Ford Crafts a One-Off Transit SSV Powered by a 3.2-liter Turbo Diesel

Continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1970’s with the creation of the GT40-based Supervan 1, Ford has lifted the wraps off the next evolution of its SportVan bloodline, the one-off Transit SuperSportVan (SSV). Revealed on Tuesday at the Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC in the UK, the SSV combines the smallest body available in the Transit lineup with the biggest diesel in the range. Read more »

Ford Transit SportVan Limited Edition goes Red

Four years after the presentation of the Transit SportVan and Ford UK continues to release special edition variants of its commercial vehicle. Following the sold-out limited production models finished in Performance Blue with white stripes (500 examples), Sea Grey with silver stripes (80), Panther Black with silver stripes (500), Frozen White with blue stripes (80) and Ink Blue with silver stripes (150), Ford is now launching the Transit SportVan with a Colorado Red paintwork and Le Mans-style white bonnet stripes.

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Ford and Chrysler Group Recalling Certain Models

The Chrysler LLC Group and Ford Motor Co. have announced two separate (and not related) recalls on some of their vehicles.

Starting with Ford, the Detroit automaker is recalling a total of 33,728 of its 2010MY Transit Connect vans manufactured from December 5, 2008 through May 31, 2010 over a potential safety issue concerning the retention pushpin located on the headliner above the B-pillar trim on both sides of the vehicles.

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Boston Says "Yes, Please" to Ford Transit Connect Taxis

The city of Boston, Massachusetts has become the first city in America to officially approve of Ford's Transit Connect (2010 North American Truck of the Year) as a taxi.

Mark Cohen, Boston PD Licensing Division director, says this about the Transit Connect: "It's the closest thing to a purpose-built vehicle for taxi use that I've seen in 25 years." I guess he's never been to the UK...

For many places, the issue with replacing the large, Panther-based Crown Victorias has been the regulation of vehicles that are allowed to perform taxi duties. A successor would have to meet various size/measurement/cargo/safety standards before approval, and the city of Boston has deemed the TC Taxi worthy of the job.

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Ford Stops Production of Transit in China Over Accelerator Pedal Issue

While Toyota is the main car manufacturer to be affected by the faulty accelerator pedals (not to be confused with the floor-mat related sticky accelerator issues) made by Indiana-based supplier CTS Corp., it isn't the only one.

The Associated Press as well as the USA Today reported today that Ford has halted production of its Transit Classic van in China because it has a similar type of pedal assembly made by CTS as the ones blamed for Toyota's recall in the States.

"When anybody has an issue in the industry, we check everything about the Ford system and production process," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally. "It's our assessment right now that this is very isolated."

It is also reported that Toyota has issued a new recall of 75,000 vehicles in China for the same matter.

Earlier today, Toyota said that it is investigating the issue on its European models also.

Thanks for the tip 3Deuce27! , Via: USA Today