As Ford Authority reported last week, The Blue Oval recently revealed a host of potential future models to its dealer network via a meeting in Las Vegas, which included a variety of potential Ford Mustang variants such as a four-door sedan, an off-road-focused model, an RTR-modified EcoBoost, and a possible Shelby GT500 replacement. That list also included a small van based on the Ford Maverick compact pickup, which could wind up sharing quite a bit with that model.
According to Automotive News, dealers that attended this meeting noted that the new compact van “resembled a regular Maverick pickup with a tall bed cap,” signaling that it may share more than just a platform and potentially mechanicals with the pickup. Otherwise, it’s unclear what the new van will be named – it could potentially use the Ford Maverick nameplate, revive the Transit Connect moniker, or perhaps be called something different altogether.
In either case, the Ford Maverick based van is expected to debut as early as next year, and it could be offered with both hybrid and regular gas powertrains. It is expected to be built alongside the Maverick and Ford Bronco Sport at the Hermosillo Assembly plant in Mexico – which is precisely where Ford previously planned to build a next-generation Transit Connect, which was slated to ride on the C2 platform that underpins both of those models. However, Ford ultimately decided not to go that route amid falling compact van sales in the U.S.
This news is certainly interesting following FoMoCo’s decision to discontinue the Transit Connect in North America after the 2023 model year, though there are still some new 2023 models available for sale across the U.S. However, the Transit Connect lives on in Europe, albeit as what is essentially a rebadged Volkswagen model stemming from the partnership agreement those two automakers forged a few years ago.
We’ll have more on this new Ford Maverick based van soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Call it an Aerostar
If the dealer network left happy, I’d be shocked. Yes, a new small van fills a void, but it’s by far not the most urgent thing to work on. And all those unnecessary Mustang variants, pass the barf bag. You are beyond messed up these days, Ford.
Can they call it the “Goose”?
Call it the Probe although that name may make more sense on a Bronco. Galaxy could be considered.