This unlikely vehicle is one of Ford's best weapons in its US sales war

Along with the Mustangs muscle cars and GT supercars we expected to see cited in Ford press releases, one unusual vehicle keeps popping up.

It's a van. Yes, a van.

Specifically, it's the the Transit Connect - an unconventional-looking minivan which just helped Ford post its best January van sales since 1985.

In the midst of a record setting year for the Blue Oval and most of the car industry, Ford can thank the Transit Connect for capturing a 69% share of the small commercial van market.