Ram Truck unveils new cargo van platform

March 10, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS. A brand new cargo van chassis is being rolled out by Ram Trucks for the 2012 model year – a vehicle dubbed the “Ram C/V.”

INDIANAPOLIS. A brand new cargo van chassis is being rolled out by Ram Trucks for the 2012 model year – a vehicle dubbed the “Ram C/V.”

Unveiled at the National Truck Equipment Assn.’s Work Truck Show in Indianapolis this week, the Ram C/V features a solid sliding door, rear quarter window and backlight privacy panels in place of clear glass windows. However, buyers have the option of equipping their Ram C/V with several combinations of solid and glass panels, including a choice of solid or glass backlight, the company noted.

“We see growth in the Class 1 light commercial vehicle market,” said Fred Diaz, president & CEO of Ram Trucks, who also serves as lead executive for U.S. sale at Chrysler Group LLC, Ram’s parent company. “The Ram C/V is going to be a great vehicle choice for small businesses and commercial fleets.”

The Ram C/V comes equipped with a structural aluminum rear load floor but will offer two other “main floor” options, including one with a flat, uninterrupted, high-capacity surface. A second, optional floor provides through-the-floor access to three storage bins and load floor tie-downs.

This van also offers a 1,800-lb. cargo payload and category-exclusive towing capability, up to 3,600 lbs., with a maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 8,750 lbs. It also comes with a heavy-duty load-leveling suspension, radiator, and heavy-duty transmission oil cooler to help meet heavier powertrain demands, the company said.

At the heart of the new cargo van is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine offering 283 hp. and
260 lbs.-ft. of torque, mated together with a 6-spd. automatic transmission.

Built at Chrysler’s Windsor Ontario Assembly Plant in Canada, the Ram C/V is projected to go on sale in the third quarter of this year and will replace the Dodge Grand Caravan C/V in Chrysler’s product lineup. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, the company noted.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

What challenges are top of mind for fleet professionals in 2025? Get exclusive insights from the 2025 Fleet Trends Survey and discover where the industry is headed next.
The most successful fleets accomplish more than delivering freight. To accomplish this, fleets need a fuel that’s reliable, more economical and more sustainable. That fuel is ...
Are your KPIs driving real fleet improvement? Learn how to set smarter, data-driven benchmarks, track success like top-performing fleets, and apply proven strategies to optimize...
Learn how eets can enhance truck utilization and minimize safety incidents using business intelligence and AI. Delve into innovative practices, technology integration and real...