Ford marks 60 years of the Transit van
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Ford Transit celebrates 60 years
Ford Transit is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary in 2025, growing from a single model in Europe to an entire fleet of models worldwide.
The Transit has been the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle for 59 years, accounting for over a quarter of the total LVC sector in 2024. The occasion was marked with celebrations at the 2025 CV Show.
Nathaniel Cureton Content Editor
Nathaniel Cureton Content Editor
Since the initial success in the UK, Transit has grown into a global success story with global popularity including China and America, along with Europe. Ford says the Transit remains at the centre of the company's forward-thinking approach, as it hasthey have since the launch of the Transit in 1965.
Today, Ford says commercial vans support £1 trillion in economic activity across Europe, with Ford Transit playing a significant role in the livelihood of millions of people.
“The words ‘iconic’ and ‘legendary’ are often overused but both are applicable when it comes to the Ford Transit in the UK.
“Most of us rely on the humble Ford Transit every single day, whether it’s delivering goods, transporting people or mobilising business and trade services – Transit is an essential tool to get the job done.”
How did it all begin?
In 1965, the Transit replaced the Ford Thames which had been around since the mid-1950s and was seen as a breath of fresh air to UK motorhome converters. As popularity grew, the Transit frequently appeared in motorhome buyers guides such as Canterbury Plainsman (high-top), Auto-Sleeper, and Holdsworth.
From 1965 to 1972, the Transit was built at Langley, then Southampton became the new centre of Transit production. In 1978, the styling of the front end was updated.
The new design was commonly known as the Mk2 Transit, despite being officially called the ‘LCX/LCY’. Eleven years after its launch, in 1976, the one-millionth Ford Transit left the production line with the two-millionth coming in the mid-80s.
The Mk2 Transit continued in production until 1985. It was then replaced by the ‘VE6’ or more commonly known as the Mk3 Transit.
To celebrate the occasion, a 1965 Mk1 Transit and a Supervan 4.2 was displayed on the Ford Pro stand at the 2025 CV Show in Birmingham.
Also found in Hall 5 were the new all-electric range, including the new E-Transit Courier, plug-in variants of the Transit Connect and Transit Custom, the E-Transit Custom and the new E-Transit enhanced range.
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