√2023 Ford Transit van and cab-chassis orders resume

Ford Australia has re-opened order books for two of the three Transit body styles available in Australia – while the electric version has been with hit new delays.

Australian orders for the full-size 2023 Ford Transit van and cab chassis have re-opened after they were paused five months ago – in November 2022 – amid parts shortages.

However, the order pause remains in place for the Transit bus until Ford Australia “can get through the existing customer order bank,” the company says.

“We are now taking orders for 2023 arrivals of Transit. There are extended wait times across the Transit range. Your local Dealer will be best placed to share the latest on current availability,” a notice posted on the Ford Australia website says.

MORE: Ford Transit orders paused in Australia

“Production delays continue to impact Transit Bus. We are doing our best to fulfill current customer orders as quickly as we can. As such, new orders for the Transit Bus will be paused until we can get through the existing customer order bank.”

The pause on orders is not believed to be related to the introduction of a new-generation Transit, which is expected to still be a number of years away.

The previous two Ford Transit van ranges have had model cycles of 14 years – which would mean the next generation is not due to be unveiled until 2028, unless it is pulled forward to meet new safety or emissions rules.

Meanwhile, the local arrival of the electric version of the Transit van – the Ford E-Transit – has been pushed to April 2023, Ford Australia’s website says.

A reason is not given for this delay of about three months – from January 2023, as of August 2022 – however it may have been influenced by parts shortages and production slowdowns in Europe.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the electric Transit, though previous estimates based on overseas pricing have placed it at about $70,000 plus on-road costs, or 15 per cent more than the diesel version.

The smaller Transit Custom – a twin under the skin to the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter van – is due in local showrooms by the end of this year in diesel form, ahead of an electric version next year.

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