The new VW Transporter T7 is now an increasingly common sight on the UK roads, but what is the difference between the new T7 and the All New Ford Transit Custom – both vehicles are built in the same Turkish factory on the same production line.
At the end of June 2024, the final VW Transporter T6 rolled out of the Volkswagen Hannover factory and VW announced a new partnership with Ford where their new T7 would be a joint project based upon Ford’s Transit Custom van.
Production partnership deals are increasingly common in the vehicle manufacturing industry and are happening all over the world. VW and Ford have collaborated on a number of projects such as the VW Amarok and Ford Ranger back in 2022. Driven by the rapidly rising costs of technology in both product design and the building of modern state of the art factory plants, the investment needed to bring a new vehicle to the market is now so high that in order for the final consumer price to remain competitive, manufacturers often have little choice other than to join forces in order to ensure that they can build an affordable but yet profitable vehicle.
With nearly 2 years now passed both the new VW T7 and the All New Ford Transit Custom are readily available to UK buyers, but in terms of both the after sales package and the actual physical vehicles how do they differ?
Key Differences in After Sales Package
A key difference between the offerings from VW and Ford is in the both the length and scope of standard warranty, service and assistance package;
- Ford Transit Custom – 3 year warranty as standard (with an additional 2 year Ford Protect dealership warranty extension available for around £1800) and 1 year roadside assistance.
- Volkswagen T7 – VW have created their “5+ Promise Plan” which as standard provides a 5 year warranty, 5 years of AA roadside assistance, 5 vehicle services and the first 3 vehicle MOT’s.
Key Physical Differences
Structurally both vans are identical and are built around the same bodyshell. The engine, gearbox, brakes, electronic control systems, steering, seats, interior cab dash and all other major and the vast majority of common components are the same. On the exterior and interior though there are a few noticeable differences;
- Exterior – here you will see the main noticeable differences. VW have redesigned the vehicle bonnet, headlights, grill and bumper to fit into the wider overall VW vehicle style. Similarly at the rear of the vehicle the T7 rear taillights have a different style than the Transit Custom. Viewed directly from the side however, both vehicles will be identical.
- Interior – in the VW, controls on the driver and passenger cab doors for electric windows and mirrors are styled to match the Transporter T6, and fabric for the cab seats is from the VW range.
- Display – There is slight difference in the digital dash display appearance between the two vehicles, which also includes a small difference in content and available information.
- Options & Extras – minor differences exist in the range of factory fitted options and extras that are available on both vehicles, but broadly Ford do offer a slightly wider range than Volkswagen.
- Paint Colours – available exterior paint colour options differ between VW and Ford, with VW offering nine different colours and Ford offering eight – VW’s key alternative colour choice is an interesting Warm Green Metallic!
🔗 Explore Ford Transit Custom & VW Transporter T7 Conversions
