Ford officially launched the new Transit Connect for the North American market, a compact commercial van.

Ford first announced a year ago that the Transit Connect, a spacious new fuel-efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles, would be available in 2009.

Transit Connect arrives with a global reputation for durability and toughness dating back to its 2003 launch, when an expert jury of European commercial vehicle journalists named it International Van of the Year.

"This workhorse is like nothing available today in the American market," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development.

Ford Transit Connects offers:
-- 135 cubic feet of space, with a 1,600 pound payload
-- Cargo doors open at 180 degrees, or optional 255 degrees
-- 59.1 inch load height and 72.6-inch load length
-- Dual sliding side door access
-- 39-foot turning circle

Transit Connect has more than twice the cargo space of the Chevrolet HHR Panel and a larger payload than the full-size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck.

Transit Connect can be configured with bulkheads, racks and shelving to suit specific needs, and with Ford Work Solutions allowing a driver to:

-- Conduct business with an in-dash computer
-- Track on-board tools and inventory with Tool Link
-- Track the fleet with Crew Chief

Ford Transit Connect is designed, engineered and manufactured to beat tough, light commercial vehicle durability standards. Powered by a Duratec 2.0-liter I-4, Transit Connect is expected to deliver at least 20 city and 24 highway mpg, pending final EPA fuel economy certification. A 14.7-gallon fuel tank enables a projected range of over 350 highway miles.

Transit Connect is part of a family of Transit commercial vehicles offered across Europe. Since the introduction of the Transit Connect, Ford's share of the European light and medium duty commercial vehicle market has doubled to 34 percent. In record-setting 2007, Ford sold 109,900 Transit Connects and 224,915 Transits in Europe.

More info: www.ford.com