The first Ram ProMaster passenger van will be unveiled next week by Chrysler Group at LCT West, the International Limousine, Charter and Tour show held in Las Vegas, NV.
The 15-passenger model, produced by Meridian Specialty Vehicles, Inc., a Las Vegas, NV-based mid-size bus and passenger van manufacturer, is built on the one-ton, 159” extended wheelbase model van.
The ProMaster van, an upgraded North American version of the popular European Fiat Ducato, recently arrived at U.S. and Canadian RAM dealer lots as a cargo-only van. Meridian’s passenger conversion is the first of its kind, designed specifically to provide an affordable, comfortable and spacious riding experience for a wide range of commercial passenger van applications.
Meridian will offer several models in different wheelbases, weight ratings, trim levels, and passenger seating configurations. The interior accommodates an additional 18”-30” of passenger/cargo space over the longest Ford passenger van, three additional seats over the largest Mercedes Benz Sprinter passenger van, a 49-inch by 70-inch side sliding entry door, standard aisle-row configured seating and a 74-inch finished interior ceiling height.
Standard upfit features include rear heat and air conditioning, a durable composite interior paneling system, shoulder-style seatbelts and commercial-grade laminated flooring. The display van also includes optional leatherette seating, backup camera, painted front bumpers and an automatic power entry step. Meridian offers a wide variety of other safety and comfort options to attract the interests of virtually any commercial van operator.
“We are very excited about building our front-line passenger van on the Ram ProMaster platform, primarily because of the availability of upfitter-friendly and user desirable features such as front wheel drive, low floor height, tall ceiling, highly efficient gasoline, CNG and diesel engine options to name a few”, says David Ronsen, President and CEO of Meridian Specialty Vehicles, Inc., “Chrysler’s willingness to work with and support its upfitters has been very well received and if recent months of collaboration and dealer product interest are any indication, our partnership with Chrysler and the ProMaster will be a huge success.”
Meridian will distribute the ProMaster passenger van and other ProMaster-based products exclusively through the Chrysler Ram dealer network and Meridian’s commercial bus dealer network.