New York:Ford Transit Connect Concept

Cars like the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Transit Connect are a common sight for motorists in Europe, but completely alien to drivers in the US.

Ford is trying to change all that with the most thoughtful concept at the New York Show. In a bid to drum up interest in the Transit Connect, which has already been brought over from Europe and put on sale in the US, the Family One Concept demonstrates just has versatile a car like this can be.

Rear entertainment screens are projected onto a surface above the front seats, to keep the kids occupied, while all the upholstery is removable and washable in case of spillages.

Other family-friendly features include built-in walkie-talkies, two scooters mounted on the rear door and an under-floor storage area big enough for a fold-up pram. An advanced computer installed in the front dash can even let Facebook friends of the family know the Transit’s fuel economy performance.

Also on the stand was the European-spec Ford Fiesta. A US-specific version, with a few minor changes to meet crash regulations, will go on sale in 2010, but in the meantime Ford is trying everything to drum up interest in its first model designed from the outset for the global market.

In a programme called the Fiesta Movement, Ford has invited 100 members of the public with an influential presence on social networking sights such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to apply for the use of a Fiesta for six months. Ford hopes these are just the right type of drivers to let America know just how good the Fiesta is… here’s to hoping.