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| Fiat Doblo (top) and Ford Transit Connect |
Chrysler is going head-to-head with Ford for the small service van market, a niche which Ford Motor re-discovered four years ago. Chrysler will base its new 2015 Ram ProMaster City on the similar vehicle of its parent company, Fiat. That’s the Fiat Doblo (inset with the Transit Connect, lower) “The Ram ProMaster City further expands the Ram Commercial truck lineup, which includes everything from vans to pickups to Class Four and Five trucks,” Reid Bigland, president and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group, said in a statement. “As Ram Commercial continues to gain share and grow sales in the market, we will be aggressive in our goal of expanding our commercial vehicle offerings.” There would seem to be room to do business with the smaller van. As a simple drive along any street in Toronto reveals, the Ford Transit Connect has been a big hit with small and large users. Bell, Rogers and countless small businesses have embraced the trim little truck. The Fiat Doblo, which has generated more than 1.3 million sales in European and other markets overseas. “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,” added Bigland.
