Ford converted its transit cargo van into a tiny home just for Europeans, and it's the latest proof that Europe's love affair with Ford is mutual

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Ford converted its transit cargo van into a tiny home just for Europeans, and it's the latest proof that Europe's love affair with Ford is mutual

Ford European fan

Peter Dench/Getty Images

Some Europeans have a strong love for Ford - perhaps stronger than Americans'.

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  • Ford unveiled its latest motorhome, The Big Nugget, in the summer of 2019, and it will be released to just the European market in 2020.
  • It's the latest proof that Ford has a lot of love for Europe, and the feeling is mutual.
  • Ford fan clubs, blogs, and memorabilia collections are popular in Europe.
  • Meet some of Ford's megafans and see how the love affair has blossomed.
  • Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

Get the latest Ford stock price here.

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The Big Nugget is Ford’s latest campervan that was presented in summer 2019 and will launch in spring 2020 to the European market.

The Big Nugget is Ford’s latest campervan that was presented in summer 2019 and will launch in spring 2020 to the European market.

Source: Ford

This is the fourth motorhome that Ford has released to Europe...

This is the fourth motorhome that Ford has released to Europe...

Source: Ford

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...and it’s proof that Europe can’t get enough of Ford either.

...and it’s proof that Europe can’t get enough of Ford either.

Source: MSN

Ford's devoted global fan base has grown over recent years.

Ford's devoted global fan base has grown over recent years.

Source: MSN

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Jaron Cole, the founder of Mustang Fan Club, told Business Insider that owning a Ford car overseas is something special.

Jaron Cole, the founder of Mustang Fan Club, told Business Insider that owning a Ford car overseas is something special.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club

Europeans admire an American-made car because it’s something they’re not used to having, Cole told Business Insider.

Europeans admire an American-made car because it’s something they’re not used to having, Cole told Business Insider.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club

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Fans show their love for Ford in a number of ways.Everything from European fan clubs, to online Ford blogs, to exist.

Fans show their love for Ford in a number of ways.Everything from European fan clubs, to online Ford blogs, to exist.

Source: MSN

There are European fans who collect old Ford models, have extensive memorabilia collections, some who own anything Ford related…

There are European fans who collect old Ford models, have extensive memorabilia collections, some who own anything Ford related…

Source: Wall Street Journal

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…and others who even posed next to their Ford collection on their wedding day.

…and others who even posed next to their Ford collection on their wedding day.

Source: Getty Images

There are some individuals in Europe who even have the car brand permanently branded on them.

There are some individuals in Europe who even have the car brand permanently branded on them.

Source: Getty Images

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Fabrizio Schenardi is one of these Ford megafans who lives in Italy.

Fabrizio Schenardi is one of these Ford megafans who lives in Italy.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

Schenardi told Business Insider that he was first exposed to Ford cars when he was 8 years old. There was a small auto shop in his hometown village in Italy that worked on American cars.

Schenardi told Business Insider that he was first exposed to Ford cars when he was 8 years old. There was a small auto shop in his hometown village in Italy that worked on American cars.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

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After riding in a Mustang for the first time as a child, he was instantly hooked. "I felt like a rockstar," Schenardi said about the experience.

After riding in a Mustang for the first time as a child, he was instantly hooked. "I felt like a rockstar," Schenardi said about the experience.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

Schenardi saved up enough money to finally purchase his first Mustang in 2006.

Schenardi saved up enough money to finally purchase his first Mustang in 2006.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

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That same day, Schenardi got a Mustang tattoo to commemorate his big purchase.

That same day, Schenardi got a Mustang tattoo to commemorate his big purchase.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

Schenardi eventually became the first European car blogger, writing strictly about Mustang cars.

Schenardi eventually became the first European car blogger, writing strictly about Mustang cars.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

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Ford fanatics overseas often prefer to purchase their cars from America, rather than their local dealerships.

Ford fanatics overseas often prefer to purchase their cars from America, rather than their local dealerships.

Source: U.S. News

Cole said that it's challenging to purchase a Ford car through another country.

Cole said that it's challenging to purchase a Ford car through another country.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club

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Certain European countries have regulations, fees, taxes.

Certain European countries have regulations, fees, taxes.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club

But many European Ford fans would rather pay import and transportation fees to transfer the Ford car from America, Cole told Business Insider.

But many European Ford fans would rather pay import and transportation fees to transfer the Ford car from America, Cole told Business Insider.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club

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It'll still be cheaper than all the fees and such that the European countries would charge them, he said.

It'll still be cheaper than all the fees and such that the European countries would charge them, he said.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club

Unsurprisingly, the car brand recently unveiled plans to cut six of its 23 European factories and anticipates more than tripling its yearly passenger vehicle imports into Europe by 2024.

Unsurprisingly, the car brand recently unveiled plans to cut six of its 23 European factories and anticipates more than tripling its yearly passenger vehicle imports into Europe by 2024.

Source: Wall Street Journal, Automotive Logistics

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Out of all of Ford's car models, motorhomes are a hot commodity in Europe.

Out of all of Ford's car models, motorhomes are a hot commodity in Europe.

Source: News Atlas

According to Ford, its motorhome sales in Europe are up almost 15% compared to previous years, and sales have surpassed 100,000 units for the first time.

According to Ford, its motorhome sales in Europe are up almost 15% compared to previous years, and sales have surpassed 100,000 units for the first time.

Source: Ford, Autoblog

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More recently, self-employment is on the rise in Europe…

More recently, self-employment is on the rise in Europe…

Source: Ford, The News Wheel

...and Ford's transit vans have become the backbone of business there.

...and Ford's transit vans have become the backbone of business there.

Source: Ford, The News Wheel

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When it was time for Ford to unveil its latest motorhome, there was no question that the brand was going to give the European market priority.

When it was time for Ford to unveil its latest motorhome, there was no question that the brand was going to give the European market priority.

Source: Ford

In addition to motorhomes, the Ford Mustang's popularity has been on the rise in several European countries.

In addition to motorhomes, the Ford Mustang's popularity has been on the rise in several European countries.

Source: Ford

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To celebrate the Mustang's 50th anniversary in late 2015, Ford released an updated version of the beloved car with a new design and engineering.

To celebrate the Mustang's 50th anniversary in late 2015, Ford released an updated version of the beloved car with a new design and engineering.

Source: Bloomberg

Although US sales of the limited edition Mustang eventually started to dip, Ford saw a major increase in foreign sales.

Although US sales of the limited edition Mustang eventually started to dip, Ford saw a major increase in foreign sales.

Source: Bloomberg

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Since 2016, one in four Mustangs are now owned by drivers in China, the UK, and Germany.

Since 2016, one in four Mustangs are now owned by drivers in China, the UK, and Germany.

Source: Bloomberg

It might seem unexpected for a European to love an American car so much, but when it comes to Ford cars, "The price and performance is one of the best in the world," Schenardi said.

It might seem unexpected for a European to love an American car so much, but when it comes to Ford cars, "The price and performance is one of the best in the world," Schenardi said.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi

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According to Bloomberg, Ford even sold 17 Mustangs in Bulgaria, one of the smaller countries in Europe.

According to Bloomberg, Ford even sold 17 Mustangs in Bulgaria, one of the smaller countries in Europe.

Source: Bloomberg

As big as their fan base is now, that wasn’t always the case for Ford and its European market.

As big as their fan base is now, that wasn’t always the case for Ford and its European market.

Source: The New York Times

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Ford of Europe was established in 1967, yet the brand’s global sales were significantly lower at the time.

Ford of Europe was established in 1967, yet the brand’s global sales were significantly lower at the time.

Source: Bloomberg

The American car brand had a difficult time attracting European customers and competing with other car brands.

The American car brand had a difficult time attracting European customers and competing with other car brands.

Source: Bloomberg

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Fast forward to today in Europe where Ford is an in-demand car brand.

Fast forward to today in Europe where Ford is an in-demand car brand.

Source: Ford

After Ford’s campervan release to the European market and the global Mustang fascination, it seems Ford is paving the way for other American car brands' international presence.

After Ford’s campervan release to the European market and the global Mustang fascination, it seems Ford is paving the way for other American car brands' international presence.

Source: Bloomberg, Ford, MSN

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