Powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 engine with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, the
Transit Connect offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans, delivering an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The Transit Connect also has more than double the cargo-carrying capacity of the Chevrolet HHR Panel, making it suitable for a broader range of commercial-use applications. And it offers commercial users a cargo payload of up to 1,600 pounds – a larger payload than the full-size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck.

The Transit Connect also is available with the industry-exclusive Ford Work Solutions™, a suite of affordable technologies that provides customers with connectivity, flexibility, visibility and security to better run key aspects of their business.

On Transit Connect, Ford Work Solutions delivers three innovative features:

• A wireless in-dash computer that provides full high-speed Internet access, Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calling and navigation. The system also allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks right on the job site.
• Tool Link™, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system that enables customers to maintain detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment.
• Crew Chief™, a fleet tracking, telematics and diagnostics system that provides dynamic location and performance data fleet owners need to more efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites, monitor driver performance for safety and economy, and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.

Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect include:

• 2010 Editors Choice for Vans by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
• Detroit Free Press 2010 Truck of the Year
• The Detroit News 2010 Truck of the Year
• 2010 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award for Best Workhorse Vehicle
• A Great Car for the Small Business Delivery/Utility Worker by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com

In a poll of journalists at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Ford Fusion Hybrid was named North American Car of the Year while Ford’s Transit Connect was named Truck of the Year.

More than 50 vehicles were considered in the voting, with the Fusion Hybrid finishing ahead of the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagon Golf. The Transit Connect finished strong over the Suburu Outback and Chevrolet Equinox.

The Car and Truck of the Year sweep shows another example of Ford’s growing strength of the competition.

The decision to retrain Ford engineers to work on the electric vehicle development has begun in Dearborn MI. The first series of courses that engineers will attend will help prepare them for the future, and introduce them to new tools that are being developed. They’ll be working alongside companies like Azure Dynamics and Johnson Controls who along with Ford will be producing the highly anticipated battery electric Transit Connect van.

Starting in January 2010, the engineers will begin the courses in preparation of new manufacturing, engineering and testing procedures for working with battery electric vehicles, including Ford’s Transit Connect. The Transit Connect battery electric commercial van in 2010 promises to be the ideal fleet vehicle, which has virtually no competition in the US as of yet.

The use of an electric commercial vehicle is a wise move by Ford in getting a vehicle on the market that has significant potential to replace older and less reliable work vans for various businesses. Businesses spend a considerable amount for fuel, maintenance and repair of fleet vehicles so it makes good sense to provide these vans to companies like electrical, plumbing and other types of uses.

Ford partnered with Azure Dynamics to supply their Force Drive battery electric drive train for the Transit Connect. Azure Dynamics will use Johnson Controls, the worlds largest battery manufacturer, to provide the lithium-ion batteries for the Transit. The range is estimated to be approximately 80 miles on a full charge.

On December 10th 2009, The Detroit News named Ford’s Transit Connect Truck of the Year for 2009.