Maverick Van Updates?

[Scott Asheville]

Don't forget that it was shown to dealers before tariffs. Also, keep in mind that the Hermosillo plant is maximized right now. Not saying the van will or won't arrive. I hope it does. But the political-economic landscape has changed since it was shown to dealers.

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[AutobahnSHO]

I think the Maverick would make a decent van platform- just don't see it being super profitable and they're still not able to make as many Mav pickups as they'd like.

 

[yldman56]

Haven't seen updates about it in a long time. Anyone else hear anything since it was announced last year?

I would call it a Panel Truck more than a van, something for light duty delivery, like flower or pizza shops. I could only see Ford doing that if Maverick sales dropped, also remember where they build the maverick, they also build the escape and bronco sport models. So unless they add capacity or move production somewhere else I would say that it’s a long shot.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I can understand that, mine was a bit small.
The full size Transit is what a van should be.

I have experience with the Connect not Transit) and Transit (not Connect).
I currently have a T250 MR 3.7 and use it for work, hauling stuff, and as a campervan for trips.
I rented a Connect V2 for a couple weeks when we went to our daughter's graduation in Savannah.
I have a friend who had a Connect V1 when they first came out, and I made campervan accessories for them (kinda hard to make a Connect V1 into a campervan, but it worked).

The T250 MR is great other than mpg. And turning radius. As I mentioned above, drop in a hybrid system and get 25mpg and it would be great. My '03 Sprinter 148 HR got over 25mpg, but it was diesel with minimal emissions junk. I reluctantly replaced it with a Transit because Mercedes/Dodge only offered diesel, and emissions junk ruined any financial benefit of having diesel. Made it worse than having a gas engine, actually.

After driving the Connect2 (not Transit) for a couple weeks, I was impressed. It was a titanium trim level, got great mpg, and drove really well. There was plenty of room for the many suitcases and boxes our daughter had after moving out of the dorms, and we still had two rows of seats available. I understand that Ford discontinued all minivans and had the Connect (not Transit) re-worked to take their place. This was a couple years ago, and I considered getting one to drive when I didn't need the capacity of the T250. Fast forward: I got a Maverick XL to fill that purpose, and it's better in several ways. Mainly mpg, but also purchase price.

SO; I believe Ford would do very well to offer a minivan/miniSUV based on the Maverick platform. But they'll have to jump on it and get it to market before Tata and BVD and others start offering their vehicles in Merkuh. Maybe Ford could do that thing where they make a deal with one of those mfgs and just put Ford badges on them. i.e; I had a Dodge Raider, which was a 2dr Mitsubishi Montero hardtop jeep thing. Ford sold Mazda pickups as Fords for a while. They could do the same thing again. There are a lot of people so stupid that they buy the BRAND and could care less about anything else. Put Ford badge on a VW Bug and they'd swear it was made in Merkuh and better than the German VW Bugs; who copied Ford.

 

[dochawk]

isn't the back wall of the cab structural, though? if so, wouldn't the whole "frame" need redesign?

 

[Scott Asheville]

It would also, in it's current form, be a very high lift-over and step-in height for a van. Not competitive with dedicated van platforms at all.

If I had to guess, and my guess is as clueless as anyone else's guess, I'd say an affordable small van would most likely be built on the new Skunk Works small/affordable BEV platform. Designed to be inexpensive and easy to purchase, own, and operate. Built in the USA, so no tariff issues. If Ford can execute on what they've publicly promised, I'd put my money on a BEV small van - which may or may not be called "Maverick Van".

Oh, and here's a looooong shot. Ford buys Slate. Ford builds Slates. Slates become the next Maverick.

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