Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois – While sometimes overlooked by the average consumer, commercial vehicles play a critical role in the growth of new industries, small businesses, construction and delivery companies. Dave Sowers, head of Ram Commercial Trucks, took time to relay the importance of this fast-growing segment to the Midwest Automotive Media Association during MAMA’s August meeting.

Sowers said that Chicago is the No. 4 van market in the U.S. CYTD. It is also the fastest growing major market, up 21 percent year-over-year. The Ram brand now has the most complete line-up of vehicles in a long time and is excited about the 2016 Ram ProMaster City, Ram’s newest addition to its commercial vehicle lineup. ProMaster City contributes to the expanding, purpose-built van segment with functional elements tied directly to commercial customer demand. Sowers expanded to say that ProMaster City opens a door for incremental growth of Ram’s brand sales volumes. It is typically bought by small business owners, such as caterers, florists, dry cleaners and bakers, and offers best-in-class standard features where they count, including:

• 178 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque
• Payload – 1,883 pounds
• Cargo volume – 131.7 cubic feet
• Unsurpassed 24 combined mpg (21 mpg city/29 mpg highway)
• Unsurpassed towing capacity – 2,000 lbs.
• Exclusive 9-speed automatic transmission
• Powertrain warranty – five years/60,000 miles

After a delicious lunch and presentation, MAMA members walked outside to check out three Ram trucks on display: ProMaster City, ProMaster and Ram Chassis Cab. An up fitted Ram ProMaster showcased Bosch tools and provided greater insight to how businesses use these large vans. 

Whether focusing on a family that uses a Ram 1500 day-in and day-out, a hard-working Ram 3500 Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its Ram ProMaster commercial van every day for deliveries, Ram has the truck market covered.