Drew Dowdell

It is an indicator of it's abilities. If the Ducato provides for better fuel economy and/or better ride and/or a good out the door price.... it will sell. It's not just another Econoline... and that's it's advantage. Lots of "ifs" in there. It will be the comparison to Sprinter that will tell the tale. If it can do any one of them, it will have a leg up on the market. The Econoline rides rough. Even an Express is a luxury cruiser compared to the Ford. The Econoline's best available fuel economy is about 12 city/17 highway because you can't get the V6 anymore. The Ducato gets up to 32mpg highway in it's most basic form with a diesel and 5-speed. Even if that were to drop to 25mpg with an automatic, that's a BIG difference over the Ford or GM counterparts. Base MSRP for the Econoline is $26,055. The cheapest GMC Savanna is $25,600 with the weezy 4.3 V6. You can't even TOUCH a Freightliner Sprinter for less than $35,000. There is room in the market for the Ducato. Get it in around $27k with the diesel as the base engine and they'll sell every one they can import.

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It is an indicator of it's abilities. If the Ducato provides for better fuel economy and/or better ride and/or a good out the door price.... it will sell. It's not just another Econoline... and that's it's advantage.

So? 1. Businesses are composed of humans. Humans are emotional (even if the emotional response is an unconcious one). Maybe these will sell, maybe they will not, but the emotional aspect will remain. 2. Europe is no indicator for our market. 3. Of course not, but I hope they reduce the ugly before they release these vans. 1. A plumber/electrician/cable t.v. installer doesn't care about the look of the van. Look at how beat up most of them get (with little to no repairs done) in just a few years of service. All they care about is having a nice flat area to have their name painted on. Fleet managers care even less. You think the vehicle buyer at FedEx is going to care? 2. Europe is an indicator of their capabilities.... or do you think they don't have electricians, plumbers, and small package delivery there? (seriously... get out of the woods a bit more) 3. They won't because it doesn't matter to the target market. 1. You are simply mistaken here, contractors do care about how their work trucks look - they take great pride in that. Trust me, I know. Fleet managers are another breed entirely. 2. Again, So? Different markets, different preferences. Sprinter sold based on a distinct interior height advantage, what new thing does this Fiat bring to market? Europe's use of this van is neither a plus nor minus for its market performance here. Completely irrelevant. 3. Put it next to the Sprinter and ask the question again. 1. I see we need a "find the crappiest looking work van" car-spotters. 2. Sprinter also sold based on ability to have a high(er) fuel economy diesel without having to go to an HD. The Ducato isn't even offered in a gasoline version. I expect it will be diesel here as well. As far as the mid-level contractor market (plumbers, electricians, etc.) you have a really distorted view of Europe. For that target market, there is nothing an Econoline can do that a Ducato cannot. 3. The Sprinter isn't a particularly attractive piece itself. Dodge sold 14,600 Sprinters in 2008. If that's the benchmark they have to hit... the Ducato will be fine.

So? 1. Businesses are composed of humans. Humans are emotional (even if the emotional response is an unconcious one). Maybe these will sell, maybe they will not, but the emotional aspect will remain. 2. Europe is no indicator for our market. 3. Of course not, but I hope they reduce the ugly before they release these vans. 1. A plumber/electrician/cable t.v. installer doesn't care about the look of the van. Look at how beat up most of them get (with little to no repairs done) in just a few years of service. All they care about is having a nice flat area to have their name painted on. Fleet managers care even less. You think the vehicle buyer at FedEx is going to care? 2. Europe is an indicator of their capabilities.... or do you think they don't have electricians, plumbers, and small package delivery there? (seriously... get out of the woods a bit more) 3. They won't because it doesn't matter to the target market.

Three things. 1. Businesses are emotional about one thing: money. If these vans provide a good value, are reliable, and are fuel efficient. They'll sell. 2. You can't swing a dead cat in Europe without hitting a Ducato. They are the European version equivalent to the Econoline. They can do the work that most will ask of them. 3. Ram needs something to replace the Sprinter.... or are you suggesting they simply cede these markets to Ford?

Since when do contractor and delivery vans need to be pretty?

It's not a particularly fun car to drive with a manual transmission..... and it's missing a gear when equipped as such.

Have gas prices already started affecting used SUV/Truck pricing? March 6th 2011 - Drew Dowdell - CheersandGears.com According to GasBuddy.com, the national average for gasoline has spiked from $3.12 per gallon to $3.49 per gallon between February 16th and March 6th. As some of you know, I keep an eye on prices for used Chevrolet Avalanches and Oldsmobile Bravadas. I am already noticing a drop in pricing on just these two models. For example, an '05 Avalanche with 63,000 miles and leather near me has an asking price of just $17,999. Six months ago, an Avalanche with that equipment would be over $20k used. Higher mileage examples have fallen from the $17k range to the $13k - $14 range. This 2006 Ford Expedition XLT with 63,000 miles is down to $15,954 Early reports are indicating that consumers are reacting much quicker than before and are already pulling back their spending due to high gasoline prices. So what have you observed in you local area?

I don't see why not. Flower delivery shops aren't particularly brand conscious when it comes to their delivery vehicles. Price out the door + Fuel Economy + utility = win for them. Brand name or even looks doesn't really enter into the equation. Joe The Plumber will still want his Econoline 250.... and that's fine.

although its like saying which STD is less crappy to have. To be fair the Kizashi is a pretty good car....but that's really it. The SX4 has AWD but its outclassed by most of its rivals. The Grand Vitara...do they even sell those anymore? Then there's that Frontier rebadge. Do they have anything else? But hey, congrats on the job, hope it works for you. thanks. believe me, I understand the skepticism. But for example,,,,,the one guy I had today who had been looking at CRV........If i can put him in a GV with hard duty 4wd, nav with Garmin features, leather, sunroof, and ladder frame SUV for almost 23k with 100k powertrain.....at 0%..........why does he choose Honda? Drew of course knows how awesome a CRV is..... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........ huh...? did someone mention me? ..... sorry, I was in the CR-V.

Either of them coming over with diesel engines and a reasonable price could be a segment changer

Sounds like a safe car at least. It drive a CPO.

Wish I could've gotten a pic. White Riviera and white Eldorado in formation with me on the highway. It was early 80's luxury on parade.

I want that FWB

Mitsubishi is turning into a slightly richer man's Isuzu.

lol!

Yes please.

I guess for those that don't get it. Rolls Royce used to refuse to publish horsepower figures in their literature. They would simply list it as "sufficient"

800 nm of torque?! (that's 590 lb-ft to us yanks) I'd say that's "sufficient"

I'm going to have to read that CR article for once. There were times where the dash would say I had X miles left of EV range. I'd drive 10 miles and then I'd have X-4 of EV range. If they're going just by the number on the dash... it's just an estimate.

Welcome back!

On GM photography?! NO WAI!

I emailed them last month asking for the breakdown and they said they don't track that. Not sure why they couldn't.....

hey, I'd gladly take a free Lucerne.