For as long as we care to remember, the full-size van market has been a stagnant pond of complacency. Besides the introduction of the Mercedes/Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans a few years back, no significant changes happened from Chevy, Ford, or Dodge.
All that seems to be changing for 2014 as Ford and Dodge, or Ram, rather, are releasing European-style box vans that are a literal game-changer in the business.
Ram just unveiled their new ProMaster van that is a huge departure from what Americans are used to seeing. The ProMaster is based on the Fiat Ducato van Europe has enjoyed for over 30 years. It sits on a unibody platform and is offered with two engine options: Chrysler’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter V-6 and a new 3.0-liter I-4 turbo diesel.
The ProMaster has a unique front-wheel-drive design that is said to lower operating costs and increase fuel economy. Power is delivered through either a 6-speed automatic or an automated manual transmission.
It also features a very low load floor that is large enough to accept full-size pallets being loaded with a forklift. Even the passenger sliding door and optional driver’s side sliding door will accept a pallet.
The 2014 ProMaster is available in two roof heights, three wheelbases, and four body lengths. It can also be ordered as a cutaway and chassis cab. We imagine RV and moving van manufacturers will be excited over that one.
The van will be manufactured in Mexico starting in the third quarter of 2013. Pricing hasn’t been announced as of yet, but it will likely be very competitive with Ford’s new Transit van.
With two thirds of “the big 3” offering new European-styled vans, we can only wonder what General Motors is cooking up.
