Chrysler’s Ram Brand to Add Fiat-Based Compact Van, Possibly Full-Sizer Too
Chrysler’s new, truck-dedicated Ram brand has just received its third model, a stripped-out Dodge Grand Caravan called the Ram Cargo van. But the company is looking to add at least one—and possibly two—more vans to the lineup, courtesy of Chrysler’s step-sibling Fiat. Chrysler will draw on Fiat’s European van offerings, and specifically is looking at three models called the Doblo (pictured above), the Ducato, and the Iveco Daily (Iveco is Fiat’s commercial sub-brand in Europe).
The three are very different in size and shape; the front-wheel-drive Doblo is comparable to the Ford Transit Connect, while the bigger, front-wheel-drive Ducato is aimed at the Mercedes Sprinter. The Iveco Daily is rear-wheel drive and more of a heavy duty truck than the Ducato, and, like the heavier-duty Sprinters, lends its cab and chassis to purpose-built specialty vehicles.
We expect the Doblo will be the first to get the green light from Chrysler for sale in American showrooms—presumably with a more macho name befitting the Ram brand’s intended image. While the Doblo would be the first direct competitor on these shores for the Transit Connect, Ford’s sales stats with its compact van show how much American buyers still value full-size haulers; the company’s ancient E-series van outsells the Transit Connect at a three-to-one pace. With this in mind, if Chrysler wants Ram to be a full-line truck brand, its going to need either the Ducato or Iveco Daily here.
A Chrysler spokesperson tells us that the company hasn’t made a decision yet about whether a full-size van will come to the U.S. at all, let alone which of the company’s two big vans would be selected. Recent Chrysler business plans called for the compact Ram van to hit the market in 2012, but Chrysler now says that the timing is “under review.” As passionate van fans, we hope this doesn’t mean too much of a delay.
Chrysler’s new, truck-dedicated Ram brand has just received its third model, a stripped-out Dodge Grand Caravan called the Ram Cargo van. But the company is looking to add at least one—and possibly two—more vans to the lineup, courtesy of Chrysler’s step-sibling Fiat. Chrysler will draw on Fiat’s European van offerings, and specifically is looking at three models called the Doblo (pictured above), the Ducato, and the Iveco Daily (Iveco is Fiat’s commercial sub-brand in Europe).
The three are very different in size and shape; the front-wheel-drive Doblo is comparable to the Ford Transit Connect, while the bigger, front-wheel-drive Ducato is aimed at the Mercedes Sprinter. The Iveco Daily is rear-wheel drive and more of a heavy duty truck than the Ducato, and, like the heavier-duty Sprinters, lends its cab and chassis to purpose-built specialty vehicles.
We expect the Doblo will be the first to get the green light from Chrysler for sale in American showrooms—presumably with a more macho name befitting the Ram brand’s intended image. While the Doblo would be the first direct competitor on these shores for the Transit Connect, Ford’s sales stats with its compact van show how much American buyers still value full-size haulers; the company’s ancient E-series van outsells the Transit Connect at a three-to-one pace. With this in mind, if Chrysler wants Ram to be a full-line truck brand, its going to need either the Ducato or Iveco Daily here.
A Chrysler spokesperson tells us that the company hasn’t made a decision yet about whether a full-size van will come to the U.S. at all, let alone which of the company’s two big vans would be selected. Recent Chrysler business plans called for the compact Ram van to hit the market in 2012, but Chrysler now says that the timing is “under review.” As passionate van fans, we hope this doesn’t mean too much of a delay.
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