New Transit Connect Wagon could be the answer for active baby boomers and entrepreneurs

Actor Jim Belushi and Ford vice president U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service Mark LaNeve and introduce the Ford Transit Connect Wagon at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 in Chicago. The Transit Connect Wagon features all-new gas and diesel engines and a suite of driver-assist technologies, including standard Automatic Emergency Braking. (John Konstantaras/AP Images for Ford Motor Company)

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With space for up to seven, 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon easily switches from work to play to accommodate entrepreneurial small business needs, hobbies and grandkids. Transit Connect Wagon offers segment-exclusive diesel engine and new driver-assist technologies, including standard Automatic Emergency Braking. ( Photo by Ford Motors)

New Transit Connect Wagon could be the answer for active baby boomers and entrepreneurs

By HB Meeks
Tell Us USA News Network

CHICAGO - Ford has reinvented the van for Baby Boomers whose idea of rocking doesn’t involve a chair.

Ford unveils the redesigned Transit Connect Wagon at the Chicago Auto Show. The last Transit Connect Wagon won over Boomers-born from 1946 to 1964 that grew up driving vans that were a combination of affordable and fun with cargo hauling capabilities.

At 111 million strong and holding 63 percent of American financial assets, the 50+ demographic is the number one consumer demographic in the United States - far exceeding Gen X’s 61 million and Millennials’ 75 million. And one in three Boomers plans to purchase a car in the next three years, according to AARP.

With room for five to seven passengers and offering easy conversion to cargo duty, the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon can convert from business to everyday adventures with relative easy.

The wagon offers all-new gas and diesel engines with all-new 1.5-liter EcoBlue® diesel engine is targeted to return an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating* of at least 30 mpg highway and a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection comes with Auto Start-Stop as standard equipment. It too comes mated to the all-new 8-speed automatic.

A suite of driver-assist technologies, including standard Automatic Emergency Braking, with Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection to help avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians who might accidentally cross in front of the vehicle’s path.

“Baby Boomers have always embraced life’s adventures and to them age is just another experience to master,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “From being easy to get in and out of, plus flexible seating and cargo space, Transit Connect Wagon makes it convenient for Boomers to keep enjoying family time or explore new hobbies and careers.”

Available in two wheelbases to accommodate five or seven passengers and in three trim levels, XL, XLT and Titanium, Transit Connect Wagon can be built to meet the needs of any customer. A spacious, flexible interior makes loading cargo a cinch. Dual sliding side doors provide added convenience, and available roof rails extend its versatility with any number of accessories that can be fitted to the roof to haul bikes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards or luggage.

Transit Connect Wagon’s new instrument panel is centered on features that are both useful and straightforward – an available 6.5-inch floating touch screen, a digital driver information center in the cluster, and available wireless charging for your mobile device. Coming soon, Waze compatibility will help drivers steer clear of troublesome traffic spots. Staying connected is easy thanks to the standard embedded 4G LTE modem providing Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices and available SYNC® 3 with Ford+Alexa personal assistant functionality.

The Transit Connect Wagon is expected to be one of the most affordable seven-passenger vehicles in the United States. The long-wheelbase model has more interior cargo volume behind the first row than the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, making the task of getting oversized items home a snap. And with a turning radius of just 38.3 feet for the short-wheelbase van, getting around busy streets is easy.

For those who need to tow a trailer, Transit Connect Wagon is expected to offer unsurpassed towing capability of 2,000 pounds when paired with the available trailer tow package. The 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon goes on sale this fall.

*Final EPA 2019 Transit Connect Wagon 1.5-liter EcoBlue® diesel engine fuel economy estimates are expected in early 2019. Actual mileage will vary.