A reliable source has informed CAR that the Ford Transit van will be coming to South Africa in 2013. Reliable, with a large carrying capacity, easy to drive and even fairly fuel efficient; the Transit is considered by many as the quintessential goods carrier for small businesses. The UK has taken its affection for the Transit one step further, as it is almost part of British culture and even given its driver a special name: “the white van man!”
It is a pity that Ford has only recently cottoned on to the fact that our market will be perfectly suited to a vehicle such as the Transit – but better later than never. The previous generation model (code name V34x) was, and still is, a robust product that gets the job done. With the option of many powertrains and layouts (front and rear-wheel drive, and body styles) there has always been a Transit to meet any need – from plain vans and chassis cabs with tipper load beds to passenger transporters.
The new Transit (code name v36x) will be much better looking but still promises the same qualities as the previous generations. Expect the powertrains to be similar to those found in the current Ford Ranger bakkie range; namely the 2,2 and possibly 3,2-litre common rail diesel engines. These modern powertrains deliver plenty of power combined with good fuel consumption.
Hopefully South Africans will also embrace the product and find out for themselves that the Transit offers appreciably more space and carrying ability than a bakkie. Plus it is lockable (safe) and drives as easily as a passenger vehicle.
