Fiat Chrysler’s Ram Truck Division Expands Towards Commercial Vans

The alliance between Chrysler and Fiat begins to show its results, as Chrysler’s Ram truck brand is steers beyond its core pickup truck business into commercial vans. It is expected that the Ram CV which is featured as a panel van without rear windows will be the first entry level model. The Ram CV is a version of the Dodge Grand Caravan that has been reworked for cargo use and rebranded as a Ram.

It's also worth mentioning that these vehicles have been sold in the past as Dodge Caravans. Moreover, there are more commercial vans on the way for Ram from the Italian partner Fiat. Ram plans its own version of the Fiat Doblo, a Ford Transit Connect-sized small commercial van, and a larger commercial van based on either the Fiat Ducato or Iveco Daily. Both Ram vans are expected to be revealed in 2014, as related by autonews.com

Between Fiat and its Iveco commercial division, Chrysler has two options to choose from: the front-drive Fiat Ducato and the rear-drive Iveco Daily. We also have to take into consideration the fact that most of the engines for the new vans will be diesel.

Fiat has a whole range of diesels available on its European commercial van fleet. It is expected that the Ram Dakota will be replaced by a mid-sized pickup as the model will be pulled of the production line this month. Also the Ram 1500 pickup is scheduled for a “major modification” according to the company’s 2009 five-year plan.