2009 Ford E-Series Commercial Van By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net A lot of us use full-size vans in our businesses.  Whether are you doing so now or in the past 20 years or so, it is a good bet that you have used the Ford E Series commercial van for delivery or as a service van.    Today, Ford is unveiling their new 2009 model E-series Van at a show in Atlanta.  No, I’m not on-location for this one, but I am impressed with everything I have heard about this new commercial vehicle.

In a brief summary, Ford has redesigned the interior to make it more user and family friendly.  A lot of family members get active and help in a small business on many occasions, and Ford has recognized this.  There is an all –new instrument panel, a new center console with twice as much space, a larger glove box, a new integrated navigation system, and a new reverse camera system.  In other words, Ford is making this work van much more functional, with a lot more smart technology.  Small business owners work out of their vehicles, yet use them for family errands as well.  Pickup trucks have changed dramatically over recent years, and are much more customer friendly.  Now, full size vans will be doing the same thing.

The door trim panels have more storage, there are more built-in auxiliary switches that users can customize, and wider-opening rear doors.    Even the seats have been redesigned to be more comfortable.  Although a lot has been done to make this more user-friendly and attractive to a small family-owned business, the E-Series Van is still a hard-working commercial vehicle that is adaptable for larger commercial fleet operators.

There are four new innovations to help provide more productivity for the commercial user.  There is an in-dash computer powered by Microsoft Auto that will provide full Internet access, high-speed, over the Sprint Mobile Network.  It will be the first broadband capable computer mounted in the dashboard in production models.  It will even feature wireless accessories such as a mouse and a printer.  The beauty of this is to provide a driver to access documents from the office, prepare and print out an invoice or log for their customer, right on the spot.  There is no need to hand-write out a scribbled message or a tiny receipt that can get misplaced.

Another innovation is Tool Link.  This is an asset tracking system by DeWalt power tools.  It will allow a business or driver to maintain a real-time inventory, in detail, of the equipment and tools that are stored in the vehicle.  Another innovation on the new E-Series van is called Crew Chief.  This is a diagnostics system to help fleet owners more efficiently manager their entire fleet, job sites, and workers by keeping more detailed maintenance records.  And finally, the fourth innovation is a Cable Lock security system to secure larger tools and equipment in the cargo ares of the vehicle.

This new 2009 E-Series van will not be available until August or early September.  But why I thought it was important to let everyone know about these new ideas is that they will also be available as options in the 2009 F-series pickup trucks.  Sirius Travel Link will also be available, which can be coupled with the navigation system to give a driver real-time traffic conditions on the road, weather conditions,  as well as gas price information at local gas stations.  What is next?  Every year, the automotive industry unveils terrific systems and ideas for us to use on almost a daily basis.

The new 2009 E-Series Van also has some improvements in the areas of safety, emissions, engine technology, fuel usage, and more.  If you are a small or large business that uses commercial size vans for cargo or service, check out the new 2009 Ford with all these great technological innovations.  I think they are terrific and will be a major benefit to the business consumer.