FORD director of commercial vehicles Peter Fleet tantalised the press on the eve of the Commercial Vehicle Show with news that Ford is building a new 'baby' Transit. Details as yet are sketchy and Fleet would not be drawn, despite a barrage of questions from journalists.

But the van - codenamed V227 - is set to go on sale next year and already Fleet is predicting that it will shake up the sub-Transit sector. 'Everything we see about it as it is being developed makes us feel better,' he said. 'It is a terrific vehicle.'

Asked whether the van would be a rival to the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo, Fleet replied: 'It is not like anything else. It is south of the Transit and down to the top end of the Courier range. It will bring Transit durability and reliability to the car-derived sector.'

Details of the V227 are expected to emerge towards the end of the year.