Ford E-Series (2008)

Ford E-Series

The new 2008 Ford E-Series commercial van - America's best selling cargo vans, cutaways and passenger wagons - gets a major makeover inspired by the new F-Series Super Duty's bold new front-end design to communicate a list of chassis and suspension upgrades that increase capability and improve ride and handling. Safety and security is also improved with the addition of available traction control and features such as the advanced E-Guard Cargo Protection System™, a segment exclusive, for added door-lock security.

Ford trucks are the trucks that America takes to work. In 2006, Ford posted a 40 percent share of the total commercial vehicle market for class 2 to class 7 trucks, up 1 whole percentage point from 2005. That means that nearly half of all of the commercial and fleet vehicles sold, from F-150 pickups to F-750 chassis cabs, wear the blue Ford oval.

"Ford is the undisputed commercial vehicle leader and growing," said Joe Castelli, director, Ford commercial truck marketing. "We own 40 percent of the commercial vehicle market and nearly 500,000 new commercial vehicles on the way this year alone."

Ford E-Series vans are used for a broad range of work, including transportation of large groups in passenger vans, goods and services deliveries in cargo vans (or wagons) and more specialized applications such as ambulances that are built from cutaway models. The common denominator is that each of these customers relies on their van's durability to conduct business, transport large groups or even save lives.

Ford's E-Series lineup is building on 28 straight years of leadership as sales are up eight percent in 2007, accounting for more than half of the full-size van market after taking 50 percent of the 350,000-van market in 2006. The dominant figures include about 65 percent share of the cutaway segment, including more than 90 percent of the ambulance business in this category. Ford also re-introduced the 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine - a more fuel-efficient choice for ambulances that are constantly idling on standby - to the full-size van lineup.

The Ford E-Series has earned its reputation as the backbone of America's work force by consistently meeting customer needs, delivering capability, flexibility and dependability in an affordable vehicle.

"The E-Series lives up to the "Built Ford Tough" name," said Cristi Brown, E-Series marketing manager. "My customers consider their E-Series vans to be their largest "toolbox." It's what they work out of. It's an integral part of their business and directly affects how they make a living. They push their trucks to the limit on a daily basis. The improvements we've made for 2008 are in direct response to their ever-growing needs."

Purposeful, functional design improves capability

The 2008 Ford E-Series now looks just as tough as it is. The new design, inspired by the 2008 Super Duty, features all new sheet metal from the A-pillars forward including hood, fenders, radiator support, grille and bumpers.

"We enlarged the front end of the E-series with a bigger, bolder grille to showcase its strength and reliability," said Pat Schiavone, Ford truck design director. "We wanted to carry the distinct "Built Ford Tough" look that our truck and sport utility vehicles resemble into these capable vans."

The larger grille isn't just a part of that bold statement. It also improves capability by increasing airflow to the powertrain. The grille sits on a sharp, horizontal line that defines the upper portion of the bumper and provides a base for the unique stacked, dual-beam headlamps. Base models come with a sharp, contrasting black bumper, grille and headlamp surrounds, while the high series feature an all-chrome treatment.