Let's talk about the Dodge Promaster Van

Just FYI, as of today Fiat is no more. It is now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and headquartered in the Netherlands. Does this mean anything other than a top level reorg? Nope. However, it does change the name of the company to FCA or for the ProMaster, Dodge still works.

As for PMs in the country, believe it or not, even in the very rural dealerships, I'm seeing them on the lots. They seem to be selling.

-edited-

Another chunk of news is that some ProMaster dealers are offering a $5000 incentive for upfitting when the van is purchased. This might make a Sportsmobile model more attractive.

bobojay wrote:
It's a heavily revised by Chrysler engineers for
better van that used the Ducato platform as a basis

It is ALL PR spin, the PROMASTER carries less than the Ducato small diesel 2.3 Litre version that has a payload of 4,500lb. You will not be getting the Double axle version which carries a lot more.Still towing is limited. Here they go from the light Ducato to the Heavy Duty IVECO.

Mlts22 is correct. Almost all the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealers in the country are selling and servicing the PM.
And like was said, the Fiat of today that's here is not the Fiat of the last century. Also the PM is not a Fiat. It's a heavily revised by Chrysler engineers for the better van that used the Ducato platform as a basis

Europeans have had good luck with the Ducatos. As for support, I was out in rural Texas this weekend... and the Dodge dealers with absolutely nothing around for 10 miles except cattle and barbed wire were showing off ProMasters in their lot.

This was something I was worried about. The Sprinter, when it was branded under Dodge was a red-headed stepchild, only serviced by "Five Star Dealers". It looks like the ProMaster will be serviced by any dealer that handles RAM pickups, so even in the middle of Texas, one can get it worked on. I might be wrong though.

The Fiat that left the US in the 1980s isn't the Fiat of today. Same with Hyundai of the Excel days versus the Hyundai of today.

RobertRyan wrote:

topless wrote:
I didn't catch that it was fwd. That kills it for me. I don't like fwd. Tried it in a couple of cars, it is a poor design that works for drivers that don't know any better

Not an issue. Most popular chassis used in Motorhomes in Europe.

It's a Fiat, now Chrylser is wholly owned by Fiat. Worst car I ever owned was a Fiat had it for 7 months it was a piece of junk.
Europe likes a lot of brands that aren't sold in the U.S. anymore. Renault, Alfa-Romeo, Peugeot, Yugo, Fiat, and probably some others I'm not remembering. Frankly, because its the most popular in Europe, doesn't carry much weight in the middle of the U.S. no dealer support and questionable reliability are the main concerns. Even Sprinters are still looked on as an off brand because of the distance to the nearest dealer for service in some areas.

topless wrote:
I didn't catch that it was fwd. That kills it for me. I don't like fwd. Tried it in a couple of cars, it is a poor design that works for drivers that don't know any better

Not an issue. Most popular chassis used in Motorhomes in Europe.

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FWD works well in cars driven in snow or ice because they are designed to have around 60% of their weight in front. Otherwise rear wheel drive is preferable. In a loaded van there will be a lot less weight on the front wheels than the rears and the advantage of FWD is lost.

I didn't catch that it was fwd. That kills it for me. I don't like fwd. Tried it in a couple of cars, it is a poor design that works for drivers that don't know any better. Putting total vehicle control in 2 wheels is dangerous. Anytime those 2 wheels lose traction, the vehicle goes straight. A heavy vehicle trying to go uphill with limited traction, won't.
If you like it, more power to you. As for me, no thanks.

I agree with mlts22. FWD is great packaging but for towing.Groan.