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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

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Ford European fan

  • 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.

SEE ALSO: Ford built a Transit van called Nugget that doubles as a tiny home that can sleep up to 4 people

DON'T MISS: Corvettes and Mustangs are some of the hottest cars money can buy — here's how they compare

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...

Source: Ford



...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.

Source: MSN



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.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club



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

Source: MSN



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

Source: Wall Street Journal



…and then there are 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 permanently branded on them.

Source: Getty Images



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 eight years old. There was a small auto shop in his hometown village in Italy that worked on American cars.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi



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.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi



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.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi



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.

Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club



Certain European countries have regulations, fees, and 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.

 Source: Jaron Cole/Mustang Fan Club 



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.

Source: Wall Street Journal, Automotive Logistics



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.

Source: Ford, Autoblog



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.

Source: Ford, The News Wheel



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.

Source: Ford



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.

Source: Bloomberg



Since 2016, one in four Mustangs is 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.

Source: Fabrizio Schenardi



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.

Source: The New York Times



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.

Source: Bloomberg



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.

Source: Bloomberg, Ford, MSN




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