Ford Transit: 60 years of Europe's best-selling van

Few vehicles can boast of being on the market for 60 years and still going strong. This is the case with the Ford Transit van, which has set the pace for transport since 1965, with more than a million units of the first generation (Mk1) sold. Over six generations, it has constantly evolved: the Mk2 (1978) introduced the 2.5-liter diesel engine, improving performance and reducing fuel consumption by up to 24%, while the Mk3 (1986) stood out for its aerodynamic design with a drag coefficient of 0.37, better than many passenger cars of the time.

The Mk4 (2000) was awarded International Van of the Year for its innovative common platform for front- and rear-wheel drive and the incorporation of the Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine. Strategic expansion of the range began in 2012 with the Transit Custom, and in 2014 with the Mk6, designed for six continents, including North America, where it quickly became the best-selling commercial vehicle.

Today, the Transit offers more than 1,300 different configurations, with a payload capacity that has grown from 1,700 kg to more than 2,400 kg, and a volume of up to 15.1 m³, making it a versatile solution for any logistics need. With more than 13 million units manufactured since 1965, it is currently leading the way in electrification.

Electrification and the Ford Pro ecosystem

Electrification has been the latest chapter in the Transit's evolution, marked by the launch of the E-Transit in 2022, the first 100% electric model in the range, with a range of up to 402 km in the urban cycle for the extended-range version, 28% more than the standard battery.

This strategy extends to the entire family, with the E-Transit Custom (up to 441 km) and the E-Transit Courier (up to 438 km), as well as plug-in hybrid options such as the Transit Custom PHEV, with 76 km of electric range, and the Transit Connect PHEV, which offers up to 149 km in the urban cycle. This electric push is integrated into Ford Pro, Ford's global division that offers a complete ecosystem of vehicles, software, services, and charging solutions to maximize business productivity.

Tools like FordLiive and Ford Pro Telematics allow fleet managers to optimize routes, monitor vehicle health, and reduce operating costs, as demonstrated by companies like DHL Express and Eboca, which have improved their efficiency and sustainability with e-transit.

Supervan: from runway to myth

Within these six decades of Transit, its Supervans stand out, a series of high-performance prototypes developed by Ford Performance, which embody the model's innovative spirit, transforming the utility van into a motorsport icon.

The first Supervan, created in 1971 by Terry Drury Racing, was a true revolution: although it retained the body of the original Transit, underneath it hid the chassis and a powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine from the Ford GT40, with nearly 400 hp. This sports van could exceed 250 km/h (155 mph), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 7 seconds, an exceptional achievement for a commercial vehicle. Its design included flared wheel arches and a low center of gravity to improve stability and grip.

Up to 2,000 hp

After more than a decade, the Supervan 2 arrived in 1984, based on the Ford C100 racing car and equipped with a 3.9-liter Cosworth DFL V8 engine producing around 590 hp. Thanks to its lightweight, aerodynamic fiberglass body, it reached almost 300 km/h (186 mph), making it a true track beast. The third generation, the Supervan 3, arrived in 1994 as a more reliable evolution, with a 2.9-liter Cosworth V6 engine that allowed it to be used in exhibitions for many years.

Now in the modern era, the Supervan 4 has revolutionized the series with an electric version of almost 2,000 hp, which has broken speed records on circuits like Bathurst, demonstrating the perfect blend of heritage, innovation, and cutting-edge technology in high-performance commercial vehicles.

For all services

Beyond the numbers, the Transit has been a fundamental pillar in the community, used as an ambulance, fire brigade, and essential services vehicle, with electric versions that allow for silent, emission-free operations. The Ford Adapta program, in collaboration with the ONCE Foundation, facilitates the adaptation of the E-Transit for people with reduced mobility, offering capacity for up to three wheelchairs, reinforcing Ford's commitment to social inclusion.

In the market, the Transit's leadership is overwhelming: it has been the best-selling van in the UK for 59 of its 60 years, with 96,000 units in 2024, and accounts for one in five sales in the one- and two-tonne segments in Europe. This historic success has recently been recognized with a Guinness World Records record in 2025, cementing its legendary status.