Quote from: Hydrogen on November 10, 2022, 11:21:11 PM

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Ford on Thursday revealed the 2023 Ford Transit Trail Van, a new model of its full-size van equipped with more durable, off-road parts for outdoor enthusiasts.
The automaker is attempting to cash in on the boom in sales of recreational trailers and vehicles, or RVs, during the coronavirus pandemic.
The vehicle also could make living in a van down by the river more comfortable than late comedian Chris Farley a cousin of the automakers CEO made it out to be in a well-known SNL sketch.

DETROIT Ford Motor wants to make living in a van down by the river a bit more comfortable than late comedian Chris Farley a cousin of the automakers CEO made it out to be in a well-known Saturday Night Live sketch from the early 1990s.

The Detroit automaker on Thursday revealed the 2023 Ford Transit Trail Van, a new lifted model of its full-size van equipped with all-wheel-drive and more durable, off-road parts for outdoor enthusiasts. It also comes ready for customization, also known as upfitting, to turn the vehicle into a living or sleeping space.

Ford is attempting to cash in on the boom in sales of recreational trailers and vehicles, or RVs, during the coronavirus pandemic. Ford already is one of the main companies that provides trucks and vans to upfitters to make them into RVs. It also has launched a slew of off-road vehicles in recent years such as the Ford Bronco SUVs and F-150 Tremor pickup.

We will have more demand than supply, based on all the numbers we see, Ted Cannis, CEO of the automakers Ford Pro commercial vehicle business, told CNBC.

Ford is touting the Transit Trail Van as a gateway into van life, a community of travelers who fully or partially live in their vehicles. Photos released Thursday by the automaker show the vehicle immersed in a scenic setting, including a couple who appear to be living by a river.

The 2023 Ford Transit Trail Van will go on sale in the spring, starting at $65,975. Thats about $15,000 more than a base passenger Transit van. The vehicle will be available in three cargo van configurations, including medium- and high-roof models and a high-roof, extended-length version.

The van will be produced at Fords Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri. The vehicle does not come standard with a living or sleeping space, but Transit Trail owners will have access to Ford Pros network of upfitters and interior installers.

The vehicle will be sold to consumers as well as commercial upfitters, which Cannis says can spend tens of thousands of dollars customizing such vehicles.

https://www.c[Suspicious link removed]m/2022/11/03/ford-transit-trail-2023-targets-boom-in-rv-van-life.html

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The following is an interesting claim.

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We will have more demand than supply, based on all the numbers we see, Ted Cannis, CEO of the automakers Ford Pro commercial vehicle business, told CNBC.

If the above quotation is accurate and demand for live in vehicles exceed supply despite large automakers like ford devoting entire production lines to satisfying demand. It would seem to mean large numbers of americans no longer can afford to rent a home or apartment and are instead living in their cars, trucks and vans.

It would seem that a massive cultural shift is occurring. Away from residential living, towards a more nomadic lifestyle. Whether or not the shift accompanies a trend away from city living towards more rural population growth remains unknown at this time.

It is possible that growth in business will occur along avenues which satisfy demand for these markets. Custom outfitting for vans, trucks and cars to make them more accommodating as live in vehicles could be on the rise. As well as products devoted to these areas.

These trends will introduce new obstacles and issues for people to overcome. How to receive mail while living in a van. Demand for PO boxes and similar services could rise dramatically. It is also possible that the unbanked demographic for the country will rise as it becomes more difficult to qualify for a bank account without a permanent residence. This trend could grow the number of americans who actively use bitcoin and other financial services catering to the unbanked.

It sounds like a laughing topic, but it does reflect a social phenomenon behind it. Many people choose to reduce the cost of living and live in an RV because of financial and work pressures. It is precisely because of this social need that Ford produced this type of car. If it's a short trip, I'm totally fine with it, but if the car is a house for a long time, I'll break down.

Dorothy V

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