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IamJerryP · 09-13-2014, 08:19 PM

I anyone aware of any companies working on the new Ford vans as a B class RV yet???
That are showing up late to the Sprinter type Van game, but Ford is the big kid on the block for vans...So maybe they can win back what their late start has given away
Chevy is riding the bench on this one.. shame

http://www.ford.com/commercial-truck...sitcommercial/

wanderso · 09-14-2014, 12:57 AM

They're all over Europe. Have to think the manufacturers will demo some examples soon.

wincrasher · 09-14-2014, 02:59 PM

True that Transits are all over Europe. But the Ducato/Promaster is the leading van for conversion to RV use.

IamJerryP · 09-14-2014, 07:02 PM

I did a quick price check on a transit van...Pretty much as expensive as a Mercedes Sprinter, apples to apples.
Mercedes proven,
Ford unproven
I am disappointed at this point by Fords entry into the competition

gggplaya · 09-15-2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamJerryP

I did a quick price check on a transit van...Pretty much as expensive as a Mercedes Sprinter, apples to apples.
Mercedes proven,
Ford unproven
I am disappointed at this point by Fords entry into the competition

The only real benefit of a Ford is that they have the largest dealer network in the country. Not sure how many will work on commercial vans, but i've been all over the country, and even the smallest towns in america will have a ford and chevy dealership. Which means you wouldn't have to worry about getting towed too far for service.

wincrasher · 09-15-2014, 08:36 AM

I think Ford has changed their business model. They don't intent to be a low cost leader in any segment. All thier offerings are on par or just slightly higher than their competitors. They see they have good PR and quality just as good if not better than the premium makes.

Whether this will play out in their favor in the RV segment remains to be seen. People will have an expectation that the Transit will be less expensive choice than a Sprinter, regardless of the features, quality history or the specifications. So if prices are equal, people may just opt for the Mercedes as there is the perception (real or imagined) that it's premium.

gggplaya · 09-15-2014, 09:07 AM

I'm just glad ford is working with quigley on a 4x4 conversion. They are also local here in York PA.
4x4 Vans : Quigley Motor Company, Inc. > News and Events > News & Events Detail

Obviously you can't do any extreme offroading with it due to poor departure and cresting angles of a van. But it would be nice for crappy third world countries poorly maintained roads, winter travel, and boondocking a little off the road into soft dirt.

Sprinter is going to release their 4x4 version next year, fully factory supported.

So by 2015, you'll have 2 vans with 4 wheel drive. Sprinter charges an $8k premium for 4wd, and quigley generally charges about $12k for their conversion.

IamJerryP · 09-16-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wincrasher

I think Ford has changed their business model. They don't intent to be a low cost leader in any segment. All thier offerings are on par or just slightly higher than their competitors. They see they have good PR and quality just as good if not better than the premium makes.

Whether this will play out in their favor in the RV segment remains to be seen. People will have an expectation that the Transit will be less expensive choice than a Sprinter, regardless of the features, quality history or the specifications. So if prices are equal, people may just opt for the Mercedes as there is the perception (real or imagined) that it's premium.

Well I do not think for as second I am smarter than them, and what you say sounds correct.
However, that attitude pretty much got them slaughtered for decades when they did not worry about Japanese imports, and they have never really fully recovered market share from that debacle.
We have those Mercedes vans running all over the place around here, and this is a Ford town where they have 2 factories.
Every time I see one of the Sprinters, I think to myself that could have been a Ford, if ford had been thinking ahead.
Fed ex, plumbers, and other trades, and delivery companies are buying tons of the Sprinters.
I live in an area with a lot of Russians, and they own a lot of those quick delivery over the road companies, and they all use the Mercedes vans,

wanderso · 09-16-2014, 11:34 PM

Well, ford even with its foibles, didn't need a government bailout and commands a sizable and growing market share, so there are some things they are doing right. The transit probably should have been here sooner or a true revamp of the E Series, but even so the E series is the best selling full sized van in the US for the past 33 years with 48% of the market. (For example, they could have invested in a weight diet for the E Series and improved engine efficiency like what is happening with the F150).

I'm glad that mileage is finally seen as an item to improve upon and look forward to further innovation by all manufacturers.