Sportsmobile ProMaster prices are out...
This price list shows what SMB is getting for options on the Dodge vans. Here is the Sprinter list for comparison. What is interesting is that the price gap between the base long body Dodge ($35,8...
Forum Discussion
I was reading the Mexican site (fiat.com.mx) for the Ducatos. I am wrong. Promasters are just not rebadged; they have completely new drivetrains here in the US. The Mexican vans use a Multijet diesel engine coupled with a standard manual transmission, which is completely different from the V6 gasser and auto transmission and the four-banger diesel with the "manumatic" (functionally identical to an auto transmission as far as what I've read.)
The difference between now and when VW tried to get into the market is that gas prices are high and staying high since 2008, which is one reason the US economy has taken so long to recover. Any signs of growth mean that gas prices go up by 20-50%, stalling any meaningful recovery attempts.
Because of that, a gas-thrifty van is going to sell here. Plus, compared to the current Chevy Express and Ford Econoline, any of the Eurovans (Transit/Sprinter/Ducato) will have a lot more usable space inside which is important for fleets as well as RV upfitters.
The fact that gas is high and staying high is shifting US tastes towards European styles and sizes.
The difference between now and when VW tried to get into the market is that gas prices are high and staying high since 2008, which is one reason the US economy has taken so long to recover. Any signs of growth mean that gas prices go up by 20-50%, stalling any meaningful recovery attempts.
Because of that, a gas-thrifty van is going to sell here. Plus, compared to the current Chevy Express and Ford Econoline, any of the Eurovans (Transit/Sprinter/Ducato) will have a lot more usable space inside which is important for fleets as well as RV upfitters.
The fact that gas is high and staying high is shifting US tastes towards European styles and sizes.
