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• Ford is refusing to confirm that it plans to

22nd June 1995, Page 17
22nd June 1995
Page 17
Page 17, 22nd June 1995 — • Ford is refusing to confirm that it plans to
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introduce a semiautomatic Transit to the range, even though the idea is well under development.

Commercial vehicles manager Mike Platts will only say that this is one of many advanced designs that Ford and several competitors are evaluating.

However, Commercial Motor understands that Ford is serious about the concept and feels that if launched as an option in a couple of years' time there would be healthy interest from Transit operators, particularly stop-start delivery companies.

Fully automatic transmission has been available on both petrol and diesel-powered Transits for many years, but it costs £1,555 extra on some models. Semi-automatic "clutchless" gearboxes could reduce this premium by almost half.

Ford does not seem to favour auto vans. The Transit is the only van in the range with an auto option although Ford was one of the pioneers of "stepless" CVT automatic transmissions.

An automatic is only an option on Fiesta cars while the Escort isn't offered as an auto due to lack of demand, says Ford.

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