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Ford killing off the Econoline van

Ford killing off the Econoline van

By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

For a couple of generations, the Ford Econoline van has been as much a part of the landscape as, well, a Lincoln Town Car. But like the Town Car, the Econoline -- now known as the E-Series -- is getting killed off.

It's not because of flagging sales. The E-Series has owned the big commercial van segment for more than three decades. Ford will try to hold onto that with the replacement, a Sprinter-style, high-roof van called Transit that Ford already sells in Europe. It will get 25% better fuel economy, is far lighter than the E Series, and Ford can see efficiencies from having a single global design.

The Econoline is sure to be missed by many when it goes away in 2013. It's been made at Ford's Ohio Assembly plant in Avon Lake that opened in 1974, while the Transit will be made at Ford's renovated Kansas City (Mo.) Plant. The Econoline was popular not only for cable guys and plumbers, but as a car pool get-to-work vehicle as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTD (Post 1164906)

No, the "E-Series" (has not beeen an "Econoline" for some years) will continue in specific models and market segments. The E chassis cutaways for commercial and RV use will continue as will some other specialized uses. The Transit will take the common "van" and "wagon" segments.

The airport hotel shuttle vans will become Transits as will the local florist delivery van (if they have not already converted to the Transit Connect) but the cube vans and motorhomes will continue to be on E Series for the near future.

The Avon Lake plant will gain the motorhome "class A" (stripped chassis) and commercial stripped F Series chassis assembly as well as the F650/750 production which is being moved from the Blue Diamond joint venture plant in Mexico. Yes, jobs returing to the US from Mexico!

The first vehicle we purchased to get this company going was a year old E-Series right off the airport shuttle service lot. It was perfect for towing a 1 car enclosed trailer and carrying all of us and show equipment etc. Truly a hidden value...

started "laying pipe" in a 65 joy bus, many years ago, then went thu every series, over the years72/75/79/83/92/96/ currently running a 04. 'Big Bubba blue', was best ,79, could take a whole buck of 1/2 drywall inside, with the 351w, pulled a half empty cement truck outta the mud with that one. The last few with the mod motors are slugs, bodys rust, frames crack, they really cheapened them up over the last few years.

Family friends of ours had an econoline from 80' - and ran it and its 302 to 340,000 miles over family trips to arizona , florida and back to california. -- the thing didnt know the meaning of the word die.

The transit is cute and everything but it is not as durable as an old econoline. -- I think i am channeling my grandfather and his 1979 Green Full size Bronco when I say that.

--Steve

Steve

It looks like the Transit is only available with a I-4 engine and 4 speed auto. Definatly not an E replacement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcowan (Post 1164933)

It looks like the Transit is only available with a I-4 engine and 4 speed auto. Definatly not an E replacement.

That is the smaller Transit Connect model. The US Transit will have a different powertrain lineup than the Euro versions which are primarily all diesel and manual transmissions.

Well, that could be a good thing! A small turbodiesel with a 5 or 6 speed stick might make a pretty good tow vehicle. But I'm not holding my breath on that. The tree hugger nazi's are make it pretty difficult to get an engine like that to market.

It will still be retained for Cutaway vans and Motorhome industry