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Sep 7, 2012 12:30 PM

Ford introduced its  all-new full-size  Transit commercial van – due to be introduced in the North American market  next year – in Amsterdam Thursday, as well as a redesigned and updated version  of its compact Transit Connect van.

  Mike Levine, Ford  truck communications manager, told Fleet Owner that only “subtle” exterior changes will mark the difference between the  European and North American versions of the Transit van – a vehicle that will  feature Ford’s new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine along with others, as  well as an optional diesel powertrain.

  The full-size Transit  – to be built at Ford’s Kansas City assembly plant and representing a $1.1  billion investment by the OEM – will weigh about 200 lbs. less than the  E-Series van it is earmarked to replace and should provide up to a 25%  improvement in fuel economy versus the E-Series line.

  Levine stressed that  Ford plans to continue building the E-Series line through 2014, allowing for a  year’s worth of “overlap” between the Transit and E-Series models.