Comments on: Ford Shows Transit Connect Taxi Concept

By: jthorner

jthorner — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:50:59 +0000

“And what is the advantage of this over the minivans already on the market?”

The Transit Connect is more the size of a Mazda 5 than it is a typical bloated “mini”van, yet it has as much interior space as a Ford Expedition. It is designed and built as a commercial vehicle with function and longevity the top priorities rather than style and cup holder count. Also, there is no third row seat taking up space. It is an idea configuration for city taxi-cab duty. I wonder why the London Taxi continues to exist?

By: Sajeev Mehta

Sajeev Mehta — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:36:55 +0000

Good idea, good timing. With any luck, the Duratorq diesel will follow.

P71_CrownVic :Ford has NEVER said that the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Town Car are going out of production.

Maybe there’s a Mexican factory somewhere we don’t know about, but otherwise its doom and gloom for the Panther.

By: geeber

geeber — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:24:24 +0000

Good move, Ford. This vehicle will make a great taxi.

The Crown Victoria is good, tough car, but I never thought it was particularly roomy in the back seat. If anything, given the car’s size, the back seat is cramped and difficult to enter and exit.

By: taxman100

taxman100 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:23:05 +0000

This is the vehicle if you want to pay to be driven around feeling like a load of cargo.

Ford ought to go all the way, and adopt the “cattle cars” I was transported around in on Parris Island during Marine Corps boot camp.

By: TriShield

TriShield — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:57:36 +0000

The petrol engine in this returns good fuel economy, VERY low emissions and is quite durable.

I’m also not sure how common diesel pumps are in NYC or if it would be really more economical considering the intial cost of diesel powertrains is high and that diesel fuel itself costs more than petrol.

By: Banned User

Banned User — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:45:43 +0000

And what is the advantage of this over the minivans already on the market?

By: jthorner

jthorner — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:26:53 +0000

This looks like a smart move. The Transit is already a rugged commercial grade vehicle and this footprint is quite sensible for a taxi. The Crown Vic was NEVER intended to be a taxi cab, it just devolved into that role by default. The Transit makes much better use of fuel and footprint and should be far easier to get people in and out of in tight streets.

Production is in low cost Turkey, so importing the vehicle shouldn’t be too cost prohibitive. Also, by coming in as a passenger vehicle Ford should be able to avoid the infamous Chicken Tax which puts a large duty on any imported trucks.

By: andyinsdca

andyinsdca — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:25:49 +0000

Why doesn’t this have a good, solid small diesel engine? A heavy-use vehicle like this needs a power plant that will withstand tons of abuse and get great MPG.

By: Justin Berkowitz

Justin Berkowitz — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:29:14 +0000

It’s a 5 seater, with 4 passenger seats.

By: Juniper

Juniper — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:26:12 +0000

Don’t all mini vans have sliding doors?

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:20:41 +0000

Ford has NEVER said that the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Town Car are going out of production.

If the Panthers go out of production…what will pay for all of the D3 refreshes?

By: bunkie

bunkie — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:45:13 +0000

A four-seat minivan is exactly what the taxi market needs. Crown Vics may make for durable taxis, but they are difficult to get in and out of in NYC traffic and their trunks are useless for carrying large packages which is, at times, a necessity in NYC. The TC will do well here.

It will also do well as a delivery vehicle for small businesses who do not need nor can afford full-size vans.

By: John Williams

John Williams — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:24:33 +0000

Aren’t TCs normally used “over there” to haul cargo and whatnot? In regards to passenger duty, the regular Transits handle that.

By: Banned User

Banned User — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:53:31 +0000

Ford has invented the four seat minivan.
Just amazing.
Makes you wonder why they have financial problems.