DEARBORN — Technicians for the fourth largest cable operator in the United States, Charter Communications of Stamford, Conn., will soon drive brand-new 2015 Ford Transit vans.
Charter recently ordered more than 800 low-roof, regular-wheelbase Transit vans for its technicians. These vehicles are used to transport equipment for installing and servicing Internet, TV and phone customer homes across 29 states.
“Charter Communications’ choice of the low-roof-model Ford Transit allows its installers the ability to maneuver in tight parking spaces and garages, while offering almost 56 inches of cargo height with rear cargo doors that open up to 180 degrees for easy loading and unloading,” said Kevin Koswick, director, Ford North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations.
Charter is one of the first large fleets to order the new full-size 2015 Transit van, which went on sale in June.
Charter syas it selected Ford Transit due to its superior fuel economy and cargo space. Upfitting convenience was also a factor. The new Transit is built near Kansas City, Mo., home to Charter equipment installer Auto Truck.
When the Charter team drove Transit at a March ride-and-drive event, the van’s handling, tight turning radius and panoramic windshield view sealed the deal.
Said Kathy Carrington, senior vice president of corporate services at Charter: “The handling, safety features, cargo space and fuel efficiency were all contributing factors to our choice and our technicians will be well equipped to serve our customers with these trucks.”
In the United States, Transit replaces America’s best-selling van for 35 years, the E-Series, first sold in 1961 as the Ford Econoline. Transit was introduced in Europe in 1965, and has been the best-selling commercial van in the United Kingdom for 49 years. The vehicle is sold in 118 markets on six continents.
In some configurations, the 2015 Transit offers as much as 75 percent more cargo volume than the largest E-Series, helping customers save in fuel costs and time associated with having to make a second trip. Transit’s maximum payload is more than 600 pounds greater than comparable E-Series vans.