Ford Files Trademark Applications for 'Transit Courier' and 'Courier' in U.S.

Have you ever sat in a Ford Transit Connect and said to yourself, “Gosh, I like this, but it’s just so darn big!“? Well, if Ford’s latest trademark filings are any indication, the Blue Oval might soon have exactly what you’re looking for.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Ford filed trademark applications for two names — “Transit Courier” and “Courier” — on July 22, 2016, hinting at possible Fiesta-based, B-segment vans for North America.

In Europe, the Transit Courier exists in multiple guises: as a panel van called Transit Courier, as a commercial passenger vehicle called Transit Courier Kombi, and as a non-commercial passenger van called Tourneo Courier. Additionally, Ford of Europe markets a three-door Fiesta without rear glass, simply named Fiesta Van.

Courier, without a Transit prefix, was a Fiesta-based pickup sold in South America until 2013. Before that, Ford used the Courier name domestically when rebadging Mazda pickups. That Ford Courier was replaced by the Ford Ranger in 1983, but the name lived on in other markets.

According to Ford’s North American product communications manager, Mike Levine, the automaker does not “speculate about future products” and trademark filings are “part of our normal course of business.”

“The best-selling Transit Connect small van is available in a choice of short and long wheelbases to help customers find the best size to meet their needs,” Levine said. “There are no current plans to offer a smaller van below Transit Connect.”

Ford has taken the commercial van market by the horns since releasing an onslaught of new product in the segment over the last few years.

It began with Ford importing the first-generation Transit Connect from Turkey, with all vehicles fitted with rear seats when they came through U.S. Customs to avoid the 25-percent “chicken tax” applied to commercial vehicles. U.S. Customs slapped Ford on the wrist for the practice and the automaker moved production to Spain for the second-generation van.

Ford didn’t stop there. The automaker began selling larger Transits domestically, a common sight in Europe, to replace the aging E-Series/Econoline van range. The E-Series is now built solely as a chassis cab model.

[Image: Ford of Europe]