Crain News Service report
DETROIT (Dec. 3, 2013) — Chrysler Group L.L.C.'s Ram truck division is adding a local delivery van, the ProMaster City, to its commercial lineup for 2015, growing the range to seven vehicles.
The ProMaster City will be based on Fiat S.p.A.'s Doblo delivery van, which sits on a 108-inch wheelbase but offers about 120 cubic feet of interior space in the basic version and up to 177 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase high-roof Doblo XL version.
The van will compete with the Ford Transit Connect and the Nissan NV200, which will also sell as the Chevrolet City Express, according to Reid Bigland, head of the Ram business.
The passenger version of the Doblo is equipped with four different four-cylinder engine options, ranging from a 90-hp 1.4-liter up to a 135-hp 2-liter engine. The Doblo Cargo also gets four engine options, including the 1.4-liter gasoline engine and three different diesel powerplants.
This is the second Fiat-based delivery van that Ram will have in its portfolio. Earlier this year it disclosed plans to re-enter the commercial van segment after a three-year absence with the Ram ProMaster, which is based on the Fiat Ducato van.
Overseas, the hauler is available in a wide range of setups, starting with standard Doblo Cargo, the larger Doblo Cargo Maxi Van, the high-roof Doblo (also available in long-wheelbase form), a chassis cab and a flatbed.
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This story is based on reporting by Graham Kozak of Autoweek magazine and Larry P. Vellequette of Automotive News, Detroit-based sister publications of Tire Business.
