Marking six decades as the globe's top-selling commercial van, the Ford Transit, skillfully crafted in Turkey, continues its triumphant rule.
The Ford Transit, a staple in the European automotive industry, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Originally rolling off the assembly line in 1965, the Transit has been a cornerstone of Ford Otosan's manufacturing in Turkey since 1967 [1].
Over the past six decades, more than 10.1 million units of the Ford Transit have been manufactured in Turkey and Europe combined, contributing to a global total of over 13 million units [1]. This remarkable production milestone was recently announced by Ford Otosan, the long-standing joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Turkish entities [3].
The Ford Transit has been a mainstay in the European market, with one out of every five vans sold in the 1-ton and 2-ton categories being a Transit or its smaller variant, the Transit Custom [1]. This popularity is a testament to the Transit's reliability and practicality, qualities that have remained consistent since the introduction of the Mk1 model in the mid-1960s.
The current largest model, the L4H3, offers a payload capacity exceeding 2.4 tonnes and substantial cargo space [1]. Despite some engine components being manufactured in the UK, the majority of the Transit's production takes place at the Ford Otosan plant in Gölcük, Kocaeli province, Turkey [2].
In 2024, Ford Otosan was Turkey's leading automotive exporter, generating ₺456.9 billion ($12.91 billion) in export revenue [4]. The first half of 2025 saw a record-breaking $19.98 billion in total automotive exports from Turkey [5]. The Transit, as a significant contributor to these figures, remains a key player in the commercial vehicle industry.
The Transit's impact extends beyond Europe. In the UK, it has been the best-selling van for 59 consecutive years [6]. Sales of the Transit and Transit Custom grew by 52% between 2014 and 2024 [7].
Moreover, the Ford Transit is not resting on its laurels. Innovation continues to drive the brand forward, with the introduction of electric models like the E-Transit, which offers a range of up to 402 kilometers, a 28% increase over the standard battery version [8]. The high-performance SuperVan 4.2 electric prototype produces an impressive 2,000 PS of power [9].
As the Ford Transit marks its 60th anniversary, it continues to solidify its position as one of the world's best-selling and most trusted vans, with a rich production history rooted in Turkey since 1967 [1][3].
In recognition of the Transit's international success, its production expansion has extended to Syria, where Ford Otosan has collaborated with local Syrian entities to assemble Transit vans [10]. This strategic move showcases the global appeal of the Turkish-made, Ford Transit.
Embracing the turbine's roots in technology, the electric E-Transit model developed by the Turkish-based production team incorporates innovative Turkish-engineered solutions, further solidifying Turkey's role as a significant player in the global technology sector [11].
