swiftd03 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I guess this isn't so much a competing product but more like a business that Ford got out of. Why doesn't Ford have a family van any more? I didn't even realize that Ford quit making them until I started shopping around and the closest thing on the Ford side is the Edge. Where did the minivan go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I guess this isn't so much a competing product but more like a business that Ford got out of. Why doesn't Ford have a family van any more? I didn't even realize that Ford quit making them until I started shopping around and the closest thing on the Ford side is the Edge. Where did the minivan go? The old Windstar was not kept competitive and Ford had better things to spend money on than an all new minivan platform that was competitive considering the market was shrinking. Instead Ford invested in crossovers like the Escape, Edge and Flex that had much better ROI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I didn't even realize that Ford quit making them That's basically why Ford got out of the market. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiftd03 Posted December 31, 2013 Author Share Posted December 31, 2013 LOL. Richard Jensen summed it up I think. It makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) Would a FWD Transit Tourneo with a standard 3.5L and optional 3.5EB have a chance as a Ford minivan? http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A9JQeDtaDpk/T0Q1OykzhyI/AAAAAAAGxNM/HdA__hFWrYo/s1600-h/Ford-Tourneo-Custom-Concept-3%25255B2%25255D.jpg Edited December 31, 2013 by NLPRacing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Would a FWD Transit Tourneo with a standard 3.5L and optional 3.5EB have a chance as a Ford minivan? http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A9JQeDtaDpk/T0Q1OykzhyI/AAAAAAAGxNM/HdA__hFWrYo/s1600-h/Ford-Tourneo-Custom-Concept-3%25255B2%25255D.jpg I think it would be too big as a Minivan...works as a passenger van...and I don't see vans coming back like they where in 1970s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I see more opportunities with smaller utility vehicles like grand cmax. You're not going to make big inroads against Chrysler, Honda and Toyota in the full sized minivan market which is really a U.S. only market. Grand Cmax and smaller vehicles can be global. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Transit connect (Tourneo) version and Transit Club wagon are coming to North America.. Anyone who wants a Ford minivan will have two choices both based on commercial vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Freestar final production was in November of 06. 7 calendar years or 8 model years ago. Richard NAILED it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 With my family growing, I'd love to see one. But Ford's gotta do what Ford's gotta do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiftd03 Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 If you're looking for something van like you'd be smart to check out the Flex. So far that is the direction I'm leaning for my next family mover. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 If you're looking for something van like you'd be smart to check out the Flex. So far that is the direction I'm leaning for my next family mover. I like the Flex, but if we're road-tripping as much as we do now and if we have more kids, it won't have the cargo room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I like the Flex, but if we're road-tripping as much as we do now and if we have more kids, it won't have the cargo room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 We've had this discussion before, I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 We've had this discussion before, I believe. They are viable options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) We've had this discussion before, I believe. Indeed. But automakers realize that Americans love to buy more than they really need, so vans and large SUV's will still be around for those who think they need them (even if they don't). Heck, I don't even need my Edge for much of anything. It's usually just me or me and one other person in it. Edited January 2, 2014 by NickF1011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE! Cargo aside, I'd also have to see how convenient infant/toddler/booster seats would be in the third row of a Flex (or Explorer or something like that). And how easily they stay in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Cargo aside, I'd also have to see how convenient infant/toddler/booster seats would be in the third row of a Flex (or Explorer or something like that). And how easily they stay in place. Compared to a minivan? Probably not very convenient at all. There is one more option, and it's Dawg red! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Compared to a minivan? Probably not very convenient at all. There is one more option, and it's Dawg red! My daughter would love to ride in that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE! Cargo aside, I'd also have to see how convenient infant/toddler/booster seats would be in the third row of a Flex (or Explorer or something like that). And how easily they stay in place. I can say that booster seats work very well in the 3rd row of the Flex as long as the child can buckle him/herself in. I wouldn't want to have to get back there to buckle them in. Of course, I wouldn't want to do the same in a minivan either. From my experience, the Flex makes an excellent kid hauler. We've had ours for 5+ years and our kids are now 10, 8, and 5 (next week). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 This is why I went with a minivan vs a crossover (well that and the sliding doors): Perfect for kids and then drop the seats into the floor for the occasional Home Depot trip. 4x8 piece of plywood / sheetrock fits right in there....and since I've been doing that a lot, it certainly has helped. In my opinion, it is the perfect family vehicle because it is so versatile. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I'm not a fan of those stow-n-go seats, when I've ridden in them, and they seem to create a lot more crevices for crumbs---and rare is the minivan that looks that clean even ten minutes after being driven off a dealer lot. And that's why I'm not working for a manufacturer designing minivans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 I can say that booster seats work very well in the 3rd row of the Flex as long as the child can buckle him/herself in. I wouldn't want to have to get back there to buckle them in. Of course, I wouldn't want to do the same in a minivan either. From my experience, the Flex makes an excellent kid hauler. We've had ours for 5+ years and our kids are now 10, 8, and 5 (next week). That's the thing... for at least the next seven years, we'll likely have at least one kid who can't buckle him/herself in yet. Current kids are 2 years and 3 months (and a couple more planned for after we move). This is why I went with a minivan vs a crossover (well that and the sliding doors): {snip} Perfect for kids and then drop the seats into the floor for the occasional Home Depot trip. 4x8 piece of plywood / sheetrock fits right in there....and since I've been doing that a lot, it certainly has helped. In my opinion, it is the perfect family vehicle because it is so versatile. YMMV. ^ This. It would help for toting musical equipment and fishing poles around too, especially without a truck. I'm not a fan of those stow-n-go seats, when I've ridden in them, and they seem to create a lot more crevices for crumbs---and rare is the minivan that looks that clean even ten minutes after being driven off a dealer lot. And that's why I'm not working for a manufacturer designing minivans. Though their exterior design isn't great, Honda's got you covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 That's the thing... for at least the next seven years, we'll likely have at least one kid who can't buckle him/herself in yet. Current kids are 2 years and 3 months (and a couple more planned for after we move). ^ This. It would help for toting musical equipment and fishing poles around too, especially without a truck. Though their exterior design isn't great, Honda's got you covered. Yeah, you're gonna need a minivan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Yeah, you're gonna need a minivan. But you have to admire his resolve in refusing to admit he needs a minivan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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