All-New Ford Transit Range Makes Australian Debut

• Ford is launching the all-new Ford Transit range early next year, the latest in the long line of market-leading vans, of which 7 million have been sold since the first model appeared in 1965
• Designed to be the most stylish and safest Ford Transits ever
• All-new Ford Transit Custom combines a car-like interior and driving experience, with class-competitive load-carrying ability, low cost-of-ownership and legendary Transit heritage
• All-new Ford Transit Cargo adds flexibility of multiple combinations for customers

SYDNEY, Australia - Ford’s small business and commercial customers have more reasons to smile with the arrival of the all-new Ford Transit Custom van and all-new Ford Transit Cargo early next year.

Designed to be the most stylish and safest Transit range ever, the all-new Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo have bold an expressive new looks and are packed with the latest safety technologies, as part of Ford’s mission to appeal to a broader range of customers, including skilled tradesmen and small businesses.

“These two cargo carriers are designed to meet the most demanding needs of van users small and large,” Ford Motor Company Chief Operating Officer, Mark Fields, said.

Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano, said: “We are bringing Australians a full family of stylish, innovative, safe, high quality, fuel efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles.”

Although it provides a more car-like interior and driving experience, the new Ford Transit Custom has lost none of Ford Transit’s legendary toughness, combining class-competitive load-carrying ability and attractive cost-of-ownership with the fuel efficiency expected by van customers.

“The Ford Transit Custom is a new kind of Transit, with a distinctive new design direction and a host of advanced features that will appeal to our customers,” Graziano said.

Australian customers will be able to get behind the wheel of the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo early next year. The Ford Transit Cargo adds the flexibility of multiple combinations for customers, which will include multiple roof heights, Single and Double Cab chassis models and a 12-seater bus.

The Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo are both important components of Ford’s transition story in Australia.

“We’re committed to offering our customers the latest technologies and design and that includes providing wider choices for those customers seeking more versatility from their van,” Graziano said. “Both are stylish, modern vans that our customers will be proud to have in their driveway and yet will have the hard-working attitude customers expected of a Ford Transit.”

The newest Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo are the latest in a long line of market-defining Transits, which have sold 7 million vehicles since the first model was introduced in 1965.

Bold new appearance, strong driver appeal

The Ford Transit Custom “International Van of the Year 2013” features a bold new exterior which embodies the same dynamic character as Ford’s latest passenger cars.

The new model offers class-competitive load carrying ability, including a number of innovative new load-space features, such as a unique integrated roof rack system and an ingenious load-through hatch in the bulkhead for extra-long items.

In the cab, there is a modern, driver-focused cockpit, which features a sculpted instrument panel that combines stylish looks with smart stowage solutions for bottles, phones and papers.

Once behind the wheel, the driver can call upon a wide range of driver assistance technologies shared with Ford’s latest passenger cars, including the Ford SYNC voice-activated connectivity system.

The strong driver appeal of the Ford Transit Custom is reinforced by dynamics and performance which have been carefully tuned to reflect the same natural and easy-to-drive character which customers appreciate on Ford’s passenger car range, together with much reduced noise levels.

Built tough for maximum occupant protection, and extreme durability

Designed to be the safest Ford Transits ever, the Ford Transit Custom features an optimised body structure to maximise occupant protection that features ultra-high-strength Boron steel for the first time on a Ford Transit.

Like all Ford commercial vehicles which share the Transit badge, the all-new Ford Transit Custom has been developed to offer exceptional cost-of-ownership and durability.

The all-new Ford Transit Custom has also been subjected to Ford’s ultra-stringent Commercial Vehicle testing and durability standards.

Even before the vehicle goes on sale, it will have been driven the equivalent of five million kilometres, including at least 400,000 km with existing Transit customers.

Key components and systems are tested to the limit: for example, front doors go through an intensive regime of 250,000 non-stop slam cycles, which is three times more punishing than Ford’s equivalent passenger car test.

The Ford Transit Custom will feature Ford’s latest 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.

Apart from Australia, the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo will be sold in more than 90 markets worldwide.

Full specification and features of both the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo will be revealed closer to launch.