2015 Ram ProMaster City Will Join Small-van Segment

The Chrysler Group has announced it will be looking to tap into the growing market for smaller cargo vans next year when it launches the 2015 Ram ProMaster City.

Now, details about the vehicle are still up in the air at this stage, but the automaker has confirmed that the 2015 Ram ProMaster City would leverage expertise from the Italian side of the business and be based on the globally successful Fiat Doblo. And although the numbers are certainly subject to change during the translation process, a quick peek at the extended-wheelbase Doblo—the model most likely to arrive in the United States—show some notable advantages as compared to its rivals.

Looking at the Doblo XL's specifications, in its UK configuration, the van is just a fraction of an inch longer than the Nissan NV200 or Chevy City Express, and about six inches longer than a Ford Transit Connect, but the Fiat offers a much larger cargo capacity and payload. Because the interior of the Doblo's cargo hold is noticeably taller and wider than that of its competition, the Ram ProMaster City could hold north of 176 cubic feet worth of stuff; the other trio tops out just above 122 cubic feet. Further, and again assuming the same specs as the Fiat, the Ram ProMaster is in line to benefit from a payload of 2,200 lbs.—a 600-lb. advantage over the Ford, and a 700-lb. increase versus the other pair.

The Fiat Doblo itself, as an FYI, comes in at just under 173 inches and is some two inches shorter than a Honda Civic Coupe. Which would probably result in a high-visibility niche for the vehicle here in the United States.

The party line from Reid Bigland, president and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand: "The Ram ProMaster City further expands the Ram Commercial truck lineup, which includes everything from vans to pickups to Class Four and Five trucks.”

"Our successful relationship with Fiat Professional, one of the world's foremost commercial truck manufacturers, gives Ram a competitive advantage with access to proven products and technology that will resonate with our U.S. and Canadian customers,” he added.