Filed under: Videos, Ram, First Drives, New Car Reviews, Minivan/Van, Commercial Vehicles

Ford and Nissan have been scrapping for market share in the very hot small commercial van segment, and now Ram wants in on the party. The 2015 Ram ProMaster City hopes to one-up its main competitors in key categories, making the best do-everything business vehicle in the process. Read on to find out how it fares.

Continue reading 2015 Ram ProMaster City Tradesman [w/video]

2015 Ram ProMaster City Tradesman [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2014 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2014/12/23/2015-ram-promaster-city-tradesman-first-drive-review-video/

I think it's very interesting we're getting this sudden surge of European commercial vans here.

Fuel economy is a big thing still. I assume these, being smaller and/or always had that in mind in Europe. Or just auto companies trying to cut down on costs and using the same models.

Globalisation is a good thing, honestly. It keeps down costs.

Plus, it's better for businesses than having giant hulking gas guzzlers.

Yup, globalization is definitely good for a business. As long as they fit the needs of the region.

Agreed. The downside of globalization (for us) is it often means importing these vehicles from Europe or Asia. Virtually no new well paying manufacturing or engineering jobs are created in North America unless sales volumes are sufficient to warrant building these vehicles here.

Honestly, all they are doing is replacing the minivans that a lot of service contractors have bought over the years. This would replace things like the cable repair guys, appliance repairs etc. Most were buying Caravans and taking out the seats and utilizing them that way. They will not replace the heavy trades style truck that the auto manufacturer thinks that they are going to work on. FWD will not tow worth its weight and limited cargo space will not help with the larger guys like deck builders. Most of the estimators in my area have already learned from the 80s send the truck to the job site and use a car to meet the customers.

Ford has full size Transit vans, since the Econoline has been killed off.

Chevy is the last with a fullsize body on frame van. But GM has Nissan's help with the small compact commercial van now. GM really doesn't like Ford bringing the Transits here, it seems.

Agreed. The downside of globalization (for us) is it often means importing these vehicles from Europe or Asia. Virtually no new well paying manufacturing or engineering jobs are created in North America unless sales volumes are sufficient to warrant building these vehicles here.

Yup, downside of globalization is generally you go and make the product where the labor and other costs are minimal. Always going to be the need to have plants here but I don't think all manufacturing could ever be done in US this day in age.