Ford Transit Delayed Until Model Year 2015

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

TTAC has learned that the Ford has delayed the new full-size Transit van until Model Year 2015. This leaves Ford without a next generation full-size van to compete against the updated Sprinter and the Fiat-based Ram Promaster.

Supplier issues were blamed for the delay, according to our source. Also affected is the upcoming Transit Connect Wagon, though the timeline for the launch is unclear. The big Transit was originally slated for a late 2013 launch, but the revised schedule dictates that production will start in March, 2014 at the earliest. Our source suggested it may be launched within a few months of the big Transit. The timing for the delay will leave Ford with a number of launches in the 2015 model year, among them the next generation F-150, Mustang, Edge and possibly the Lincoln version of the Ford Escape.

Update: Ford’s Mike Levine now says that Transit Connect will go on sale later this year while the big Transit will go on sale in Summer of 2014, while the model year hasn’t been finalized. In addition, the E-Series vans will remain on sale through 2014.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Slow_Joe_Crow Slow_Joe_Crow on May 01, 2013

    Bummer, both the new Transit Connect as a Mazda5 alternative and the "real" Transit as a Sprinter alternative were on the short list of new cars I would consider buying.

  • Vance Torino Vance Torino on May 01, 2013

    Class of 2014 will definitely choose the Prom-aster as their windowless shagging van of choice, then!

  • Sector 5 Sector 5 on May 01, 2013

    Finally in 2015 Transit to not having to deal with Ford, Utilmaster & Stantecc for repairs on fleet walk-ins. One machine, one vendor.

  • Sector 5 Sector 5 on May 04, 2013

    I'm not a fan of swing-out doors and a sliding side door for city use. Swing-outs tend to engage hydrants and cyclists. They can catch the wind and fly back and dent on the panelwork. A sliding side door exposes you to traffic when parked on the 'wrong side' of a one way. The immediate advantage over a walk-in will be fuel savings. I wonder if Utilmaster will see falling demand for their W650/700 body conversions? Starteccs magnetic locks & alarm system though strong can be annoying to repair. The antenna is $300 - ridiculous for an antenna. And the software in the discs touched by the wristband doesn't always communicate well. The repair is a disconnect & removal of all components and ship-off to Startecc for software upgrade. And while that's on you're a vehicle down in the fleet.

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