a staple at work sites across the country.
The Transit has gained importance under CEO Jim Hackett as he overhauls the automaker’s lineup to focus on profitable nameplates. Ford is in the midst of updating all of its commercial vehicles, starting with the Transit Connect midsize van last year and extending to the Super Duty pickups and Transit van this year.
The freshened Transit will come standard with a new 3.5-litre V-6 gasoline engine. The automaker said it’s more efficient than the outgoing 3.7-litre engine it replaces but did not reveal its specs. A new 2.0-litre EcoBlue biturbo four-cylinder diesel engine is optional. It will offer more power and torque than the 3.2-litre diesel it replaces, Ford says.
The automaker is also carrying over an optional 3.5-litre EcoBoost gasoline engine. All will be paired with Ford’s 10-speed transmission, which has rolled out on other vehicles including the F-150 and upcoming Explorer.
