Autoblog

Chrysler trademarks 8 Mile, ProMaster

Zach Bowman — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, Ram

Chrysler has been busy at the trademark office. Allpar.com reports the manufacturer has laid claim to a stack of new names, including Detroit Motor Works, Wrangler Freedom Edition, 8 Mile, Crossroad and Chrysler 100, as well as Ram ProMaster and the Ram ProMaster City. The automaker has made no secret of the fact that it wants to build a new small car, and that the machine will almost certainly ride under the Chrysler 100 banner. Dealers reportedly got a closer look at the vehicle at a recent gathering in Las Vegas.

Likewise, the two ProMaster names are little surprise, as Fiat intends to give the Ford Transit and Transit connect some competition with its own European-style Ducato vans. Now it looks as if those will come with ProMaster badges.

But, names like Detroit Motor Works, 8 Mile and Crossroad all leave the door open for some speculation. Allpar.com also reports Chrysler has laid claim to Active Air, which it speculates may be applied to the company's variable-length intake runners.

Chrysler trademarks 8 Mile, ProMaster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat updates Ducato commercial van; will it come to the States?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Europe, Work, Fiat

If you're looking at the new 2012 Fiat Ducato and thinking it looks a lot like the 2011 model, well, you're right. That's because, though Fiat's commercial vehicles division has carried out enough revisions of its prolific workhorse to call it a new model, the exterior has stayed the same.

Most of the refinements have been performed on the vehicle's interior, which is said to be considerably more car-like than the outgoing model. That includes such niceties as an onboard refrigerator, chrome accents and a TomTom nav system featuring Blue&Me functionality developed with Microsoft.

A new roster of MultiJet engine options range from 110 horsepower to 177 and are earmarked to be cheaper to run while complying with Euro 5 emissions regulations. Between the powertrain and the various body-styles, Fiat says there are some 2,000 different configurations that can be ordered.

The question is if and when the Ducato will port over as a new Ram model. (After all, it already sounds a lot like Dakota...) In the meantime, we'll just have to suffice with the press release below the fold and the high-res images in the fresh gallery.

Continue reading Fiat updates Ducato commercial van; will it come to the States?

Fiat updates Ducato commercial van; will it come to the States? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat may supply Ram Van replacement for Dodge

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Europe, Work, Chrysler, Rumormill, Fiat

Fiat Ducato - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's looking like Chrysler may be ready to re-badge a couple more European vans and bring them to our shores. The automaker is reportedly weighing the option of bringing the pint-sized
front-wheel-drive Fiat Doblo, its bigger brother the Ducato and the seriously meaty Iveco Daily to these shores, all vans to be marketed under the recently minted Ram brand.

We figure that Chrysler would aim the Doblo squarely at the Ford Transit Connect, another European hauler repurposed for the U.S., while the Ducato would slot nicely in the hole left by the departed Dodge Sprinter. For bigger jobs, enter the Iveco Daily, which sees use in nearly every other part of the world to haul just about anything.

Fiat may supply Ram Van replacement for Dodge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Trademark Watch: Dodge resurrecting Tradesman moniker?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Dodge

Chrysler has gone on a bit of a trademark bender, snapping up a couple of high-profile names that may give us some insight into what the smallest of the Big Three has planned for the near future. According to Inside Line, the company has laid claim to both the Cuda and Tradesman monikers. We're more than a little perplexed by the automaker's decision to tuck away the Cuda name, especially since the legendary Barracuda sailed under the long-dead Plymouth banner. Who knows, maybe Chrysler is simply hoping to cash in on some nostalgic licensing later down the line.

More interesting is the Tradesman name. Way back in 1971, Dodge offered up a no-frills work van under the that nameplate. The resurrection has spurred the crew at Inside Line to meditate on the possibility of an all-new work van based on bones from the Fiat Ducato Goods Transport Van. Given how popular offerings like the Dodge Sprinter proved to be on our shores, a successor to that beast is a logical move.

[Source: Inside Line]

Trademark Watch: Dodge resurrecting Tradesman moniker? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Madrid Auto Show: Fiat Ducato Truckster concept - live shots

Stuart Waterman — Sat, 27 May 2006 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Work, Misc. Auto Shows

Well, we can't say it looks a whole lot better in person than it did in the design sketches we posted earlier. Our man in Madrid, Alberto has graced us with a smattering of photos from his trip to the Madrid Auto Show for Autoblog Spanish. We'd recommend clicking out the site, where you can find more photos, including hi-res shots for your viewing pleasure.

The interior of the Truckster continues the tuner-esque theme of the sport truck, outfitted by Sabelt with competition-style seats with five-point harnesses and a sport steering wheel (no word on the function of the steering wheel buttons). The truck is also fitted with a rollcage and a final performance feature - drilled aluminum pedals.

The exterior views highlight what may be the world's largest underbody diffuser, and the 28-inch "turbine"-style wheels.

More insanity after the jump...

Continue reading Madrid Auto Show: Fiat Ducato Truckster concept - live shots

Madrid Auto Show: Fiat Ducato Truckster concept - live shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 May 2006 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat debuts Ducato "Truckster" concept

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 26 May 2006 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Work

Fiat's Light Commercial Vehicles Division is showing off its brand new Ducato at the Madrid Motor Show today, and to celebrate the launch of the new version the Fiat Style Center has created the "Truckster" show van.

With a style described as "modern and exuberant," the Truckster would certainly stand out in a crowd of tuner vehicles, if only because of its size - over 21 feet in length and 8+ feet high, the winged Truckster is not a vehicle for introverts.

The concept of "sporting performance applied to a commercial vehicle" is manifest in the huge rear-mounted biplane wing, the side pipes, and those must-have sponsor decals adorning the rear quarter. Other features include hydraulic gullwing doors, LED headlights, and a sporty interior treatment. The Truckster rolls on massive 28-inch wheels.

We'll see if we can get our hard-working Madrid Auto Show team to grab some live shots - in the meantime, enjoy the designers' sketches after the jump.

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat debuts Ducato "Truckster" concept

Fiat debuts Ducato "Truckster" concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 May 2006 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat's Ducato officially released

Chris Paukert — Thu, 25 May 2006 19:08:00 EST

Filed under: Work

We first showed you a sneak peak of Fiat's new Ducato commercial truck when a small photo first surfaced on the Internet back in mid-March. But with the official unveiling of the lineup, a brace of new, larger snapshots have become available, along with the range's full story. As we reported earlier, van buyers will have the choice of three wheelbases and heights, along with four lengths. Those just purchasing the chassis (for fitment of aftermarket configurations like a flatbed or Ambulance) will have five lengths tied to four wheelbase options.

The Ducato's fortunes are pivotal to Fiat, with 1.7 million units shifted over the last 25 years. Check out more photos inside and out, along with the press materials at the link.

[Source: DueMotori.com]

Fiat's Ducato officially released originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 May 2006 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat unveils new Ducato commercial vehicle

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 May 2006 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Work, PSA

Fiat's new Ducato has been unveiled in advance of its European debut. The commercial van will be twinned with models the automaker's PSA partners, Peugeot and Citroen. The joint venture project is part of the Sevel group (Società Europea Veicoli Leggeri - European Light Vehicle Company, an arrangement created in 1978.

A full range of bodystyles, capacities and drivetrains will be offered, including four wheelbases and overall heights, seven different cargo area sizes, and five chassis lengths. A quartet of diesel engine options will be available, yoked to five or six-speed transmissions.

Available creature comforts will include an MP3-compatible stereo and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.

More details and specifications at the link.

[Source: car.co.nz]

Fiat unveils new Ducato commercial vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments