A British Legacy Since 1965
When Ford introduced the first Mk1 Transit in 1965, they had everyday workers in mind. It was built to be useful and affordable — the base model cost £542, while the fancier, 15-seat Custom bus was £997 plus purchase tax. That was a fair chunk of money at the time, but clearly worth it for many small businesses. Before long, the Transit was everywhere — carrying tools, shifting goods, taking people from A to B.
Since then, it’s pretty much ruled British roads when it comes to work vans. In fact, it’s been the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle for 59 out of its 60 years. Just in 2024, it made up over a quarter of all light commercial vehicle sales — 96,000 units sold. Worldwide, over 13 million have been built since 1965. Says a lot, doesn’t it?
Anniversary Events Across the UK
To mark the big birthday, Ford’s been putting on some cracking events around the country. One of the main ones was at the Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show in Birmingham, where they brought out the old and the new for everyone to see.
They had a spotless original 1965 Mk1 Transit on display, sitting right next to the space-aged Supervan 4.2 EV demonstrator — so people could see just how far things have come. Alongside those were the latest electric versions of the Courier, Connect, Custom, and the full-size Transit. Bit of a mix of nostalgia and future-tech all in one place.
Then in May 2025, there was more to see at the Classic Ford Show down in West Sussex. That event brought together some rare and quirky Transits from across the decades. And in June, the British Motor Museum in Gaydon hosted a big bash featuring over 96 different models, with loads of support from fan clubs and private collectors. Proper van heaven, that.
Looking Forward: Electric and Digital Transformation
Even though much of 2025 is looking back, Ford’s also been making it clear they’re not sitting still. The modern Transits — especially the Custom and full-size ones — are being electrified, and you can tell they’re built with today’s business needs in mind. Things like sustainability, saving money on running costs, and just making life easier for drivers.
Tech-wise, these new vans are loaded with handy stuff — driver-assist features like Co-Pilot360, Intelligent Speed Assist, and Enhanced Active Park Assist. It all adds up to safer, smarter journeys.
Plus, they’ve got this Ford Pro connected system for managing fleets. Basically, it helps keep vans road-ready and cuts down on downtime — a big plus if you run a business and can’t afford vehicles sitting in the yard.
After 60 years on the road, the Ford Transit has firmly earned its place as a staple of British life — from construction sites and delivery routes to camper van conversions and mobile coffee shops. What’s clear in 2025 is that Ford isn’t just celebrating the past; it’s actively preparing the Transit for the next chapter. With electric versions, smart technology, and connected systems now part of the line-up, the Transit is evolving to meet modern needs while staying true to what’s made it so dependable for generations.
