News Briefing
FORD - 1.8 million Transit vans in 35 years
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| One of the early Transit vans produced at Swaythling. |
WHILE the white Transit van may seem to many to be a timeless British icon it was not until 1965 that the first one rolled off the production line.
Since the first one revved its engine more than five million have swamped Britain's roads.
Since it opened in 1972 the Swaythling plant quickly became known as the "Home of the Transit."
The plant is one of the company's most productive in Europe and its 1,243 employees assemble 350 transits a day assisted by advanced robot technology.
Last year the plant produced 70,000 vans and has produced more than 1.8 million transits since it opened its doors more than 35 years ago.
An investment of £600m has been ploughed into the Wide lane facility since 1972.
The Transit won the prestigious accolade of the 2007 International Van of the Year and has been the top-selling commercial vehicle for 40 years. One in four new vans produced is a Transit.
10:11am Thursday 10th July 2008
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