What happened to the Ford E Series?
The Ford E-Series van line was largely retired in North America after the 2014 model year, with the Transit assuming its duties beginning with the 2015 model year.
Once Ford's staple full-size van for cargo, passengers, and commercial use, the E-Series was phased out as Ford shifted to the Transit platform. This article explains the timeline, the rationale behind the transition, and how the E-Series legacy persists in fleets and the used-vehicle market.
Timeline of key events
The following milestones sketch how Ford moved from the E-Series era to the Transit era in North America and beyond.
- 1960s–early 1990s: Ford expands and updates the full-size van line, commonly referred to as the Econoline and later branded as the E-Series.
- Mid-2010s: Ford announces and implements a shift away from the E-Series for US/Canada fleets in favor of the Ford Transit.
- 2015 model year: Ford Transit becomes the standard large van in North America, replacing most E-Series cargo and passenger van sales.
- Late 2010s–present: The E-Series name largely exits new-vehicle production in North America; Transit remains Ford’s primary full-size van platform. Some E-Series configurations persist in fleets and used markets but are no longer offered as current-new vans.
In summary, Ford ended new E-Series van production in North America and pivoted to the Transit, marking the end of an era for daily-use full-size vans while leaving a legacy in existing vehicles and fleet configurations.
Current status and legacy
How the transition looks today for buyers, fleets, and enthusiasts provides a fuller picture of the E-Series' fate beyond the showroom.
- Replacement by Transit: The Transit is now Ford’s primary full-size van in North America, offering a modern platform, improved efficiency, and updated technology.
- Fleet conversion: Many fleets that previously relied on E-Series vans have migrated to Transit or other alternatives, depending on mission requirements and regional availability.
- Used and legacy stock: The E-Series name survives in the used-vehicle market and in older inventory; parts support continues through Ford’s network for vehicles still in service.
Today, the E-Series lives on mainly as a historical reference and within fleets that still operate legacy units, while Transit dominates new-vehicle sales for large vans.
Summary
The Ford E-Series era ended in North America when Ford discontinued new E-Series vans around 2014, with the Transit phasing in as the primary full-size van from 2015 onward. The E-Series legacy remains in older vehicles, used-market interest, and some specialized fleet configurations, but Ford now standardizes its large-van lineup around the Transit for new purchases and replacements.
Does Ford still sell E-series vans?
No, Ford does not still make Econoline vans as full-body passenger or cargo vehicles; they were replaced by the Ford Transit after the 2014 model year. However, the E-Series platform, which is the foundation of the Econoline, is still in production as a cutaway and stripped chassis model for commercial applications like buses and ambulances.
- Full vans retired: The Econoline was retired as a full-bodied van after the 2014 model year, and the new Ford Transit took its place.
- Commercial chassis continues: The E-Series is still available in cutaway and stripped-chassis versions, which are used to build custom vehicles like ambulances, shuttle buses, and other commercial applications.
- Legacy platform: The E-Series cutaway chassis remains popular for heavy-duty commercial purposes because its platform is considered more rugged than the Transit for certain applications.
Why did Ford stop making the E-series?
In June 2014, production of E-Series passenger and cargo vans was discontinued as sales of the Ford Transit began in North America; at the time of its retirement, the model line had been the best-selling full-size van line in the United States since 1980.
Why are Ford Mach-E not selling?
On Wednesday, the NHTSA posted a recall issued by Ford for 197,432 Mustang Mach-E electric cars. Ford also issued a stop-sale due to the issue, but importantly not a stop-drive order. This means dealers can't sell a Mustang Mach-E, but Ford isn't telling owners to stop driving their vehicles.
Why was the Ford Econoline discontinued?
Ford stopped making the Econoline as a passenger van in 2014 to replace it with the more modern Ford Transit. The Transit offered better fuel efficiency, more cargo space, and a more comfortable, European-style unibody design. While the Econoline name was retired for consumer vans, the basic Econoline platform continues to be produced in the form of the E-Series cutaway chassis for specialty commercial vehicles like RVs and upfitters.
- Replacement by the Transit: The main reason for ending Econoline production was to transition to the newer Transit model, which was seen as a more competitive and modern full-size van.
- Technological and design improvements: The Transit's unibody construction offered advantages in fuel efficiency, handling, and overall comfort compared to the older Econoline's body-on-frame design.
- Continued commercial production: Ford still produces the Econoline as part of the E-Series line, but only in the cab-chassis cutaway configuration for specialized commercial use. This allows upfitters to build custom vehicles, such as RVs, out of the chassis, which is still a popular and stout platform.
