Back in August of 2022, Ford Authority reported that the next-generation Ford Transit Connect had been officially canceled, and that it would exit the U.S. market by the end of 2024. However, the van will live on in Europe, where the redesigned 2022 Tourneo Connect was recently revealed as a rebadged Volkswagen Caddy with the same drivetrain options and output. Now, The Blue Oval itself has confirmed to Automotive News that the Ford Transit Connect in fact has been canceled for the North American market following the conclusion of the 2023 model year.
In a statement, Ford said this decision was made as part of its “efforts to reduce global manufacturing cost and complexity, alongside decreased demand for the compact van segment.” Ford currently imports the Transit Connect from Spain, but was planning on building the next-gen version in Mexico on the Ford C2 platform, which already underpins the Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Maverick. The new, Europe-only model will ride on Volkswagen’s MQB platform like the Tourneo Connect.
Small van sales have been in decline for some time now, so this move doesn’t come as a major surprise. This likely also played a big part in Ford’s decision to exit the U.S. market in that regard, while it continues to expand its full-size Transit lineup with the all-electric E-Transit and the forthcoming Transit Trail, which is an off-road-focused variant already on sale in Europe that recently joined the automaker’s U.S. lineup as well.
Unfortunately for those looking to purchase a 2023 Ford Transit Connect, order banks for the van closed back in February, while wagon order banks closed just last week. However, dealers will continue to be able to place stock orders for these models through the duration of the 2023 model year, though those orders could be impacted by ongoing supply chain constraints.
We’ll have more on the next-gen Transit Connect soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Transit Connect news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
That gives a fleet company no confidence in Ford…..they keep giving up on models…i see a lots of these small vans on the road..there a good markets for small vans…and lots of diferent brands on the road….Ford product planners….just throw in the towel….not understanding what there commercial customers need….they sell more of these than EV Transits….that battery range is only a couple of 100 miles when loaded…
It’s based on a vehicle that’s going out of production and a plant that is being converted to produce a new generation of vehicle.
This segment is also contracting and other makers are exiting it too.
No surprise the market is declining. You can’t buy one. I don’t think there is one within 100 miles of me, according to inventory search.
JR, exactly correct. I have owned three cargo transit connects. I wanted to buy a new one in 2020 but covid ruined that plan. Then I wanted to buy one after covid. Ford went nuts – 40k for a small cargo van! I paid 26k for my 2018 XLT (not XL folks) . Last year, I could not find any to buy. This year they have a smaller motor, are 40k, and you don’t get to choose the interior. They are all XL, with the cheesy looking brown interior. You have really let me down Ford. I was a loyal customer. I would have gladly bought another and another as this van segment is perfect for my business. Not sure what tone deaf fool made that decision. Probably the same idiots who cancelled the Astro van at GM – the most popular work van in history.
This is very unfortunate as there is/was a market for the van. There are lot of people who use them for travel, something easy to use for young families and geezers. They were easy to get in and out of. They were easily modified for a camper travel van.
Now the only options are the minivans from Asia and the Pacifica. They are much larger, and just not the same.
For commercial use it is obvious that Ford is trying to get its customers into the huge van or a Maverick. They can’t keep up with orders now. If they push for commercial users to buy them they will never keep up.
Keep an eye open for what comes out of Blue Oval City Assy Plant.
I’m thinking in order to sell product you must promote the product. I can’t tell you the last time I saw any type of ad for the Transit Connect. I’m betting the market department would love to market this vehicle. However, the woke management has their heads stuck up their butts and can’t see the forest for the trees
Nothing says ignorant head far up butt than gratuitous incorrect use of the word “woke”.
RWFA, all criticism of Mr. Willie’s literary prowess not withstanding, I have bought three transit connects and I see them all over the road in my south eastern city. Every manufacturer that is offering vans of this size in this segment is cancelling their small van program at the same time. So, if you want to roll into a mercedes metris tough nugies. If you want a Nissan B200 (who would), nope. What is up with these fools?
The big three have been neglecting to advertise anything other then their pickups.
I started buying Transit Connects for the fleet I ran, it was a much better platform for a small work van then most anything else.
As an ardent commercial delivery driver for about 3 years, I really loved using the Transit Connect. It was very easy to get in and out of, and it was very versatile for loading and unloading merchandise for our commercial clients. And it’s visibility while being driven was a great safety factor. The main drawback we observed while using the Transit Connect was that it had terrible traction while being driven in snow, which occurred quite often during the winter months in Wisconsin. I even envisioned buying a Transit Connect for home traveling use. But it looks like that envisionment will no longer become reality.
I imagine the BEV replacement will have an AWD option.
Also Ford Edge slated to be discontinued after 2023 model year. Been a lifelong Ford customer, but the pickin’s are getting pretty slim at Ford.
Keep your eyes peeled.
They were supposed to be moved to the plant in Mexico where the Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Escape are made and redesigned, but understand that plan was scrapped. Hopefully they have something else up their sleeves. I really would like a small all wheel drive van.
I have a 2014 with the 2.5 and 6 speed for my work vehicle.
Very impressive and tough as nails. I been beating the hell out of this thing for years now. Never warm it up just start and foot to the floor. This thing gets hammered from every stop sign and red light. Red line every day over and over. It’s never been back to the dealer for any repairs. I did do the brakes once and it’s had one new air filter. Gets oil changed every year.
That 2.5 and 6 speed is the toughest combination I have ever come across..
Imagine if it is replaced by a BEV analogue, you will be able to beat it harder and it will still need less service while being more reliable.
RWFA, the EV market demands some things that most ordinary citizens can’t provide or find: no one except rich people have a home charging station and/or solar panels. There is no convenient way to get a fast charge to ‘fill your tank’. The range on most EV’s stinks. They can set your house on fire just sitting in the garage or sitting in the garage charging. I just saw a news story in my city where an EV caught fire in the garage just sitting there. Exciting? Not really.
3 years ago we traded a 2015 Connect for a 2020 Connect. We paid a little over 19K for it New. A zero options van without windows, 2.0L engine. 1 year ago, we get a letter from the dealership saying they wanted to buy back out van offering 30K for it. We decline to bite. The van has been getting new performance parts installed and there’s not much more we can do to it or want to do to it, But drive it. Our best accomplishment was finding a set of 19″ wheels with the Nokian tires. Our next best accomplishment could be installing a 28mm performance sway bar and 40mm rear lowering springs direct from Netherlands. The most difficult part, is that we’ve had to locate performance parts in Europe, Netherlands and Australia, as no one in the US has anything or simply doesn’t want to waste time trying to figure if their parts will fit the van.
To add to my voluminous rants above, Ford has been completely mum about what is replacing the Transit Connect or if there will be a replacement. For a loyal Ford van buyer, this incenses me. I have 140k miles on my ride and I want to know what is going on so I can plan my year ahead. You have really let me down Ford!!
Bunch of geniuses a Ford . # 1 selling small fleet van .
#1 selling small van in Europe .
I’m glad I got my 2023 in late December .