A compact European delivery van type vehicle is hitting the U.S. market. The new Ford Transit Connect will very likely become a practical vehicle for small business owners, camping enthusiast or just for people who want to drive something a little different. Ford Motor Co. has sold the Ford Transit Connect in 55 countries and is bringing the Transit Connect to the States year as an experiment for an alternative to commercial vans.

The Transit Connect boasts double the cargo room of other boxy four-cylinder-powered vehicles that frequently do duty as small business vehicles, such as the Scion xB and Chevrolet HHR panel wagon.

Now, the jury of the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards has chosen the Ford Fusion and the Ford Transit Connect as its respective winners of the Detroit Auto Show.