Van market changes 2011-2014

[haven]

According to Edmunds Inside Line, big changes are coming to large vans in the next few years. http://www.insideline.com/future-vehicles.html

Here's what we can look forward to, according to Edmunds.

Dodge: In the 2013 model year, Dodge will import Fiat's large van.

Ford: In 2014 model year, the Econoline will be replaced by the Transit, Ford's large European van

Mercedes: The Sprinter moved back to MBZ in 2010, and will continue to be sold.

Nissan: The Nissan commercial van is available this Summer as a 2011 model. The Nissan is designed with a pickup truck front end and a tall van body on the rear. It's not clear if this is a smart move by Nissan (van buyers are pretty traditional), or if their offering will seem dated compared to the slick new Ford, Dodge and Mercedes vans.

This leaves the Chevrolet Express as the last of the conventional American vans by 2014.

Will these platforms be as useful for ExPo-style travel as the current vans are? Will we ever see factory 4x4 setups on vans sold in USA? (for example, Mercedes makes a 4x4 version of the Sprinter, but it's not imported here)

[Trey1940]

Ford: In 2014 model year, the Econoline will be replaced by the Transit, Ford's large European van

The Ford Econoline has had a great run, but i don't think it should be discontinued just yet... It will be interesting to see what companies like Sportsmobile and Explorer Conversion Vans will do with that one.

Maybe a 4x4 Sprinter SMB?

[Sandi]

Maybe a 4x4 Sprinter SMB?

Outside Vans in Oregon is doing something similar...I don't know for sure that they have 4x4 options, but the interiors sure looks drool-worthy.

http://www.outsidevan.com/vans.html

Sandi

[ThomD]

The Ford Econoline has had a great run, but i don't think it should be discontinued just yet... It will be interesting to see what companies like Sportsmobile and Explorer Conversion Vans will do with that one.

Maybe a 4x4 Sprinter SMB?

There is a one-off 4x4 Sprinter SMB on the SMB site under "used". Write 'em a check for about $98k (IIRC) and it is yours.

[Doin_It]

The Ford Econoline has had a great run, but i don't think it should be discontinued just yet

If you were using a van for work, why would you want a Econoline, in this discussion we'll say a diesel, when a diesel sprinter is both roomier, and gets twice the mileage?

Ford has had a great run, and now someone I think is doing it better, and the others need to get on board.

[wanderer-rrorc]

I have been watchin the nissan van...I think it will do very well especially since they are built on a similar platform to the current titan...some preliminary designs had AWD and 4wd listed..along with a 5cyl diesel..but nothing yet...

[dsw4x4]

Being a ford man I say bring it on.

http://www.elfnet.org/4x4-transit-county

another interesting read

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/f...nsit-gets-4wd/
little confusing I think it got awd not 4wd

It could not be more exciting in the van world than right now, with all of the changes that are going to be happening. It would be cool to get a stock 4x4 van but even if it does not happen the same people doing conversions right now will continue to do so.
Derek

[Sandi]

If you were using a van for work, why would you want a Econoline, in this discussion we'll say a diesel, when a diesel sprinter is both roomier, and gets twice the mileage?

As a small business owner with 3 Ford Econolines (gas) and 1 Sprinter (diesel), I'll take that question.

The Fords are less expensive to maintain and repair. Have you priced Mercedes dealer shop rates lately?

The Fords are less complicated mechanically - the Sprinter turbo just blew up last week, on a long drive hauling cargo. Happily, replaced under warranty, but not a pleasant thought post-warranty.

The Fords have more sturdy bodies - we rented the Sprinter out, and the renters failed to tie down stuff properly. The sliding stuff dented the Sprinter from the inside out...and dent removal places don't handle those easily.

If a renter whacks a door, we can find them in junkyards.

We live in CA - and diesels are problematic due to CARB regulations on them.

Our clients pay for the gas, so mileage is irrelevant to us.

So yes, there are instances in which the Econolines make a lot more sense than the Sprinter.

Sandi

[ujoint]

Exactly what I was thinking! Cost is a major hurdle with the Sprinters.

I'm excited about the van upcoming van market. There are still plenty of good Econoline vans out there for us to build, so lets not get too sad about it!

[ujoint]

I have been watchin the nissan van...I think it will do very well especially since they are built on a similar platform to the current titan...some preliminary designs had AWD and 4wd listed..along with a 5cyl diesel..but nothing yet...

I wonder if they'll give it a proper rear diff? That Dana 44 from the Titan aint gonna cut it. And I thought the next gen Titan was moving to the Dodge chassis? Is this still true?