by The Return of the Commercial Van
The Ram ProMaster City ceased production at the end of the 2022 model year, as automakers massively abandoned commercial vans. A similar fate befell the Chevrolet City Express, Nissan NV, Mercedes Metris, and Ford Transit Connect in the American market.
This significantly limited choices for businesses and fleets, leaving only a few options such as the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and the full-size Ram ProMaster, along with the outdated Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. For buyers, the situation became extremely difficult.
Filling the Market Gap
As explained by Ram representative Dave Sowers, the lack of diversity forced consumers to make compromises. Some customers postponed purchases and continued operating old vehicles because new offerings on the market did not meet their needs. Others bought something new, but often this choice turned out to be either too large or oriented towards retail buyers.
These situations are far from ideal, but Ram believes it has a solution with the 2027 ProMaster City model.
Larger and More Functional
The new model is significantly larger than its predecessor but does not turn into a giant. As company representatives reported, this is exactly what customers wanted. The new van is 22.9 inches (582 mm) longer than the old model. It is large enough to transport pallets and standard 4×8 foot sheets of drywall or plywood.
The Most Affordable Commercial Van in America
In addition to improved capabilities and modern driver assistance systems, the new model is expected to cost less than $40,000. This should make it the most affordable commercial van in the USA.
This is important news, considering that the Ford Transit Cargo starts at $48,400, and the Mercedes Sprinter at $48,990. It should be even cheaper than GM models, whose recommended price is around $42,200. Furthermore, it is significantly cheaper than the standard ProMaster, as the 2026 cargo version costs $46,370.
Strategy for Success
Ram believes that the combination of size, price, and capabilities will attract professional customers and fill a significant gap in the market. Two trim levels and 11 different configurations will also be available, including cargo and passenger vans with seating for up to eight.
It’s hard to disagree with their confidence, as the ProMaster City is well-suited for the commercial market and is a profitable offering. While it certainly isn’t Ram’s most exciting development, it will become the only mid-size commercial van in the United States, and dealers are reportedly happy about the model’s return. Moreover, it makes commercial sense, as the model is essentially a reworked European van.
The return of the ProMaster City comes at a time when businesses are seeking efficient and economical logistics solutions. Its parameters and price category could attract not only large fleets but also small businesses that do not need large trucks. The success of this model may encourage other manufacturers to reconsider their decisions regarding the mid-size commercial vehicle segment.
