The Ford Transit van is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, marking six decades since its first model rolled off the production line on August 9, 1965. This iconic vehicle has become synonymous with reliability and efficiency, serving as a crucial tool for businesses and communities across the UK and globally. Over its continuous production run, the Transit has evolved significantly, adapting from a foundational load carrier to a modern, high-tech powerhouse featuring connected and electrified powertrains.
Initially launched to serve European customers, the Transit quickly expanded into a global success story, with over 13 million units produced worldwide. The vehicle's enduring appeal is highlighted by the fact that a new Transit van was purchased approximately every two minutes across Europe in 2024. The current Transit lineup, offered by Ford Pro, includes the Courier, Connect, Custom, and the larger two-tonne Transit, all available with electrified options and full connectivity to Ford Pro's support services.
Ford is marking this milestone with celebrations, including showcasing a 1965 Mk1 Transit and the record-breaking Supervan 4.2 at events like the CV Show in Birmingham. The company is also launching its "Power Promise" package for small business customers purchasing new all-electric commercial vehicles, offering benefits such as discounted chargers, free service plans, and battery warranties to ease the transition to electrification. The Transit's legacy is built on continuous innovation and customer insights, with its role in supporting economic growth demonstrated by a report from Ford Pro and Cebr, which found that van-related businesses contributed around €1 trillion to the economy across the EU and UK in 2023.