Ford Transit Van
Ford releases some new tech specs for the new Transit Van. Ford Transit Van I have to think this will be the Class B up-fitters main choice of van. If so, I wonder how much this will affect the r...
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I also subscribe to the pay cash philosophy for toys.
But I disagree with you on price not being a factor. If you look at sales across all RV's, the traffic is definitely at the low end of the market. People are very price conscious these days. Big expensive RV's are just not selling in the numbers they use to. The B market is relatively hot.
The B class market is hungry for a lower price segment. Currently that is filled by the Chevy and Ford vans. Even if those bodies weren't going away, something coming in under 100k is going to sell very well. What will be interesting, if they can broaden the market beyond the retired set. I think that is where an untapped market lies - sports active people and small families. An alternative to buying a Tahoe/Suburban (priced these lately?), but more value for the same money.
I'd predict that Ford Transit will push Sprinter out of the market for the most part. You'll buy a Sprinter if you want a premium class RV or just have to have a diesel. If the driving performance is there with the gas V6 turbo, as well as fuel economy, why spend $20k to $40k more for a Sprinter?
I'd also predict that the preference for diesels will wane in the B segment. The turbo gas engine should have adequate torque and nearly the same economy and much less cost. The turbo performs adequately at high elevations too. Although I'm perfectly happy with the normal V6 gas engine in the Promaster for a 9500lb vehicle, I can see the turbo being more appealing to most - but especially if the van moves up into 11k and 12k pounds.
But I disagree with you on price not being a factor. If you look at sales across all RV's, the traffic is definitely at the low end of the market. People are very price conscious these days. Big expensive RV's are just not selling in the numbers they use to. The B market is relatively hot.
The B class market is hungry for a lower price segment. Currently that is filled by the Chevy and Ford vans. Even if those bodies weren't going away, something coming in under 100k is going to sell very well. What will be interesting, if they can broaden the market beyond the retired set. I think that is where an untapped market lies - sports active people and small families. An alternative to buying a Tahoe/Suburban (priced these lately?), but more value for the same money.
I'd predict that Ford Transit will push Sprinter out of the market for the most part. You'll buy a Sprinter if you want a premium class RV or just have to have a diesel. If the driving performance is there with the gas V6 turbo, as well as fuel economy, why spend $20k to $40k more for a Sprinter?
I'd also predict that the preference for diesels will wane in the B segment. The turbo gas engine should have adequate torque and nearly the same economy and much less cost. The turbo performs adequately at high elevations too. Although I'm perfectly happy with the normal V6 gas engine in the Promaster for a 9500lb vehicle, I can see the turbo being more appealing to most - but especially if the van moves up into 11k and 12k pounds.
