Ford Transit

October 27, 2017 10:00 AM

Driving around the VA/MD/PA/NJ part of the eastern US, I've been seeing many more white Ford Transit vans, and similar models of other makes, than I used to. Is my experience just a selection effect? Has anyone else noticed more of these around in the past 6 months or so than before? Does anyone know why, if real, the increase might have happened?
posted by doubleozaphod to Travel & Transportation (19 answers total)

According to Wikipedia, "As of 2016, the Transit is the best-selling van in the United States, minivan sales included. The Transit drives Ford's 57 percent share of the full-size van market in the USA." There really are a lot of them out there.
posted by ubiquity at 10:03 AM on October 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

Does anyone know why, if real, the increase might have happened?

These are the vehicle of choice for Amazon delivery contractors.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 10:10 AM on October 27, 2017 [12 favorites]

I think Amazon uses these for its delivery service, which has really expanded in the past couple of years. They're not always branded from what I've seen.
posted by Think_Long at 10:10 AM on October 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

Headroom. There always used to be a lot of standard height vans driving around, but you had to crouch your way through them. In this one, you can stand straight up and find what you're looking in the cargo area. Plus you can carry more stuff than a standard van.
posted by beagle at 10:18 AM on October 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

I've been noticing them too here in the southeastern US.
posted by mareli at 10:31 AM on October 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

Here in Billings, Montana I've seen more than before. Which is to say I went from seeing about zero of them to seeing them regularly.
posted by The Deej at 10:34 AM on October 27, 2017

Yeah, it seems like they are a big part of the Amazon delivery force here in Minneapolis.
posted by advicepig at 10:36 AM on October 27, 2017

Around where I live, I see Ford Transits frequently, but I see the Mercedes Sprinter vans even more frequently. And surprisingly few of any other vans. I think it has to do with financing and pricing, deals offered in the area and so forth. The Mercedes Sprinter comes in an absolute bare-bones minimum option, so I'm not surprised to see it so frequently, even in working -class areas. When I say bare-bones, I mean reeeeeeallly small and uncomfortable seating (no ability to recline, very scratchy fabric, bench seat in the back that looks like it could fit two and is supposed to fit three), no mirrors on the visors, Bluetooth that only works intermittently (and if it doesn't, the person on the receiving end of the call hears only a high-pitched whine, forcing the caller in the van to switch off Bluetooth and use speakerphone or just hold the phone to their ear) and very fragile (cheap) storage compartments, glove compartment, dashboard storage, etc. One clumsy movement and they're toast. The engine and the cargo area, however, do their jobs exceptionally well.

I haven't actually been in a Ford Transit, but from what I hear, the newer models actually offer less headroom than do the Chevy Express Cargo van (I have been in one of those) or the Mercedes Sprinter. I could be wrong, but I have to say that the newer Transits do remind me of Hummers, as in low and long in proportion to the ground, and don't seem very spacious in terms of headroom. So that may be a factor as well.

My main point being, though, that seeing so many Transits where you live may very well have to do with pricing and deals specific to your area. A real answer to your question may be to call local dealerships for both Ford and Mercedes in your area and compare prices, financing offers, etc.
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:38 AM on October 27, 2017

Thank you for bringing this up! I've noticed more than a few of these lately and the Amazon answer ameliorates a lot of my paranoia.
posted by Chitownfats at 10:47 AM on October 27, 2017 [1 favorite]

At my job, we do environmental sampling and get daily/weekly use field equipment and laboratory containers delivered. I see these vans a lot from our subcontractors - they fit a lot and they seem to be a little more slender/maneuverable than other van types.
posted by DoubleLune at 11:28 AM on October 27, 2017

I've test driven one. They are very easy to drive, especially backing up, compared to other vans. I was in favor of getting the passenger version, but ended up getting a different vehicle because we already had a SUV. Still considering it for next time.
posted by BeeDo at 12:20 PM on October 27, 2017

This particular demographic can't possibly account for much of what you're seeing because it's so small, but maybe the reasons for purchasing extend to other groups. Among dog sport competitors, breeders, etc., these have been extremely popular for the last 2-3 years because they're cheap and easily configurable in a way that nothing else on the market really is. Any time anyone posts looking for dog sport vehicle recommendations, an increasing number of people chime in to say they got this and like it.
posted by HotToddy at 12:35 PM on October 27, 2017

The Transit Connect/NV200/Whatever Dodge's small tradesman van have exploded in numbers here in BC in the last year. I used to drive a Transit Connect for work 6 years ago and I basically was one of a handful in town. Now they are everywhere..
posted by Mitheral at 12:35 PM on October 27, 2017

According to Wikipedia, the Ford Transit was only made available in N. America in 2013 and was intended to phase out the old Econolines in 2015.
posted by mhum at 12:54 PM on October 27, 2017

My guess is that you're seeing the last wave of traditional, lower-roofed US vans—the Econolines, Ram Vans, and Chevy Express (which I think is still in production)—get phased out in favor of the new taller Euro-vans. Four-five years is about enough time to put a couple hundred thousand miles on the Econolines you hoarded before they went out of production.

I've also seen this happen in the smaller-van space, like Mitheral mentions: Lots of Chevy HHRs, minivans, and small trucks are being replaced by Transit Connects, City Expresses, etc.
posted by Polycarp at 1:32 PM on October 27, 2017

The rental market might account for some of it. I just used a Transit 250 from Enterprise to move a half-ton piece of machinery from NC to PA. It was better on gas and much nicer to drive than a U-Haul or Ryder box truck.
posted by jon1270 at 3:40 PM on October 27, 2017

Another possible reason for seeing more of these is the artists who do craft shows. Most of my fellow artists have traded in their large Econoline vans for these models. They are perfect for potters, painters or anyone else who has to haul large art and booth displays. I see lots of them parked around the local shows.
posted by jabo at 4:20 PM on October 27, 2017

I see a lot of them around here being used by folks in the trades. Headroom, storage, driver visability, and price are the most common answers to " How do you like it ?" Also seeing an increase of the Dodge and even Mercedes versions popping up, and they are priced under 30K.
posted by lobstah at 4:25 PM on October 27, 2017

They are really common on the front range of Colorado, I think it is the low price as well as a number of vehicles that are coming off of business leases. People like them because they are inexpensive, and can haul a great deal of camping equipment as well as mountain bikes, kayaks, etc. etc. It is a really cheap camper option. It is easy to tell a dedicated camper, they will have solar panels and/or an exhaust fan on the roof, as they get stuffy pretty fast.
posted by nickggully at 9:10 PM on October 27, 2017