Just yesterday Mercedes-Benz announced it would be yanking the Sprinter commercial van from Dodge dealers at the start of next year, but Fiat – Chrysler ’s new global partner – is already mulling two replacement vehicles to fill the Sprinter’s spot.
According to Automotive News, Fiat is considering the Ducato and Iveco Daily to fill the void left by the Sprinter’s departure. “Chrysler Group, together with Fiat and Iveco, are together analyzing the possibility,” Gualberto Ranieri, senior vice president of communications at Chrysler, said. Iveco, a commercial truck maker, is owned by Fiat.
However, if given the go ahead, the new commercial vehicles would likely be sold under a new Dodge truck brand. Whatever the case, the vans would not wear the Fiat badge.
The Iveco Daily appears to be the frontrunner to replace the Sprinter as it is similar in size to the Mercedes-made van. The Fiat Ducato is a smaller vehicle than the Daily.
However, it remains possible that Fiat could bring both models to America. The Daily would logically fill the role of the outgoing Sprinter while the Ducato would give Chrysler a smaller offering to answer Ford ’s hot-selling Transit Connect.
