Benson: Ram ProMaster City Portfolio Could Expand Via Demand

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Right now, one can pick up a new Ram ProMaster City for catering tacos and installing cable down Flower Shop Lane. If that’s not enough, however, Ram might soon have a few more tricks up its sleeve.

According to Edmunds, Ram commercial truck operations chief Joe Benson says consumer demand could increase the current ProMaster City portfolio beyond the two-passenger commercial panel van and five-passenger people carrier. Possibilities include diesel power, shorter wheelbases, seven-passenger models, a taller panel van, and a pickup variant with drop-down sides for easy cargo-box access.

Regarding the overall picture for Flower Shop Lane, Benson believes combined U.S. sales could climb to 100,000 by 2016, compared to the predicted 50,000 units sold in 2014. The increased demand is likely to come from Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari owners looking to replace their aging units with those from not only Ram, but Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Petezeiss Petezeiss on Dec 30, 2014

    Base price for the commersh panel version of the ProMaster City is higher than all three of its competitors. And it's a Fiat. Good start.

  • Indi500fan Indi500fan on Dec 30, 2014

    Somebody spent a fair amount of time designing a front that looks ugly and wimpy for a truck. Did the guy who does the Ram front ends retire?

    • See 5 previous
    • Petezeiss Petezeiss on Jan 01, 2015

      @indi500fan Completely agree that since '94 Dodge/Ram have had the best looking pickups on the market. The "big rig" front ends are well-proportioned, masculine looking alternatives to the rolling dumpster look of Ford and GM. But the teenage kid running flower deliveries or the guy from the plumbing shop doing the small jobs isn't really going to care what their ride looks like. These small vans don't need any more aesthetic appeal than a golf cart or an airport tug.

  • Danio3834 Danio3834 on Dec 31, 2014

    "and a pickup variant with drop-down sides for easy cargo-box access." This should make a few of our commenters froth at the mouth.

  • Whynotaztec Whynotaztec on Dec 31, 2014

    There are still Astros and safaris that need to be replaced???

    • See 1 previous
    • Geozinger Geozinger on Jan 01, 2015

      @Corey Lewis The last 'Stros were built in 2005. I was wondering if the OP meant a little sarcasm there.

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