Ford Transit Now Available in Malaysia
Shah Alam, 22 July 2014 – Ford has finally launched the Ford Transit since putting it on show during the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show in the last quarter of last year. Locally-assembled at Sime-Darby/Innokom’s plant in Kulim, the Ford Transit is a welcome addition to the van market, offering a large-sized vehicle in both panel van and window van form for the commercial and private users here.
The Ford Transit is no stranger to Malaysians, having been around since the 1960’s. The last time Malaysians could buy a Ford Transit was about a decade ago – the Transit was discontinued due to flagging sales and customers’ complaints of insufficient power.
Now it is back, and at an appropriate time to fill a vacuum in the market for a good and reliable van that is bigger than the Toyota Hiace. The new Transit now comes with a 2.2 litre common-rail diesel fitted with a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) engine – this is the very same engine that is found in the Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCi, a well proven workhorse. In the Transit, the engine has been re-tuned for 155PS and increased torque of 385Nm. Drive is to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission.
Suspension is MacPherson strut type at the front, while leaf springs hold a solid axle at the rear. Brakes are ventilated discs for the front and solid discs at the rear. The handbrake operates on the rear wheels via a drum –in-disc arrangement.
Safety features are pretty comprehensive, and in addition to dual airbags for driver and front passenger, Hill Launch Assist, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Program (for window van only) are available.
Two variants are offered; the panel van comes with a high roof, and a payload of 1,400 kilograms, and plenty of space. The window van has a medium roof, and various configurations are available, with possibilities as a tour bus, passenger van, ambulance, Bas Sekolah, and many other applications. It would have been even more versatile had it been available with a high roof, but I suppose that variant would be available later
Prices for the Ford Transit, for Peninsular Malaysia, on-the-road without insurance are as follows:
Panel Van: RM139,888 (Company Commercial Registration)
Window Van: RM146,888 (Individual Private Registration)
