- Car-like series line-up introduced to Transit for the first time
- Customer-focused 'Drive for Simplicity' programme streamlines range and ordering process
- Numerous comfort and safety features standardised
- Transit stays ahead with class leading features and equipment levels
Birmingham, April 15, 2008 - The Ford Transit, which has personified the medium-sized van market for more than four decades, is now easier to choose and easier to order thanks to a revised series line-up and streamlined range.
The Transit 'Drive for Simplicity' programme introduces specific series levels similar to those used on passenger cars to ensure a simpler and easier ordering process for customers. At the same time, new levels of equipment have been developed for each of the new series levels.
Until now, choosing the most appropriate Ford Transit could be a complex business for many customers with 5,700 potential combinations – excluding colour and trim options – that can be ordered across the range.
"With the help of excellent feedback from our loyal customer body, we've now made the process of specifying and ordering your Transit much easier," explained Henrik Nenzen, Ford of Europe's Director for Commercial Vehicles Marketing, Sales and Service,
"The huge choice of bodystyles, payloads, powertrain options and drive lines available could be quite daunting to some customers," added Nenzen. "When different options and feature selections are added into the equation, some customers found that choosing the vehicle that best suited them and their business could become quite time-consuming. 'Drive for Simplicity' makes the process easier but it doesn't mean less choice - customers can still tailor their Transit exactly to their needs."
New series line-up
The new Ford Transit range consists of car-like series - Transit, Transit Trend, Transit Limited and Transit Sport – each offering a distinct level of specification. The core series line-up is then complemented by the availability of customer focused option packs, targeted to tailor the Transit specifically to each customer's requirements.
"This is the first time in Transit's history that a series approach has been taken. It will shorten the decision-making process to reflect the preferences of individual customers," explained Phil Collareno, Ford of Europe's Vehicle Line Director for Commercial Vehicles. "The initiative is driven by efficiency – in a commercial vehicle environment the old adage of 'time is money' really applies. We want to give our customers the most efficient way possible to ensure they get exactly the right vehicle for their needs. And this extends to the ordering process too."
The whole process is much more streamlined and easier to understand. In the new series line-up a number of features that were available previously as options are now fitted as standard equipment.
Even the entry-level Transit model offers high levels of standard equipment and features, including remote central locking, electric windows, tinted glass, a recirculation heater and a Ford 6000 radio unit with single CD, remote stalk controls and MP3 aux-in socket.
Intended to appeal to the owner-operator, the new Transit Trend model will be popular with customers that want a good looking van that reflects well on them and their business. The Transit Trend incorporates additional exterior styling and driver assistance features as standard over and above the entry-level Transit.
The Transit Tourneo bodystyle is also available as a Trend series.
The Transit Limited model features high levels of equipment for discerning mid-sized commercial vehicle customers. Alloy wheels are a key exterior visual feature to immediately distinguish the Limited from the entry-level and Trend series, whilst Velour trim brings additional comfort and a premium feel to the series. Standard features of the Limited variant over and above those specified for the Trend provide high levels of functionality, luxury and appearance.
The Transit Limited series derivative is also available to the Transit Tourneo bodystyle.
The Transit Sport offers individuality and 'sportiness' through a combination of styling features. Available with a 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi 140 PS engine the distinctive looks makes the 260 short wheelbase low roof Transit Sport stand out from the crowd.
Available in Performance Blue – a metallic shade used elsewhere in the Ford of Europe portfolio for its passenger car ST performance models – the Sport is also available in Panther Black and Tonic.
A range of five option packs are available for the entry level Transit. These packs are tailored to specific customer requirements depending on market or region.
"We've identified that offering numerous option packs was not the most beneficial system for our customers or the Ford dealer network," explained Nenzen. "Multiple packs could not be specified on a single vehicle and this unfortunately restricted pack content and sometimes duplicated existing features."
The rationale is to provide the customer with an efficient choice while always offering them the equipment, protection and driver assistance features they need.
Previously restrictive or confusing ordering systems have been eliminated. For example, where it was previously necessary for sales staff to explain that cruise control was available on all diesel models except the 85 PS and 100 PS engines, 'Drive for Simplicity' makes cruise control available on all diesel engines.
Additional Features
In addition to the options packs available for the entry level Transit, a number of additional features are available for the customer to specify. Cruise control is an option for entry-level Transit models fitted with a diesel engine. Side airbags are optionally available to Transits finished with Tomy cloth, Kado velour and Verona leather upholstery. Interior trim boards are now available on all wheelbase variants.
Coinciding with the 'Drive for Simplicity' initiative, three new metallic Transit body colours are being introduced: Panther Black, Sea Grey and Tango. These colours will also be available on the Transit Connect.
"The revised colour palette is now common between Transit and Transit Connect which reflects customer demand and the 'car-like' feel that we have successfully integrated into the latest Transit range," explained Collareno. "It also gives those customers that have both Transit and Transit Connect models on their fleet the opportunity to colour-match their vehicles for their own branding."
The audio line-up has been updated and offers comprehensive choice and features. Radio/CD with column-mounted stalks and an MP3 aux-in connector are standard on all Transit models with the further option of 6CD and satellite navigation.
"The standardisations we have made to the Transit range continue to ensure the flexibility and versatility that the Transit is renowned for, while taking the opportunity to upgrade many features. For example, tinted glass helps reduce glare and adds to the car-like ambience of the Transit compared to the outgoing clear glass," added Collareno.
Identification badges have been introduced to show the model series, and these are placed on the rear of the vehicle. The power output and gross vehicle mass of the models is still identified with the use of black and red text denoting petrol- or diesel-powered versions respectively.
"The changes we're implementing aim to ensure that Transit remains ahead in the highly competitive commercial vehicle market. We have simplified the selection process, but retained all of the choice to satisfy the needs of all Transit customers and enable them to tailor the Transit exactly to their business needs and personal choices," said Nenzen.
"The Transit brand represents dependability, reliability and value, and the new line-up gives our customers a much simplified purchasing process and a greatly increased value for money proposition," Nenzen added. "The high levels of standard equipment in an easily recognisable series format and the Transit's exemplary build quality also contribute to very positive residual values too."