[ausrutherford]

Best in class fuel economy with CNG/LPG capability
Ford Inside News
September 22, 2013
By: Austin Rutherford

With all-new models come all-new variants. Dropping in 2010, the already launched Transit Connect debuted with a taxi variant ready to replace the aging Crown Victoria. Now with the all-new second generation compact utility van, the taxi is returning to take on the Nissan NV200 and its upcoming twin, the Chevy City Express.

Ford quickly points out the Transit Connect Taxi will have best-in-class fuel economy. The 2.5L I4 will also be able to be converted to CNG/LPG making the model the only taxi to offer natural gas to power the wheels.

With easier accessibility thanks to a lower vehicle height, this generation taxi will help wheelchair accessible vehicle sales. Also allowing better capability, the Transit Connect features a independent rear suspension unlike the Nissan NV200, which has an aged solid rear axle.

The Transit Connect Taxi will be available from the early 2014.

 

[DetroitBORG]

The way I understand it, unless it's a hybrid, it can't be used alongside the Nissan in New York correct? That probably limits this vehicle's reach considerably.

 

[ausrutherford]

The way I understand it, unless it's a hybrid, it can't be used alongside the Nissan in New York correct? That probably limits this vehicle's reach considerably.

I do not believe the NV200 is a hybrid and I do not think the electric version is ready either.

 

[Bloggin]

Correct, the for NYC, the Nissan NV200 not a alternative fuel vehicle, offering neither hybrid and there is no EV version available. However, the 2014 Transit Connect: Taxi of the Future is offered with CNG/LPG which makes it an 'alternative fuel' vehicle and qualifies.

But for every other major city, the Transit Connect Taxi 2.5L or CNG/LPG, along with the C-Max Hybrid Taxi that is already doing very well in NYC.

This taxi has enough room for 4 passengers and all their luggage.

 

[MKII]

In the press release it mentions "a new, fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission "
Anyone know what new transmission this is?

 

[paul8488]

Any chance Ford will build these in the US at some point? I really think that an American-made taxi from an American brand only makes sense for US cities, and the same goes for other vehicles used for government agencies.

 

[Bloggin]

Any chance Ford will build these in the US at some point? I really think that an American-made taxi from an American brand only makes sense for US cities, and the same goes for other vehicles used for government agencies.

Sales volume will dictate if Ford expands production of the Transit Connect to the US. But right now, volume sales are in Europe. But the Transit Connect is still an American Made vehicle, made by an American company where profits from the sale come back to America. It's just put together in Turkey.

Just like all imports that are built here, but all profits go back to their home country of Japan, Korea, Germany, etc.

 

[falcon lover]

The way I understand it, unless it's a hybrid, it can't be used alongside the Nissan in New York correct? That probably limits this vehicle's reach considerably.

Correct!. No matter how good is the Ford, it cant be used in NYC

 

[Bloggin]

Correct!. No matter how good is the Ford, it cant be used in NYC

The CNG/LPG version of the Transit Connect Van is approved as an alternative fuel vehicle in NYC.

"Alternative Fuel Medallion is a Restricted Medallion valid for use only with a vehicle powered by compressed natural gas or a hybrid electric vehicle that complies with section 67-05 of these rules"

 

[T'Cal]

In Chicago the majority of taxis are former police cars, mostly Crown Vics. The rest are minivans, compacts, and midsized cars with Scion xBs somewhat popular. The point is,, you rarely see a new vehicle as a taxi. Does NYC require new vehicles when taxis are put in service or are used ones allowed? What other criteria does that city require?

 

[MKII]

Ford gets a scolding on 'chicken tax' maneuver
WASHINGTON -- Even without a free-trade pact, Ford Motor Co. has leaned on European models such as the Ford Fiesta and C-Max to extend its U.S. product line.

But that strategy can backfire.

This year, in a clear example of why Ford is pushing so hard for a trans-Atlantic treaty, the automaker had its hand slapped by the U.S. government for bringing cargo vans into the United States without paying the "chicken tax" -- a 50-year-old tax on imported trucks and vans, so named because it was imposed as payback for a German tariff on chicken.

In the little-noticed January ruling, officials at U.S. Customs and Border Protection took issue with how Ford was importing the Turkey-built Transit Connect, a commercial van popular in Europe that Ford launched in the U.S. market four years ago.

Ford chose to bring the Transit Connects to the United States equipped as passenger vans. Then, at a warehouse at the Port of Baltimore, a contractor would strip out seats and windows to prepare them for sale as cargo vans.

In doing so, Ford hoped to save thousands of dollars in tariffs per unit on the cargo version, which starts at $23,420, including shipping. Small passenger vans, like cars, face a 2.5 percent import tariff in the United States, compared with the 25 percent tariff on cargo vans.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20130923/GLOBAL/309239960?template=mobile

 

[Bloggin]

Ford gets a scolding on 'chicken tax' maneuver
WASHINGTON -- Even without a free-trade pact, Ford Motor Co. has leaned on European models such as the Ford Fiesta and C-Max to extend its U.S. product line.

But that strategy can backfire.

This year, in a clear example of why Ford is pushing so hard for a trans-Atlantic treaty, the automaker had its hand slapped by the U.S. government for bringing cargo vans into the United States without paying the "chicken tax" -- a 50-year-old tax on imported trucks and vans, so named because it was imposed as payback for a German tariff on chicken.

In the little-noticed January ruling, officials at U.S. Customs and Border Protection took issue with how Ford was importing the Turkey-built Transit Connect, a commercial van popular in Europe that Ford launched in the U.S. market four years ago.

Ford chose to bring the Transit Connects to the United States equipped as passenger vans. Then, at a warehouse at the Port of Baltimore, a contractor would strip out seats and windows to prepare them for sale as cargo vans.

In doing so, Ford hoped to save thousands of dollars in tariffs per unit on the cargo version, which starts at $23,420, including shipping. Small passenger vans, like cars, face a 2.5 percent import tariff in the United States, compared with the 25 percent tariff on cargo vans.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20130923/GLOBAL/309239960?template=mobile

This sounds like the Transit Connect production may be coming to NA. TC sales have increased from 8k units in 2009 to 35k in 2012, and 2013 sales to reach over 40k units. 2014 sales will be even higher with the new bodystyle and anticipation of increased wagon sales.

But with Focus and C-Max sharing the same Focus platform and suffering production restrictions, they may all find a new production home together. Oakville?

 

[ausrutherford]

Sounds more like the government is trying to rewrite the established rule. Toyota can import the Tacoma without a bed to get around the rule, but Ford can't? Daimler can import kits of the Sprinter to get around the rule, but Ford can't?