lfeg Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 This deserves a new topic. Drove by a Ford dealer around noon today, Three new Transits flanked an E250 on the front line. Did not notice the model, but all there looked to be mid roof height. All in white, they look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I could have swore I saw a couple on the road this weekend when I was driving on I95...saw 2-3 of them...but the could have been Sprinters (from the rear) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I think the Picker guys on History Channel have one (where they formerly had a Sprinter or the Mercedes equivalent) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92merc Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Pickers were able to make a deal with Ford and get a pre-production unit. I saw they also got one of the new Transit Connects for their Tennessee store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I think the Picker guys on History Channel have one (where they formerly had a Sprinter or the Mercedes equivalent) Yup.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hermans Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 The dealer, a 1/2 mile from me has 4 on the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Ford has been building the 250 and 350s, no 1/2 tons yet...or passenger variants...just cargo AFAIK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I think the Picker guys on History Channel have one (where they formerly had a Sprinter or the Mercedes equivalent) The... Sprinter? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Working right next to a major airport, I'm sure I'll see the passenger vans as soon as they start becoming available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 The... Sprinter? ...or maybe the Freightliner equivalent the, ummm <ahem> Sprinter..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 The... Sprinter? Which tells me how many they sell around here, or I might have known that. ...or maybe the Freightliner equivalent the, ummm <ahem> Sprinter..... I suppose they were looking for a volume discount on "Sprinter" appliques. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice-capades Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Our dealership got our first two 2015 Transit's... T-150 MR & T-350 MR (Medium Roof) units late last week with a T-250 MR due in the next few days. Very impressed with the vehicles and expect to continue its' leadership with these successors to the market leading Econoline series. I expect our volume selling models to be the low roof models though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) Our dealership got our first two 2015 Transit's... T-150 MR & T-350 MR (Medium Roof) units late last week with a T-250 MR due in the next few days. Very impressed with the vehicles and expect to continue its' leadership with these successors to the market leading Econoline series. I expect our volume selling models to be the low roof models though. one word......................HUGE! Im also senseing once the passenger versions start hitting the lot, that there will be a serious injection of interest in what has been a dwindling market segment.... Edited July 15, 2014 by Deanh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 one word......................HUGE! Im also senseing once the passenger versions start hitting the lot, that there will be a serious injection of interest in what has been a dwindling market segment.... IMHO, give it 12 months and both the Transit and the Transit Connect are going to establish a fair chunk of market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 IMHO, give it 12 months and both the Transit and the Transit Connect are going to establish a fair chunk of market. I've been seeing the new TC, and it is much more attractive in person than the pictures would suggest. It's a pretty sharp looking vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Guys I sure hope you are all right. My only concern is just look at the success of the Sprinter. regardless of a MB badge or a Freightliner badger, what are the numbers-not huge and more importantly what is their sales growth record? I don't think it is impressive. I look at the Transit and I see the same thing-a light duty van. I know, Iknow- the specs read "heavy". I guess I should see a "heavy" version before I panic. Yesterday I'm in back of a NV 2500 mid roof with big ladder racks and an access ladder on the back door-electrical contractor.. Big rubber, the appearance of a "work truck". I could have been following an E-350. As I've posted before, a mechanical contractor that I am familiar with was an all Ford E fleet-not anymore- they have been buying NV's with no issues-it will be interesting to see if they go back. Other side of coin, my old company had bought five NV's and they are done with them-because of mechanical issues. Back to F-250's with a closed utility body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Those NVs aren't going to be any more durable than the Titans they're based on. Why would they be? How could they be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Guys I sure hope you are all right. My only concern is just look at the success of the Sprinter. regardless of a MB badge or a Freightliner badger, what are the numbers-not huge and more importantly what is their sales growth record? I don't think it is impressive. I look at the Transit and I see the same thing-a light duty van. I know, Iknow- the specs read "heavy". I guess I should see a "heavy" version before I panic. Yesterday I'm in back of a NV 2500 mid roof with big ladder racks and an access ladder on the back door-electrical contractor.. Big rubber, the appearance of a "work truck". I could have been following an E-350. IMO the problem with Sprinter vans is price..they seem pretty pricey for what you pay for them. If there is one thing Ford gets right almost all the time is making work vehicles...like the F-series and the E series van...I think the Transit will have no problem picking up and mantaining the market share that the lighter weight E-series has...and might even grow it. I've barely seen any NV vans...I think I've seen less then half of dozen of them in over the past 3 years or so. Not impressed by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Guys I sure hope you are all right. My only concern is just look at the success of the Sprinter. regardless of a MB badge or a Freightliner badger, what are the numbers-not huge and more importantly what is their sales growth record? I don't think it is impressive. I look at the Transit and I see the same thing-a light duty van. I know, Iknow- the specs read "heavy". I guess I should see a "heavy" version before I panic. Yesterday I'm in back of a NV 2500 mid roof with big ladder racks and an access ladder on the back door-electrical contractor.. Big rubber, the appearance of a "work truck". I could have been following an E-350. As I've posted before, a mechanical contractor that I am familiar with was an all Ford E fleet-not anymore- they have been buying NV's with no issues-it will be interesting to see if they go back. Other side of coin, my old company had bought five NV's and they are done with them-because of mechanical issues. Back to F-250's with a closed utility body. Bob, sprinters issue is its $6-7000 at a dis-advantage right off the bat...Diesels only...and as far as the NVs go, your mechanincal contractor is a nickel and dime guy, because they werent selling Nissan came out with some VERY competitive programs...including a good old proper lease...Ford doesnt subsidize or lease commercial vehicles..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 We had a demo NV live truck for a month this Spring... Junk. Equipment that was upfitted was pretty cool, but the platform itself made the old E-Series feel rock solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) Are they in early this year? Sorry...that was the first thing that leapt to mind when I read the thread title... Edited July 16, 2014 by SoonerLS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I don't know if this needs a new thread, but Chrysler's got something coming . . . http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/16/dodge-mystery-small-pickup-fiat-rampage-spy/ Ram to go on a Rampage with new small pickup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 Guys I sure hope you are all right. My only concern is just look at the success of the Sprinter. regardless of a MB badge or a Freightliner badger, what are the numbers-not huge and more importantly what is their sales growth record? I don't think it is impressive. I look at the Transit and I see the same thing-a light duty van. I know, Iknow- the specs read "heavy". I guess I should see a "heavy" version before I panic. Yesterday I'm in back of a NV 2500 mid roof with big ladder racks and an access ladder on the back door-electrical contractor.. Big rubber, the appearance of a "work truck". I could have been following an E-350. As I've posted before, a mechanical contractor that I am familiar with was an all Ford E fleet-not anymore- they have been buying NV's with no issues-it will be interesting to see if they go back. Other side of coin, my old company had bought five NV's and they are done with them-because of mechanical issues. Back to F-250's with a closed utility body. Bob, from what I see the Transit specs pretty close to the E Series model for model, even though the "wrapper" may have a pretty face. And on the NVs, the lighter use fleets seem to have the best experience with them. A friend has a shop that does PM and repair for a number of fleets in the 6 to 10 truck range. One of his good customers (a dry cleaner with a fleet of 8 or so vans) switched from a mix of Dodge and Ford vans to Sprinters years back, mostly beacuse of the high roof. Over the last 3 years they switched to the NVs due to rust problems and high maintenance costs of the Sprinters. Not to mention the higher cost of the Sprinter itself. Just all lead to a total higher cost of operation for the fleet - bad news in todays economy. They love the NVs (2500 high roof models) for the lower maintenance costs and overall lower cost of operation. This is a lighter duty application. It will be interesting to see if they get into Transits eventually - they rejected the Promaster. The Transit may force Daimler to be more agressive in pricing the Sprinter to hold onto their market share. Ford has a great reputation for durability and reasonable total cost of operation and that will help the Transit in the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Mike Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 "The Transit may force Daimler to be more agressive in pricing the Sprinter to hold onto their market share. Ford has a great reputation for durability and reasonable total cost of operation and that will help the Transit in the market." The Sprinter is a 10 or 12 year old design that has only had one key change over the years - a 5 to 6 cylinder engine. The driver ergonomics of a Sprinter are terrible. I'm sure they are OK for a work and delivery use, but mine is a Winnebago motorhome. 6 or 7 hours driving it a day is long. Odd instrument panel, climate and radio controls hard to find and reach, no controls on the steering wheel, cruise control lever that is awkward to use and too close to the turn signal lever. easy to hit the wrong one. But the worst are the brakes. They feel like marshmellows, and the Sprinter mechanics admit that everyone complains about them and they cannot improve them. Not a firm, solid feel like Ford brakes. I'm hoping the Ford gets some desing wins soon from Winnebago and the other RV builders. It won't ever be a big part of their sales, but sure would get me back into the RV shops to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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