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...
Forum Discussion
Well, Roadtrek is going to have to replace their Ranger thru 210 Popular line with something. That price range sells very well.
Whether that is on Transit, Promaster or perhaps they are waiting on GM to import their Vauxhall (sp?) van is anybody's guess. Or maybe they plan to discontinue those products, but haven't announced it yet.
I find it humorous so many deride the Promaster based on the Travato layout. You honestly think that is the only layout they can put on this platform? Certainly you could go with a more traditional layout and not have the waste pump or the smallish water tank, nor the 110v only water heater. All those compromises are due to the flip up bed, big refrigerator and the rear bath. Put the bath on the side, bed in back like so many Sprinters, and there are all kinds of spaces for tanks and equipment. I think what WB was trying to do was generate interest/excitement/sales by offering something completely different that was being offered in the North American market.
In fact, I can see that if you took the very same layout in the RT 190 Popular and put it in a 159" wheelbase Promaster, it would be alot more value for around the same money. It would also be a great package on the shorter Transit as well. But I think in the end, the volume pricing will favor the Promaster, as I believe that there is this expectation that the Chrysler product will be, or must be, less expensive than the Ford. Now if they were to commit their entire product line to the Transit, the economics of that change could be fundamentally different. If they do that, then all bets are off.
But I think the argument that the premium products will be on Sprinter is a strong one. But supporting 2 platforms is doable - they are doing it now. But 3? Maybe since they are all the same style of van with close dimensions.
Whether that is on Transit, Promaster or perhaps they are waiting on GM to import their Vauxhall (sp?) van is anybody's guess. Or maybe they plan to discontinue those products, but haven't announced it yet.
I find it humorous so many deride the Promaster based on the Travato layout. You honestly think that is the only layout they can put on this platform? Certainly you could go with a more traditional layout and not have the waste pump or the smallish water tank, nor the 110v only water heater. All those compromises are due to the flip up bed, big refrigerator and the rear bath. Put the bath on the side, bed in back like so many Sprinters, and there are all kinds of spaces for tanks and equipment. I think what WB was trying to do was generate interest/excitement/sales by offering something completely different that was being offered in the North American market.
In fact, I can see that if you took the very same layout in the RT 190 Popular and put it in a 159" wheelbase Promaster, it would be alot more value for around the same money. It would also be a great package on the shorter Transit as well. But I think in the end, the volume pricing will favor the Promaster, as I believe that there is this expectation that the Chrysler product will be, or must be, less expensive than the Ford. Now if they were to commit their entire product line to the Transit, the economics of that change could be fundamentally different. If they do that, then all bets are off.
But I think the argument that the premium products will be on Sprinter is a strong one. But supporting 2 platforms is doable - they are doing it now. But 3? Maybe since they are all the same style of van with close dimensions.
