Hybrid Mini Van

Mark Phelan: Ford seizes chance to sell its Transit Connect to cabbies

Ford pulled a fast one this week as its Transit Connect small van won approval for sale as a taxi in New York City.

Nissan rejoiced earlier this year when the Taxi and Limousine Commission named its NV200 van the Big Apple's next taxi. New York has more taxis than any other city in the country, and taxis that survive its grueling conditions have a leg up winning business in other cities.

Ford -- and some New York cabbies -- were dismayed the NV200 won. The little van doesn't exist yet. It won at least partially on the basis of a spec sheet including what Nissan's celebratory news release called "planned innovations" rather than real-world experience.

Nissan won't begin delivering NV200 taxis until the beginning of 2013. The 200's self-proclaimed status as the "taxi of tomorrow" was a problem for cabbies who need a new vehicle today. That opened the Transit Connect-sized door Ford drove through this week. Ford expects to have Transit Connects in service this summer. Ford said sales will depend on how many cabbies order the Transit Connect.

"It's just a matter of shipping time," Ford spokesman Said Deep said. "We're ready to take orders."

The NV200 will regain its preferred status when it hits the road in 2013, but Ford hopes 18 months of experience will keep the Transit Connect in the picture.

Speaking of vans, the widely reported trend -- I remember it well; I was one of the folks who reported it last fall -- to European-style compact minivans has gone splat.

First, Chevrolet pulled the plug on plans to sell the Orlando compact seven-seater in the U.S. No great loss; the production version of the Orlando had little of the styling flair that generated buzz about the concept van. Chevy will still sell the Korean-built van in markets that go gaga over space-efficient little vehicles, like Europe, Asia and Canada.

That seemed to present an opportunity for Ford, but the Blue Oval gang has scrapped plans to build its compact seven-seater, the awkwardly named Grand C-Max at the Wayne plant in suburban Detroit.

Ford is pushing on with a smaller, five-seat C-Max van it plans to offer as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid next year.

It turns out it is not easy to get people excited about a van. Who knew? Market research convinced of a small Ford van was conventionally difficult to sell, but the hybrids will attract customers.

Toyota seems to have reached the same conclusion. V The Prius, the first new model for emerging automotive brand hybrid is a compact MPV.

Ford Introduces 1st Hybrid Minivan

Will be a price lower than the Volt, because it uses many parts natives.

Based in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford Motor Company is an automotive and auto financial services provider in the United States and around the world. The company manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. The company operates through two business segments, automotive and financial services. From Ford Motor is currently maintaining a Zacks # 3 Rank (Hold rating in the short term).

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