Ford Transit: Six Decades on the Line and More Than 13 Million Vans Built

Ford is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its most iconic commercial vehicle. The first Transit rolled off the line on August 9, 1965, and since then more than 13 million have been built. In Europe and Turkey alone, production has reached 10.1 million units, which translates to one new Transit leaving the factory every two and a half minutes, around the clock, all year long.

In 2024, the Transit and Transit Custom together accounted for nearly one fifth of all one- and two-tonne commercial vehicles sold in Europe. That same year, an average of one Transit was purchased in Europe every two minutes.

The model’s versatility is remarkable in its own right. Today’s two-tonne version is offered in more than 1,300 configurations, not including colour choices or optional extras. Payload has grown from 1,700 kilograms in the first generation to over 2,400 kilograms today, with the largest Transit capable of carrying 15.1 cubic metres.

The Transit name has also graced some extreme specials. The electric Ford SuperVan 4.2 produces 2,000 horsepower, while the extended-range E-Transit can travel up to 402 kilometres on a single charge.

Beyond the numbers, one fact remains clear: the Ford Transit is still the workhorse that can adapt to the needs of a baker, a builder, a paramedic, or an electric vision of the future.