43 replies to this topic

[redriderbob]

Chrysler will be using Warren Truck Assembly to assemble Fiat Ducato vans as Ram brand vans for North American consummation. With the Dakota gone, there is plenty of room for the new vans, especially since the lifestyle truck will be built at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant starting in 2015 as a 2016 model!  The vans will be assembled here, similar how Mercedes sent the Sprinter vans in kit form to be assembled in South Carolina.

redriderbob

[MoparNorm]

Warren will need more than the 10,000 to 12,000 Ducato vans that might sell per year, to keep Dakota workers busy.

[Seagondollar]

A work van?  Good idea since there are some folks out there still working.

[MoparNorm]

Seagondollar, on August 28, 2011 at 11:24 am, said:

A work van?  Good idea since there are some folks out there still working.

Yes, it's similar to Sprinter, just uglier...

[patfromigh]

MoparNorm, on August 28, 2011 at 11:35 am, said:

Yes, it's similar to Sprinter, just uglier...

So you've seen the Dodge version?

[SptFury]

Well I don't have a pony in this race, but I would like for Ram to establish a more active presence in the commerical market. With that said, I was musing about the possibilities and I came up with this; the Dakota assembly line is now available and light delivery/service vehicles are always in demand. you have a Dakota platform, chassis/powertrain etc[ powertrain needs updating]. How about a light delivery panel truck with a 4 cyl diesel and/or gas-lp-ng engine. Probably need a lower floor height!

Also, when the Ducato comes to town, it seems like a good application of the V6 Cummins. And a gas/lp/ng version of the Pentastar. Just musing. Might retain more jobs, capture some market.

[News Feed]

Redriderbob, who has made some accurate predictions in the past, wrote that Chrysler will be using Warren Truck Assembly (part of the former Dodge City complex) to assemble Fiat Ducato vans. These will be sold under the Ram brand vans in North America. No timetable was mentioned.
Note: the above image is a rendering. See more information on the Ducato.

View the original, full post

[MoparNorm]

patfromigh, on August 28, 2011 at 04:22 pm, said:

So you've seen the Dodge version?

We've hashed this to death. We have all seen the ugly Ducato and Doblo's, Chrysler isn't going to change the sheetmetal all that much, although we can hope.

[unverferth]

News Feed, on August 28, 2011 at 05:32 pm, said:

Redriderbob, who has made some accurate predictions in the past, wrote that Chrysler will be using Warren Truck Assembly (part of the former Dodge City complex) to assemble Fiat Ducato vans. These will be sold under the Ram brand vans in North America. No timetable was mentioned.
Note: the above image is a rendering. See more information on the Ducato.

View the original, full post

Sorry...but the Ram front on that thing makes it look like a sad fish.

[lvelleq (o)llllll(o)]

unverferth, on August 29, 2011 at 10:24 am, said:

Sorry...but the Ram front on that thing makes it look like a sad fish.

ASIAN CARP! ASIAN CARP! Kill it!!

(Sorry, Great Lakes-centric joke...)

[Arguyle]

I'm not a fan of the front end either but the rest looks great!  A lil tweaking and that should go to Uncle Sergios desk.

[suzq044]

had a funny idea..

[Berlin Bill]

Everyone will have their own opinion concerning the looks of the new Ram Van.  I don't think it is that ugly.  I just hope to see something soon as the Sprinter seemed to be relatively popular here in CT.  Aslo I hope that Ram will offer something to compete with the Ford Transit, which seems to be selling better here in recent months.  Maybe if they can offer a Diesel in a smaller van they will have an exclusive for the North American market.

[CherokeeVision]

suzq044, on August 29, 2011 at 12:01 pm, said:

had a funny idea..

It looks better as a truck than it ever would have looked as a car.

[eekamouse]

Not with out a revised front end I hope.

Slapping a Ram grill on this is going to draw more back lash then interest.

[burt]

It's the configuration and location of the Headlights,
That absolutely ruin the appearance of this vehicle.

Rumor has it, Norm thinks it's been Panda-ized

[MoparNorm]

burt, on August 29, 2011 at 07:46 pm, said:

It's the configuration and location of the Headlights,
That absolutely ruin the appearance of this vehicle.

Rumor has it, Norm thinks it's been Panda-ized

  I'm pretty sure it's a face only a mommy Panda could love.

CherokeeVision, on August 29, 2011 at 04:07 pm, said:

It looks better as a truck than it ever would have looked as a car.

You were up all night watching 'Twilight', weren't you?

Edited by MoparNorm, August 29, 2011 at 08:44 pm.

[eekamouse]

burt, on August 29, 2011 at 07:46 pm, said:

It's the configuration and location of the Headlights,
That absolutely ruin the appearance of this vehicle.

Rumor has it, Norm thinks it's been Panda-ized

The Aztekesque door window clashing are pretty shameful as well.

[1969 300]

Regarding the van's look, we have to keep in mind that buyers of this type of vehichle rarely by it for its looks.  They are more concerned about its versitility.

Regarding the van being built at WTAP, that is great news.  It will be interesting to see how the plant is configured to build it.  Will it use the same line as the Ram, or use the old pilot line or Sherwood building?

[MoparNorm]

1969 300, on August 30, 2011 at 01:15 am, said:

Regarding the van's look, we have to keep in mind that buyers of this type of vehichle rarely by it for its looks.  

Yes, but how many buyers from the Helen Keller Institute are there?