What…is that thing? The question came up more than once in our week with the panel van / truck / urban box known as the Ford Transit Connect. In fact, we're not sure we know how to answer it ourselves. Unlike most vehicles on the market today, it simply doesn't fall into any typical category. Ford says the vehicle is "specific for everyone," but after a week we think the TC might not be exactly designed for our needs. Nevertheless, we consider it one of the most interesting vehicles we've been in and it's packed with features that we can't help but tell people about. For people or stuff? There are two main types of TC: Van and Wagon. The difference between the two is that the Wagon version comes with rear glass and seats, whereas the Van version is more of a panel van. Two wheelbase lengths — XL and XLT — offer size variations, but that's about it. Adding to the simplicity theme, there's only one powerplant: a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine, meaning fuel economy is decent for a vehicle of this type. Remember that the only alternatives to this sort of thing are larger, full-size vans such as the Ford E-series, Chevy Express, Dodge 2500 van, and the currently-unavailable Dodge Sprinter. Fuel numbers for the TC could improve if the company upgrades the transmission (the only one available right now is a four-speed with overdrive) and offers a direct injection version of their four-cylinder. Ford insiders tell us these could come down the road, but the Transit Connect needs to be cheap in order for it to make sense for buyers here and loading it up with engine technology would not be the way to do that (the current price starts at $20,780 — less than $2,000 more than the Chevy HHR panel, a vehicle with less than half the cargo space and not nearly the same usability). With that baseline spare of options, the Transit Connect turns into something of a chameleon for its owners. And that's what we really like about it. VIDEO: Click below to watch our video on the Ford Transit Connect. Unique Innovations While the Transit Connect might seem about as exciting as a root canal, after a week we found ourselves wishing it would stick around our fleet. Of the things we loved about it, here are our favorites:

• Work Solutions computer: The brains of Ford's "workplace solutions" system is actually a computer they've stuck in the center console. While it looks like the average navigation system (and yes, it's got one of those), it's actually much more powerful. Once the system loads (it does take a few minutes), you have access to the sorts of things you'd find on your laptop: there's word processing, email, a web browser and a host of other functions. Ford includes a wireless keyboard with trackpad, too. You can even hook up a printer so you can give a customer an invoice or a quote on the go.

• Tool Link: In conjunction with the tool company Dewalt, Ford developed a way for you to keep track of all the tools in your vehicle. Using an RFID system (radio-frequency identification), your tools get "tagged" and the system checks to see if they're all are within the vehicle. If any of your tools are missing, they show up when you do your inventory, preventing the hassle of leaving without one. Although primarily for tools, anything can be wrapped — think fishing poles, sports equipment, etc.

• Fold-out doors: The Transit Connect has a massive opening in the rear in which to put about 135 cubic feet of your stuff. What's great is that the doors won't get in the way of all the loading and unloading you'll do, since the TC's rear doors swing open and stay held to the side of the vehicle by a simple — but ingenious — use of door magnets.

The reality is that while these innovations were designed mostly for commercial usage, they're fantastic beyond that workaday usage. In fact, we'd go as far as to say we've seen more innovation here than we find in most luxury cars. Why? Because this stuff is actually useful, as opposed to the sometimes ridiculously unnecessary "luxury" found in higher end sedans and SUVs. Is the Transit Connect for everyone? No, but we hope that everyone working at a car company today gets a ride in one to see how they can innovate their products for their consumers.

Reilly Brennan

Editor-in-Chief, AOL Autos

Gary Yeomans Ford Lincoln Mercury in Daytona Beach has over 50 Transit Connect In stock.

2009 Ford F-250 Super Crew at Gary Yeomans Ford

Gary Yeomans Ford Lincoln Mercury,  a leader in commercial vehicles sales in Central Florida delivered their  last 2009 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4×4 to Hot Action Sportswear from Ormond Beach. Kenny Tuter, one of our Certified Business Professionals  gives many thanks to Hot Action Sportwear for doing buiness with our dealership.

Hot Action Sportwear is a leader in the Promotional Products Business. Visit them online at http://www.hotactionsportswear.com/.

Ford Transit Connect Named Truck of the Year

January 10, 2010

Gary Yeomans Ford Business Preferred in Daytona Beach,Florida

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect handily hauled home the 2010 North American Truck of the Year. The award was announced at a 2010 North American International Auto Show news conference.

The Transit Connect is part of the Ford global portfolio of products, and was introduced to North America in 2009 to meet the unique needs of small business owners. The Transit Connect is a spacious, fuel-efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles, and it’s ideal for navigating U.S. cities.

The 2010 North American Truck of the Year recognizes the most outstanding vehicle of the year based on many factors, including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially changed from the previous model. The jury is comprised of 50 automotive journalists in Canada and the United States, representing newspapers, magazines, web sites, television and radio shows.

This is the 17th year of the award, and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect was selected above nine other competitors. Ford has a bit of experience winning this award. Most recently, the F-150 was the 2009 North American Truck of the Year. A Ford vehicle has taken home the honors five times; more than any other brand.

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect is a global Ford product that can be adapted to multiple commercial business applications. It has more than double the cargo-carrying space of the Chevrolet HHR Panel, and it offers users a cargo payload of up to 1,600 pounds, which means that it can carry a larger payload than the full-size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck.

With 135 cubic feet of Transit Connect cargo volume, no other vehicle in the American market can deliver this combination of capacity and fuel economy.

Transit Connect is powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 engine with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The vehicle offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans with a rating of 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

More than 600,000 Ford Transit Connects have been sold since 2003, to customers in 58 countries and on four continents.

Please contact us   for more information on the 2010 Transit Connect!

Gary Yeomans Ford Commercial Truck Division

Since the early 1960’s, Ford Fleet has remained committed to being the industry leader in all aspects of the fleet business—from our class-leading products, programs, processes, and performance, to our best-in-class people.

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From strong, versatile trucks to complete, flexible financing, a commercial vehicle from Ford is your clear choice. Be sure to check out the complete line of Ford Commercial Trucks, including E-Series, F-Series Super Duty Chassis Cabs, F-650/F-750 and Ford LCF

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