Key Milestones in 50-Year History of Ford E-Series, America's Favorite Full-Size Van for 31 Years
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ --
- E-Series celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special edition model for 2011 and improved options for customers with a full suite of Ford-exclusive technology
- Econoline debuted in 1961 as a commercial vehicle with three bodystyles available. The Club Wagon passenger vehicle joined a year later
- E-Series has been America's best-selling van for 31 straight years
Since 1961, the time-tested Ford E-Series has been there for customers and businesses, providing smart innovations and the right equipment to get the job done. As times and the needs of customers changed, the E-Series evolved to meet them.
Here, a few highlights from E-Series' storied history:
1961: |
Econoline is introduced for commercial customers with three bodystyles: Delivery Van, Pickup and Station Bus |
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1962: |
Club Wagon introduced as passenger and load-carrying vehicle with light towing capabilities |
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1963: |
Seat belts introduced as an option |
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1965: |
SuperVan (extended, bustle-back model) introduced midyear |
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1968: |
Second-generation Econoline vans available in three series: E-100, E-200 and E-300 (air conditioning offered for the first time) |
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1971: |
Econoline Parcel Delivery Van added to lineup |
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1975: |
Third-generation Econoline debuts with body-on-frame construction, higher gross vehicle weight ratings, improved interior package and wider selection of engines. This design was offered in the same basic configuration for the next 17 years |
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1976: |
Factory-customized, youth-oriented Cruising Van debuts with mod paint schemes, carpeted interior and porthole panel windows |
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1978: |
Econoline chassis cab model debuts |
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1981: |
Higher payloads appear on most models |
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1983: |
Super Wagon reintroduced to lineup |
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1987: |
E-250 eight-passenger Club Wagon added |
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1992: |
Fourth-generation introduced – Van and Club Wagon; Chateau Wagon is MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year |
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1995: |
Econoline attained leadership in virtually every aspect of the full-size van market with 48 percent share of its segment, 33 percent of the van conversion market, 90 percent of the Class C motor home conversion market, 40 percent of the parcel delivery van market (Econoline chassis), 90 percent of the ambulance market (Econoline commercial cutaway chassis) and 39 percent of the passenger van market (Club Wagon) |
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1997: |
New standard V6 engine offered along with the 6.8-liter V10 |
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2001: |
E-Series name debuts in Ford literature, along with the E-150 Traveler van targeted for families |
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2005: |
Powertrain options now include V8, 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel and V10 |
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2006: |
Last E-Series model produced at Lorain Assembly Plant in Ohio |
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2007: |
First E-Series model produced at Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake |
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2008: |
E-Series debuts as strictly a commercial vehicle; features best-in-class capability, an improved chassis for better durability and handling, cargo security technologies and the return of the diesel engine option |
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2011: |
E-Series, America's best-selling van for 31 years, celebrates its 50th anniversary by offering premium Ford-exclusive technology like SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system and industry-exclusive Ford Work Solutions™. E-Series vans are available in E-150, E-250 Super Duty and E-350 Super Duty regular and extended-length configurations. Wagons are available in E-150 and E-350 Super Duty regular and E-350 Super Duty extended-length configurations |
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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