Are econoline vans still made?
The short answer: no. Ford’s Econoline vans, the E-Series, are no longer produced for the North American market, with the Transit serving as the current full-size van option.
Longer story: the Econoline/E-Series line has a long history dating back to the 1960s, but Ford wound down production of the traditional full-size van for the U.S. and Canada after the 2014 model year, shifting the company's focus to the Ford Transit. This article explains what changed, why it happened, and what buyers should expect today in the market for large vans.
What is the Econoline (E-Series) and why it mattered
The Econoline, later renamed the E-Series, was Ford’s flagship full-size van in North America for decades. It served as a workhorse for fleets, tradespeople, and RV builders, offering a range of configurations—from cargo and passenger variants to chassis used for specialized bodies.
Today’s discussion centers on whether that lineage still exists as a new-vehicle option. The shift to a global Transit platform changed the landscape for buyers who previously relied on the Econoline for large-volume transport needs.
Key current-status points to consider before choosing a van:
- Ford ended new-production of the E-Series full-size van for the U.S. and Canadian markets after the 2014 model year; Transit has been the standard replacement since 2015.
- New Econoline/E-Series vans are not available in North America today. Used examples may still be on the road, but they are aging and can be costly to maintain.
- Globally, Ford leans on the Transit family as its primary large van platform, with branding that emphasizes a single, modern global van strategy.
- Other van categories (such as mid-size Transit Connect) continue to fill different market segments, but the traditional Econoline badge is largely retired in new-vehicle sales.
Conclusion: the Econoline as a new-vehicle offering in North America is effectively retired; buyers now look to the Transit for a modern, configurable full-size van.
What replaced the Econoline for most buyers?
The main replacement is Ford’s Transit lineup, which offers a wide range of lengths, roof heights, and payloads, along with modern safety and connectivity features. The transition reflects Ford’s goal of a single, globally scalable van platform rather than regionally distinct models.
Reasons driving the shift include:
- Uniform global platform that simplifies parts, servicing, and dealer networks.
- Improved efficiency, emissions compliance, and advanced driver-assistance systems available on the Transit.
- Flexible configurations that cover cargo, passenger, and specialty-body applications in one family of vehicles.
Taken together, these factors show why Ford pivoted from the E-Series to Transit as the primary full-size van solution for most customers today.
Regional status and what that means for buyers
The status of the Econoline varies by region, but the overarching trend is clear: new-Econoline vans are not being produced for North American customers, and the Transit is the standard option. Regional differences are mostly historical or related to fleet purchasing practices.
- United States and Canada: No new E-Series vans; Transit is the default full-size van since 2015.
- Europe and other regions: Transit is the common model; the Econoline badge is not used on new vans.
- Used-vehicle market: Older E-Series vans remain on the road, but availability is limited and maintenance can be challenging due to parts and age.
For buyers outside North America, Ford’s van strategy generally centers on the Transit family, with regional adaptations rather than a continuing Econoline lineup.
Summary
Ford retired the traditional Econoline/E-Series full-size van in North America and shifted to the Transit as the primary option for large vans. While the Econoline name lives on in historical references and older fleets, new-vehicle sales of E-Series vans have ended in the U.S. and Canada, and Transit now anchors Ford’s global van strategy. If you’re shopping today, expect a Transit or other modern vans rather than a new Econoline, and consider the used market only if you’re prepared to manage aging hardware.
