The company is utilizing the Ford Transit Connect and also the Ford E-Series vans as part of their continuing efforts to build a more fuel-efficient fleet and streamlined transportation system.

According to Jason Pucely, senior manager, Best Buy Fleet Operations, the selection of the Ford Transit Connect was dictated in many ways by the company’s new operating model, which drives to deliver superior client service through more efficient scheduling, inventory management and transportation systems.

“We’re streamlining all of our activities,” he explained. “We’ve developed a more effective routing system, and we’re more efficient with the tools and parts we carry when we do our work. That has enabled us to put the same technician doing the same work in a smaller, lighter vehicle.”

Pucely says the Ford Transit Connect offers the functionality Geek Squad technicians require to get their work done, while not compromising on some of the space requirements that a full-size cargo van offers.
In addition to the cost and environmental benefits, Pucely foresees other advantages.

“Our technicians typically carry diagnostic equipment, motors and other electronic parts, so having the side access panels will make it easier for them to get to the equipment they need,” he said. The unique appearance of the Ford Transit Connect promises to be an added bonus, adds Pucely.

“A distinctive vehicle has been part of the history of Geek Squad in the marketplace,” he said. “We value our fleet as a tool to enhance our brand messaging, and the Transit Connect will certainly help in that effort.”

Among the tens of thousands of spiffed-up new and classic cars garnering oohs and aahs from the crowd at one of the largest automotive events in the world was a rather unique-looking Ford Transit Connect wrapped from front to back with Marygrove’s distinctive logo and sporting colorful, striped roof-mounted awnings that extended out from the vehicle on both sides.

Mike Falahee, owner of Marygrove Awnings, says the cruise down Woodward Avenue generated a lot of interest in the Transit Connect – and in his company.
“It’s amazing how much attention it gets. People were coming up just to see the vehicle,” he said. “But they weren’t just looking at the Transit Connect, they were inquiring about our products as well.”

The Marygrove Awnings Transit Connect was custom designed to be a mobile showroom for the Livonia, Mich.-based business, which is one of the largest retractable awning companies in the country. Falahee says the vehicle has helped improve sales by 15 percent since its purchase in March.

“The vehicle is paying for itself time and time again,” he said. “And the reason is because customers can touch and feel the product and see how it works. You can’t do that if a guy walks into your home or business with a catalog.”

The roof-mounted awnings actually demonstrate the product. One side shows the manual operation of the awning, and the other side shows the motorized function.

“What’s nice about having the display up on the roof of the Transit Connect is that it gives enough height so that our customers can get underneath the awning and really feel the comfort of the awning when it is projected,” said Falahee.

“And by taking the Transit Connect to a customer’s home, we can actually place the awning in the same direction of their patio. If they have a western exposure, for example, the Transit Connect is so maneuverable we can easily turn the vehicle sideways so that they can get a feel for the element of shade at a particular time of day,” he said.

Marygrove Awnings conducts business in Southeastern Michigan, Texas and Ohio. Currently, the company has two Transit Connect sales vehicles – one in Michigan and one in Texas.

“Our vehicle in Texas has even more bells and whistles, including an onboard computer,” said Falahee, referring to Ford Work Solutions™, an in-dash computer that allows employees to access appointment scheduling and billing information online. “We also installed a slide-out
30-inch flat screen television inside one of the doors so that we can show videos of various awning applications. It’s ideal for home and garden shows.”

Falahee says the company recently purchased two more Transit Connects. “It’s been an extremely great product for us,” he said. “We’re very happy with it.”

According to Len Deluca, director, Ford Commercial Vehicles, Marygrove Awnings’ experience with the Transit Connect shows what businesses can accomplish with creativity and imagination.

“The Marygrove Transit Connect is not only cool, but it is another example of the vehicle’s versatility to meet the needs of our commercial customers,” he said.

Source: Ford News

Styling is evolutionary of Volkswagen’s new corporate face, looking a lot like a Golf with a tall rear flank. Versions of the new Volkswagen Caddy will range from the plain wrapper cargo van to full blown consumer grade passenger vans. There is even a Westfalia-like camper van version. All versions are available with a removable second seating row too.

Both the cargo and passenger versions of the Volkswagen Caddy are similar in size and proportions to the Ford Transit Connect which has gone on sale this year in America. Competing head to head across Europe, the Caddy and Transit Connect share much in common including their front-wheel drive car based chassis platforms.

Among the available TDI engines is the very same 2.0 liter clean diesel that we can option on the Golf and Jetta here in the United States. So theoretically should Volkswagen look at bringing the Caddy here the natural tendency would be to offer the TDI option. This would make the Caddy a very attractive competitor to the Ford Transit Connect since it is only available with a gas engine.

Like the Ford Transit Connect however, buyers in Europe can option a natural gas version, the 2.0 EcoFuel (CNG), which delivers an output of 109-horsepower. EcoFuel was offered on the previous generation Caddy as well.

In Europe the Caddy sells at a base price of about $17,500. If exported here it would likely be priced similarly to the Ford Transit Connect who’s base price is about  $21,200. Volkswagen has not made any announcments that they intend to offer the new Caddy vans here in the States, but with Fiat considering bringing their Euro mini hauler over the thought has to be getting some serious passing around in the office.

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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.

The suspect item is a push pin that holds the headliner panel in place on both the right and left sides at the “B-Pillar”. This would be located at the rear portion of the door opening. The pushpin according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not meet head injury requirements.

It is alleged that in a crash, theses push pins could cause an increased risk of head injury. Ford will be notifying owners and dealers of the recall. Ford will replace the parts free of charge starting around July 19th.

Owners can contact their dealers for more information. They can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The recall number is 10C13.

The conversion from larger full-sized vans to the Transit Connect will help the company achieve one of its green initiatives, according to Dan Kratz, director of Fleet Operations, Safety-Kleen.

“Replacing older cargo vans with new, more fuel-efficient vehicles is part of an initiative to green our fleet,” he said. “The Ford Transit Connect offers significant fuel savings over traditional cargo vans – 24 mpg versus 15 mpg. We also anticipate having less maintenance costs because the oil change intervals are longer with the Transit Connect.”

Transit Connect will be used by members of Safety-Kleen’s sales staff who work in 160 locations throughout the country. While fuel and cost savings are the main incentives, Kratz says there are other benefits to Ford’s small compact van.

“We conducted a survey with our sales folks, and they said they wanted a vehicle that was more urban-friendly – something they could maneuver more easily through congested city streets,” he said. “The Ford Transit Connect will fit the bill perfectly and still allow for ample cargo room.”

Safety-Kleen sales representatives routinely carry samples of products, such as windshield washer fluid, the company’s Eco-Power recycled oil and hand wipes. Kratz says the lower height of the Transit Connect will make it easier to get products in and out of the vehicle.

“We’ve had a test vehicle that we’ve wrapped with our company logo and upfitted with shelving,” he said. “It’s certainly more comfortable to load and unload because there is no lifting to the height of a traditional cargo van.”

An unexpected bonus with the Ford Transit Connect, says Kratz, is the attention the vehicle attracts on the road. “Because of its unique shape and size, it attracts notice from people on the street,” he said. “These vehicles will provide a lot of exposure for the company from a marketing standpoint.”

In fact, Conlon is so confident of the Transit Connect Taxi package – which goes into production and arrives in dealerships later this year – he’s already put in an order for 25 units.

What drove Conlon’s decision – and is driving interest among other taxi companies – is the Transit Connect’s alternative fuel engine prep package, which enables conversion to efficient, clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane (LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas).

Both CNG and LPG are popular among taxi operators because of their low cost of ownership. California Yellow Cab of Santa Ana will convert its Transit Connects to CNG, to take advantage of the availability of natural gas fueling stations in Orange County. With the acquisition, Conlon expects California Yellow Cab to become the first taxi company in the Southern California to operate half of its 220-vehicle fleet on natural gas.

“California Yellow Cab started to use natural gas in 2002 before there were many refueling stations,” Conlon said. “Now that the infrastructure has built up, we’ll be able to help protect Orange County’s air quality even more with the Transit Connect. It’s a perfect fit for our drivers, and its roomy, easy-to-access interior will appeal to our customers as well.”

The flexible interior of the Transit Connect is well suited for both taxi service and conversion to CNG and LPG. The vehicle’s 135 cubic feet of cargo space accommodates a compressed gas tank while leaving ample passenger legroom and cargo capacity.

To serve taxi operators, Ford will provide calibration guidance for the CNG or LPG conversion. By properly following Ford’s recommendations, the conversion can be completed without voiding the engine’s warranty.

Conlon was one of many taxi operators to place orders for the Transit Connect after seeing the vehicle at the recent Taxicab Paratransit Association’s (TPAC) annual convention in California.

“Everyone wanted to see the Transit Connect – it was the hit of the show,” said Steve Wood, co-owner of South Bay Ford in Los Angeles, one of the largest service dealerships in the U.S. “Once they hit the streets, every taxi operator is going to want them.”

Driving interest in Transit Connect Taxi in California is the mandate of many of its municipalities adopting standards for fleet operators to use cleaner, low-carbon fuels. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CNG is less expensive and burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in 30 percent to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. Propane also burns cleaner than gasoline.

“Compressed natural gas and propane offer more than sufficient power for vehicles because they are high-energy fuels,” said Rob Stevens, Transit Connect chief engineer. “Another natural benefit for these fuels is they provide overall lower emissions of greenhouse gases compared to gasoline. Additionally, using CNG or LPG provides operators lower fuel/operating costs for their fleet.”

Nearly 87 percent of natural gas used in the United States is domestically produced, contributing to a greater desire for energy independence. There also are government tax credit incentives for fleets to convert to alternative fuels.

Transit Connect is just one of several Ford vehicles that offer CNG/LPG conversion capability. Ford has shipped more than 3,000 CNG/LPG-prepped engines for its E-Series vans with 5.4-liter and 6.8-liter gas engines. A similar package will be introduced for F-Series Super Duty trucks this year.

Transit Connect Taxi offers an outstanding interior package for people and cargo. With its open architecture, the taxi provides excellent interior headroom and passenger visibility. The vehicle’s rear seat has been moved back 3 inches to maximize passenger comfort. The 6.5 inches of ground clearance allows passengers to step easily through the dual sliding doors. Additional climate control ventilation has been added for rear seat passengers.

The Transit Connect Taxi also features a wiring upfit package with a hole in the roof for signage, vinyl front and rear seats, vinyl flooring and standard third-row windows – all factory installed. Additional installation of taxi modifications such as roof signage and the optional seating partition are handled by taxi upfitters in local markets.

“Transit Connect already has proven it offers tremendous versatility for commercial fleet use,” said Gerry Koss, Ford fleet marketing manager. “The Transit Connect Taxi, combined with the capability for CNG/LPG conversion, further demonstrates its flexibility.”

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The company best known for their Hummvees, and the production of the Hummer H1 and H2 for General Motors has been idled quite a bit in the past years with the fall of the Hummer brand. Additionally, the government has look in other directions for their vehiclular needs.

Ford will begin shipping Transit Connects with out powertrains to AM General in Michigan, where the Azure Dynamics electric-powertrain will be installed. Production should begin later ths year with sales of the new Transit Connect EV to begin in early 2011.

According to reports AM General has don’t a lot of piece work of this type not only for military projects, but they were the ones who built a fleet of 350 electric mail trucks for the U.S. Postal Service back in the 1970’s

“We’re very impressed with the Transit Connect,” said Mark Cohen, director, Licensing Division, Boston Police Department. “It’s the closest thing to a purpose-built vehicle for taxi use that I’ve seen in 25 years.”

Boston, the 10th largest metropolitan area in the United States, regulates which types of vehicles can be used as taxicabs in its city streets. To be approved for taxi use, a vehicle must meet basic size requirements for headroom, legroom and cargo space.

“The size, shape and configuration of the Transit Connect make it comfortable for both driver and passengers,” said Cohen. “When the Ford Crown Victoria goes out of production next year the taxi industry here in Boston and throughout the country is going to be looking for alternatives. I think the Transit Connect Taxi fits the bill.”

The roomy, flexible interior of the Transit Connect – 2010 North American Truck of the Year – is perfectly suited for taxi service. Its open architecture provides excellent interior headroom and passenger visibility and, with 6.5 inches of ground clearance, passengers step easily through the sliding doors.

With its standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine and automatic transmission, the conventionally powered Transit Connect is expected to deliver an estimated 30 percent improvement in fuel economy versus many of today’s traditional taxis.

Because taxi operators also asked for a version that runs on alternative fuels, Ford is offering new engine prep packages that allow conversions to both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied propane gas (LPG).

“The vehicle’s cargo area easily accommodates CNG tanks directly behind the second-row seat, still allowing ample luggage storage,” said Gerald Koss, Ford fleet marketing manager.

Both CNG and LPG lower taxi fleets’ operating costs and are better for the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CNG is less expensive and burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in 30 to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. Propane also burns cleaner than gasoline.

Built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform tested to meet Ford’s light commercial vehicle durability standards, Ford’s new Transit Connect Taxi also features a wiring upfit package, vinyl flooring and standard third-row windows – all of which are factory-installed.

“We really tailored the vehicle to provide comfort and convenience for both driver and passengers,” said Chief Engineer Rob Stevens.

He and Koss spent a good part of 2009 taking the Transit Connect Taxi concept to taxi owners and operators in major markets across the United States, gaining valuable feedback that helped Ford further refine the taxi.

“We moved the rear seat back three inches, added a grab handle for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle, and we installed a ventilation unit to heat and cool the second row,” said Stevens. “We also added vinyl seats, which taxi operators said they wanted because of their durability.”

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With plans to order a total of 3,000 Transit Connects, ADT, a Tyco International company based in Boca Raton, Fla., will replace nearly half of its North American fleet with Ford’s new compact van.

The Transit Connects will be driven by thousands of ADT technicians who install and service security systems for millions of residential customers throughout North America.

ADT tested the Transit Connect in a pilot program with its technicians and found it to be the right vehicle for the job.

“The Transit Connect seems to work well for ADT residential and small business installers and service technicians – especially those in congested, urban areas,” said David Wade, ADT Supply Chain and Fleet Group director. “It is much easier to maneuver and park than a larger commercial van, and it offers ample cargo-carrying capacity for supplying our residential and small business customers.”

Jerry Augustine, an ADT small business installer in Arizona, was one of 35 technicians who took part in the five-week pilot program, designed to gauge drivers’ opinions of the Transit Connect. He likes the ease of retrieving parts and equipment from inside the Transit Connect. “Everything is very accessible through the side and rear doors,” he said.

Augustine says he was initially concerned about the size of the vehicle. “I was afraid it wouldn’t hold all of the equipment I need to carry,” he said. “But after using the Transit Connect for a while, I found that it was actually very convenient. Not only can I store as much equipment as I need, but it’s a lot easier to access.”

Participants in the pilot program completed a weekly online survey answering such questions as: Compared to your existing van, how is the comfort and feel of the Transit Connect? How does it handle? Do you have enough space to house your equipment? Do you like the way it looks?

Wade says the technicians initially were reluctant to switch vehicles: “But we found their perception about the Transit Connect changed dramatically over the five-week period,” he said.

Replacing larger, inefficient vehicles is part of ADT’s company-wide program to save expenses, increase fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative also conforms with “Vital World” – Tyco International’s global program to create a greener future.

According to Wade, the large commercial vans – which represented 95 percent of ADT’s total fleet – resulted in an annual fuel cost of $30 million. The Transit Connect offers significant fuel economy with a rating of 22 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Replacing 3,000 large vans with the Transit Connect would save ADT approximately $5.3 million per year.

Comfort and convenience also were important considerations, especially since ADT technicians spend an average of 2,000 miles per month on the road. A big benefit, says Wade, is the driver’s side cargo door.

“Imagine being a field technician who goes to multiple jobs per day,” he explained. “With the Transit Connect, he or she can literally open the driver’s side door, take one step, open the side door, and have immediate access to tools and parts without having to go inside.”

ADT Security Services helps provide peace of mind protection to more than 5 million residential, commercial and government customers in North America. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., ADT employs 24,000 people at more than 240 locations in the U.S. and Canada.