Ford released new details on its upcoming MY-2013 Transit commercial van. The big news concerns the vehicle’s fuel economy performance, which Ford said will be 25% better than the current Econoline. Ford said the new model will weigh 300 lbs. less than a similar E-Series van.

“The new Transit will be the smartest, most fuel-efficient way to move cargo or people,” said Tim Stoehr, Ford Commercial Truck Marketing manager.

The automaker said the new Transit will go through three months of durability testing at its Michigan Proving Grounds north of Detroit. Tests will include climbing curbs and navigating the pothole-ridden surface of a special road Ford is constructing at the Proving Grounds for testing purposes.

Ford said the Transit van is the best-selling van in Europe. The automaker has sold more than 6 million Transits across five continents. Transit is currently offered to global customers in a variety of cargo, passenger, and chassis cab configurations with a choice of three diesel engines: the 2.2L Duratorq TDCi I-4, 2.4L Duratorq TDCi I-4, and 3.2L Duratorq TDCi I-5.

To get ready for production in the U.S. by 2013, Ford is investing $1.1 billion in its Kansas City Assembly Plant, where the F-150 is built today.