Ford Transit Connect Passenger Van: It Exists
Posted by Doug DeMuro in It Exists on | 7 comments
It Exists: Ford Transit Connect Passenger Van
Most people know that Ford imports the Transit Connect from Turkey as a passenger van, rips out the seats and windows at the port, and throws them away. Most people also know that this is due to a bit of legal minutiae called the “Chicken Tax.” This has been well-covered elsewhere, but the gist is as follows.
In the 1960s, we made a lot of chickens. And VW made a lot of flatbed pickup truck versions of its flower power-style Bus. The Germans got mad that we were exporting so many chickens, so they started taxing them. Because we all know “an eye for an eye” is the only diplomatic policy that really works, the US retaliated by taxing light trucks. This put American farmers out of the German chicken game and foreign automakers out of the light truck game.
Fast-forward to now, and Ford – a domestic brand – is the only automaker who now imports a light truck: the Transit Connect. Everyone else builds them in house right here in the non-union US of A, except for the Honda Ridgeline, which comes from hell.
Anyway, to avoid the Chicken Tax, Ford imports the Transit Connect as a passenger vehicle (with seats) and rips them out at the port, which makes it a commercial vehicle. No tax, and everyone is happy – especially the port workers who probably have home theatres furnished with Ford Transit Connect rear bench seats.
But did you know that, once in a rare while, they leave the seats and windows in?
That’s right. There’s a passenger version of the Ford Transit Connect, and there has been since it debuted in 2010. No one buys this vehicle, but it exists for reasons unknown to anyone. It’s not really a minivan competitor, since it only has five seats. Yet it’s sort of a minivan competitor because it’s heinously expensive: a decently-equipped Transit Connect – including the $65 key fob option – runs close to $27,000 with shipping. Add rear seat DVD players and a (surprisingly attractive) roof cargo basket, and you’re pushing $30k.
At that price, I think it’s better for everyone if they take the seats out.
7 Responses to “ “Ford Transit Connect Passenger Van: It Exists”
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My mother actually had a passenger wagon as a daily driver! She shows dogs so she’s always on the look-out for tall, versatile van shaped things. Previously, she had two Elements. The Transit isn’t terrible to drive, but the little 4 banger is raspy thing and the fuel tank is too small. It seemingly needs a refill every time you turn around. Still, it gets the job done!
You’re preaching to the choir! I would happily consider one, if only for the weird factor.
Why I am repulsed by minivans but attracted to these things, I have no idea.
It’s the Imp of the Perverse, which haunts all people who read websites like this one.
I want one with the running gear out of 2013 Focus ST. Thanks, Imp!
I’d consider one if it came with a diesel and a manual!
I actually saw one of these in the last couple of weeks. Can’t remember where I saw it, but it had a bunch of windows like the one above. I was baffled by it but didn’t really think too much about it after I brushed it off as another weird Transit Connect (but with extra windows!). Looks like Ford’s site is only showing the upcoming 2014 models. I hope they offer the TC wagon in brown. And a diesel with 3 pedals is preferred as well.
Spent some time at the auto show looking at the next gen of these – I believe it will be powered by the 1.6 turbo in the Escape & Fusion and come in 5 or 7 passenger formats, each with their own wheelbase. As someone with a family and always on the look out for something different, consider me intrigued…