While more a future competitor to the Ford Econoline vans than the Transit Connect, we felt Nissan’s upcoming NV commercial vans newsworthy here anyway. The new full size van offering from Nissan is aimed squarely at the commercial market with dedicated design features, specifications, and size.
To ride on the latest version of the Nissan Titan pick-up platform, the NV line has a longer nose making room for the entire drive train, unlike in the Econoline where it takes up a lot of space in the cab area. Setting the NV apart is the optional high-roof configuration allowing for full walk in access for even the tallest people.
The NV will come in 1500, 2500, and 3500 specification levels. Engines are expected to be a 4.0 liter base V6 as well as the more powerful 5.6 liter V8 found in the Titan. Nissan says that diesel power is likely to follow within a couple of years.
Nissan will begin production of the new 2012 NV commercial vans in January of 2011 at its Canton, MS assembly plant where the Quest minivan has been built for some time already. The interior will be down to business similar to that of the Transit Connect and Econolines, with features designed to appeal to drivers. That means lots of storage and comfort.
While the Nissan NV is unlikely to compete directly with the Transit Connect purely on size differences along, it will be yet another option for fleet operators. Ford really needs to be taking a good look at their Econoline vans who’s design dates back to the early 1970’s. With the advent and popularity of high-roof vans like the Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter in the US, pressure will come to bear on Ford to modernize their offering in this category.
The Econoline for instance is not conducive to simply adding a high-roof due to the curvature of its side walls. Modern cargo vans have nearly flat straight side walls that not only allow for better fittiment of interior racks, but make adding a high roof much easier from a design standpoint. Whatever happens there is no question that the commercial van market is heating up.
