At a time when Chrysler has gotten out of the full-size American van business and Ford is getting out, with plans to replace the Econoline with the mid-sized European Transit, who should jump into the full-size market with both feet? Nissan.

Their new NV full-size van comes in V6 or 5.6L V8, low-and-high roof versions, cargo and passenger configurations, and in 1500, 2500 and 3500 models. Sound familiar?

Except for a much longer hood to minimize engine intrusion into the passenger compartment, it's no different than the 6 and V8, body-on-frame Chevy, Ford, and Dodge vans of old.

I asked the rep at the Ford commercial vehicle display about this seemingly suicidal move by Ford to abandon a market that Nissan is entering. He seemed annoyed by this impertinent line of questioning, but assured me that the upcoming Transit is, indeed, "full-size", and as large as the outgoing Econoline.