August 9th, 1965. Langley, England, and the very first Ford Transit rolls off the production line. I don’t think any of us could have predicted the impact the van would have on businesses, the economy, and our everyday lives. For the past 60 years, vans in all shapes and sizes, including the Transit, have been at the heart of Europe’s economic growth.

It’s tricky to quantify just how much impact Transit has had on us. But if businesses that depend on vans formed an EU member state, their national output would be the 6th largest. That would put it ahead of Sweden, Ireland and Austria.¹ In fact, in 2023 the amount van-related businesses contributed to the EU and UK economies was €1 Trillion, and Transit would have helped to play a significant role in that.

What was the secret of success for that first Transit back in 1965? Like footwear, one van size doesn’t fit all so, the product was conceived with a comprehensive range of models to meet the differing needs of business customers. Very soon after the initial launch we not only added longer versions of its panel van to the Transit range, but also chassis cab variants, allowing specialist converters to build bespoke vehicles exactly to customer requirements.

You needed a Luton van for house removals? Transit had you covered. You ran a scout group, or needed to move goods and people to site? Passenger carrying minibuses and dual-purpose Kombi Transits rapidly became available.

Looking back, I think that vans from other manufacturers had often been marketed on a ‘what you see is what you get’ basis but, from the outset, Transit was designed with the real-world user in mind. A flat loadspace floor made it easy for the driver to load and unload the van, and a forward-mounted engine allowed for a more comfortable, spacious cab which didn’t intrude into the loadspace.

I’m sure that we’re all familiar with seeing Transits that bear the logos of big, well-known firms such as parcel delivery companies or utility services, but, 99 per cent of firms in the EU are classed as small businesses. Throughout these 60 years we’ve continued to develop Transit, recognising the needs of smaller enterprises and their critical importance to the economy.

“Dry cleaners want tall van compartments for their clothes deliveries. Bakers want high-roof vans to accommodate the many shelves they require. Greengrocers need exceptionally wide trays. Confectioners need larger compartments”

Ford Transit advertising material, 1967

Flexibility and a rapid response to customer demands became an intrinsic part of our operation, and as a result fleet customers quickly adopted the Transit.

Across Europe, companies responsible for vital infrastructure such as power and railways together with emergency services introduced the vehicle to their fleets. They could take advantage of our Special Vehicle Operations department when their requirements were for vans to carry out unique roles, needing bespoke equipment.

“There are six decades of know-how built into every Transit and each new generation is built on the feedback and experiences of our customers”

Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe

Our Ford Pro customers come in almost infinite shapes, sizes, trades and professions. Take Gwenyn Gruffydd, a honey supplier based in deepest Wales, UK. Owner Gruffydd Rees operates from multiple counties across the region and maintains over 400 beehives. He uses a Ford Transit Custom van to take products to farmers markets, and to deliver equipment to customers.

“ Knowing that we can rely on our Transit Custom helps us concentrate on the success of our businesses and doing what we love every day”

Gruffydd Rees, founder and owner of Gwenyn Gruffydd honey company, Wales

We’re all used to being connected, 24/7 and the Transit family is no exception with all vehicles fitted with an integrated modem. Services such as the FORDLiive connected uptime system, Ford Pro Telematics and even the FordPass app for the driver help to improve efficiency and keep unscheduled, and expensive, downtime to a minimum. Services that are utilised by German roofing firm Dacher von Hunold across its fleet of 13 Ford commercial vehicles.

“Time is money, and our vehicles need to be running”

Thomas Potthast, managing director of Daecher von Hunold roofing company, Germany

Technological advances continue to march on, and with Ford Pro’s Special Vehicles team developing in-house products such as the digital upfit solution, allowing ancillary equipment to be operated from a single screen, customers such as the London Ambulance Service and The AA can provide a more efficient operation. This benefits us all.

And when it comes to electrification, it's estimated that small businesses could save €14,000 per van over three years by making the switch. Here at Ford Pro we are perfectly placed to continue being a trusted business partner to our customers, with fully electric E-Transit Courier², E-Transit Custom³ and E-Transit⁴ all available to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

But, making the transition to electric vans isn’t purely about cost savings. Businesses also want to partner with their communities, displaying a commitment to operating in an environmentally friendly way. Heidinger Bakery in Frankfurt is such a company.

“The E-Transit isn’t just good for business. It aligns with our values”

Stefan Walther, managing director of Heidinger Bakery

Here at Ford Pro, all of us who are involved with the design, manufacture, sales and support of the Transit are incredibly proud of how for 60 years the van has been at the heart of the European economy. Through thick and thin the van has supported both businesses and economic growth and we have all either directly or indirectly benefitted. I’m looking forward to many more years of the same.

Brendan Lyne is Director, Marketing and Sales, Ford Pro Europe

¹May 2024 report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimating the economic activity in van-dependent industries across five national markets, plus the EU. Commissioned by H+K Strategies and Ford Motor Company.

²Up to 288 km driving range based on full charge of E-Tourneo Courier. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes and should only be compared with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g. weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery). The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO2-emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.

³Up to 337 km driving range based on full charge of E-Transit Custom. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes and should only be compared with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Actual range varies due to factors such as temperature, driving behaviour, route profile, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and condition.

⁴Up to 402 km driving range based on full charge of E-Transit with extended range option. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes and should only be compared with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Actual range varies due to factors such as temperature, driving behaviour,route profile, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and condition.