USPS looking to replace mail carrier fleet.

[twintornados]

Ford should be able to wrap this one up, especially since one of the requirements is that it be right hand driven driver control. Transit Connect is already built in that configuration for other parts of the world.

 

Automotive News USPS article

Postal News article with specification requests

 

 

The USPS lists the following requirements for such a vehicle:

1. The primary requirement is that the right hand drive vehicle shall be capable of delivering mail and packages in a curb line delivery route.
2. The proposed vehicle must include the plan to meet the current year Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (GARB) emissions standards- where applicable.
3. The vehicle must have a cargo capacity between 130 and 400 cubic feet capacity behind a drivers bulkhead.
4. The right hand drive vehicle shall have a maximum roof height of 120 inches.
5. There shall be a fully detailed service manual provided in electronic format for the vehicle including any converted components, if applicable.
6. All parts for the vehicle shall be sourced domestically and available to be placed into the USPS supply chain for a minimum of 10 years.
7. The vehicle shall be warrantied in a similar manner as the OEM vehicle if it is a conversion.
8. The vehicle shall incorporate a vehicle back up warning system with a backup camera and monitor.
9. The right hand drive vehicle shall incorporate CAN bus technology and be capable of communicating with OBD1I devices.

Edited February 13, 2015 by twintornados

[bzcat]

The postal news link say 10,000 units.

 

The autonews link says 180,000 units.

 

That makes a big difference...

 

If USPS just want 10,000 over the next two years like the postal news link says, Ford will be all over it like bees on honey. They can meet that demand easily with a RHD Transit Connect.

 

But if USPS wants 180,000 units to completely replace the LLV, it will be a tough nut to crack... Ford will probably need to move Transit Connect production to North America... It certainly add to the rumor that Ford is seeking to expand C-car production at Cuautitlán.

 

Edit: found the actual RFP... 10,000 units

 

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=2f9534d530acfe39f5abd7c7f566cce6&tab=core&_cview=0

Edited February 13, 2015 by bzcat

[twintornados]

The RFP is for "near term needs"...but eventually, the Post Office has plans to replace the entire Grumman LLV fleet....either way, Ford is positioned to capitalize on both the near term and long haul with Transit Connect...

[bzcat]

The RFP is for "near term needs"...but eventually, the Post Office has plans to replace the entire Grumman LLV fleet....either way, Ford is positioned to capitalize on both the near term and long haul with Transit Connect...

 

Some clarification... you posted two different articles related to two different stories.

 

There is a "near term needs" RFP for 10,000 vehicles. It was released last October: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=2f9534d530acfe39f5abd7c7f566cce6&tab=core&_cview=0

 

There is a permanant repalcement RRP for up to 180,000 vehicles. It was release in January: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=b8bc45b682078cd7fead35c6aec40849&tab=core&_cview=1

 

So the first RFP is already well under way... I would be surprised if Ford didn't bid on it.

 

The second RFP is much bigger contract and will probably require Ford to commit to building the van in the US.

Edited February 14, 2015 by bzcat

[fuzzymoomoo]

I don't see Transit Connect being built in the U.S. Without building a whole other plant. Once FRAP gets going with Taurus/MKS there's nowhere else for it to go. Don't say MAP, that's not happening, even though sales are slow now, gas prices are going to go up eventually and will help bolster sales

[bzcat]

Here is the summary of New Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) specs:

 

1. 2WD with optional 4WD

2. Automatic transmission with traction control

3. Fully enclosed van body with integral cab and cargo compartment constructed with aluminum or composite material with a sliding drive door and a separate cargo area side door

4. Driver side airbag

5. Driver seat with horizontal/vertical/lumbar adjustments

6. Minimum cargo capacity of 1,500 lbs

7. Rear camera with monitor

8. Compliance with FMVSS and 50 state emission

9. Minimum Ground clearance 7.3"

10. Minimum Mail storage volume 155 cubic ft

11. Minimum Rear door opening W x H 48.5" x 72"

12. Maximum Driver window sill height above ground 44"

13. Minimum width between wheelhouse 48"

14. Maximum length 230"

15. Maximum height 106"

16. Maximum width excluding mirror 85"

17. Load floor height 26" ~ 28"

18. Minimum flat cargo area W x L 72" x 108"

 

Other details (all in the PDF file I linked)

 

1. Single vendor award (so winner takes all)

2. Delivery to start no later than January 2018 (3,000 vehicles due on January 2018), and USPS will take delivery for up to 7 years

3. Target cost between $25k and $35k

Edited February 14, 2015 by bzcat

[Deanh]

2wd with optional 4wd................kinda limiting....that said I REALLY think Ford missed the boat by not having an avail hybrid drivetrain in the TC.

[bzcat]

2wd with optional 4wd................kinda limiting....that said I REALLY think Ford missed the boat by not having an avail hybrid drivetrain in the TC.

 

180,000 guaranteed orders should be enough to kick off that program... although with batteries, TC probably won't meet the minimum payload requirement of 1,500 lbs

[rmc523]

I had done this one a while back with the old model:

 

[sullynd]

Canada has been moving to Tcs for their post, right? Seems like something it would make sense for AM General to build, maybe a version of the ugly mobility taxi thing they make.

 

I still think TC could end up at OAC.

 

I think that Fedex electric can is pretty cool looking, but I think it's bases on a euro van.

Edited February 14, 2015 by sullynd

[CurtisH]

180,000 guaranteed orders should be enough to kick off that program... although with batteries, TC probably won't meet the minimum payload requirement of 1,500 lbs

Ford's website shows a max payload of 1,620 lbs.

[twintornados]

Understand that they wont be ordering 180,000 to be delivered in one or two months....that part will be a mutli-year deal that would keep a place like FRAP, OHAP, and MAP humming for years...

[fuzzymoomoo]

Again, MAP is not going to be building it. Not now, not in 5 years.

[Pioneer]

I would think either FRAP, OAP, or Cuautitlán would get the Connect.

[fuzzymoomoo]

I would think either FRAP, OAP, or Cuautitlán would get the Connect.

USPS wants it built in the US though.

[Edstock]

IMHO, Ford has other plans for Oakville.

[fuzzymoomoo]

It's also not in the US

 

My bad, I thought we were talking about OAC, not OHAP

Edited February 14, 2015 by fuzzymoomoo

[Joe771476]

The ALUMINUM body is virtually like new after 30 years. It is mounted on a 1985 Chevrolet S10 chassis. One plan not discussed in those two articles was to have the bodies removed and mounted on a new modern chassis but I'm not sure if there is a chassis currently made by any mfr. that would meet the wheelbase and width requirements. The vehicles have no air conditioning and feature rear wheel drive which makes them terrible in snow. The stop and go driving wreaks havoc on the brakes. The bodies were designed quite well to maximize cargo space. Seeing how Ford has the jump on aluminum, it might be a slam dunk for Ford because I think the USPS would prefer aluminum so that this new vehicle lasts another 30 years. And ideally the new vehicle should feature the current LLV's right-hand driver and left hand SLIDING doors and rear ROLLUP door. This allows access in tight quarters. Anything less and the vehicle loses its advantages. I'm not sure if Ford or anyone would want to meet that requirement. Most of the time the vehicles start right up but time is catching up with the mechanicals. While junking the bodies would be a shame, I see no easy way to adapt the current bodies to a new chassis.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Joe771476

[rscalzo]

which makes them terrible in snow

 

Funny you should say that. I helped my postman push him from the snow last week.

[twintornados]

.....While junking the bodies would be a shame, I see no easy way to adapt the current bodies to a new chassis.

 

That is the beauty of the aluminum body...it can be easily recycled.

[rmc523]

The ALUMINUM body is virtually like new after 30 years. It is mounted on a 1985 Chevrolet S10 chassis. One plan not discussed in those two articles was to have the bodies removed and mounted on a new modern chassis but I'm not sure if there is a chassis currently made by any mfr. that would meet the wheelbase and width requirements. The vehicles have no air conditioning and feature rear wheel drive which makes them terrible in snow. The stop and go driving wreaks havoc on the brakes. The bodies were designed quite well to maximize cargo space. Seeing how Ford has the jump on aluminum, it might be a slam dunk for Ford because I think the USPS would prefer aluminum so that this new vehicle lasts another 30 years. And ideally the new vehicle should feature the current LLV's right-hand driver and left hand SLIDING doors and rear ROLLUP door. This allows access in tight quarters. Anything less and the vehicle loses its advantages. I'm not sure if Ford or anyone would want to meet that requirement. Most of the time the vehicles start right up but time is catching up with the mechanicals. While junking the bodies would be a shame, I see no easy way to adapt the current bodies to a new chassis.

You're then talking about a custom body or at the very least making some sizable modifications to an existing one to accommodate a sliding front door and roll up rear door.

All that said to mean how profitable can something like that be for a company like Ford if they're going to have to re-engineer and produce something for 180,000 vehicles.

[SoonerLS]

You're then talking about a custom body or at the very least making some sizable modifications to an existing one to accommodate a sliding front door and roll up rear door.

All that said to mean how profitable can something like that be for a company like Ford if they're going to have to re-engineer and produce something for 180,000 vehicles.

If they have a contract that big, it's likely worth the cost to adapt the TC--and it's not like they wouldn't be able to sell them to UPS, FedEx, and the like. They'd probably prefer LHD, but it's easy enough to swap the steering wheel side while keeping the right-side slider.

[Edstock]

AFAIK, the RHD bits and pieces exist for the UK/Oz market. If the TC wheelbase and track-width are alright, IMHO, the TC-based vehicle would need new side stampings incorporating sliding doors to be welded onto the existing floorpan, which might be cost-effective.

[RichardJensen]

Bring back the postal Jeep:

 

 

I remember these. BTW: Count the grille slats. Seven wasn't always a magic number for Jeep.

[Anthony]

Bring back the postal Jeep:

 

 

I remember these. BTW: Count the grille slats. Seven wasn't always a magic number for Jeep.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_DJ

 

The five slot grilles were for Postal service only

 

 

 

The DJ-5A (Kaiser Co.) used a standard CJ front end, with a four-cylinder Chevrolet Nova 153 cu in (2.5 L) engine and two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. In 1971, this was changed to a unique five-slot grille without turn signals that was used only on postal Jeeps.

 

Interestingly...

 

 

 

The Wrangler Unlimited is currently available in right-hand drive for USPS delivery in rural areas of North America. These have replaced Jeep DJs for the USPS role.