On Dec 15, 2010, Chrysler received Trademark Office approval for the names Cuda and Statesmen.
To Chrysler fans across the world Cuda (Serial Number 85198502 ) rang an instant bell. The Plymouth Barracuda is one of the most sought-after muscle cars around. Trouble is, it's also a Plymouth. Chances are good that Chrysler Corp has no plans for this name other than to retain the rights. Dodge Cuda? Nah...doesn't sound right.
More interesting, however is the registration of "Tradesman." ( Serial Number 85198506 )This long-forgotten Dodge Van could very well see a resurgence in 2012 based on the Fiat Ducato Goods Transport Van. After the break-up with Mercedes, Dodge had to give back the Sprinter and a chunk of commercial business they probably enjoyed. Well, Fiat to the rescue. Fiat has a line of commercial vans available in Europe that they would love to sell here to a market soon to be chock-full-o vans as Nissan is bringing one soon, too.
(Renderings-- including one with a mural as is the Tradesman style-- by Mark Takahashi)
hybris says:
06:23 PM, 12/21/10
Wow that is a ugly nose on that thing, which doesn't surprise me as all of Dodges Full size trucks and vans seem to have front end problems to one degree or another.
I do like the airbrushing though.
altimadude05 says:
08:09 PM, 12/21/10
This is the worst photochop I've seen yet. While I agree that they'll change the lower front panel, it can't look that bad. Nice try though, Mark.
I hope Chrysler outsells the old Sprinter model with this so they can stick it to MB.
greenpony says:
08:31 PM, 12/21/10
I like the red duct tape over "Plymouth". The Ram grille, not so much.
lostboyz says:
03:37 AM, 12/22/10
someone needs to head back to photoshop 101
jriz says:
06:12 AM, 12/22/10
^^ Sometimes the point is to make it bad...
mrryte says:
07:07 AM, 12/22/10
@jriz-
In that case: mission accomplished.
rsholland says:
09:46 AM, 12/22/10
It will be interesting to see how this performs, as this truck is FWD, not RWD.
rsholland says:
09:47 AM, 12/22/10
Also, will it be sold as Dodge, or as a RAM?
firstwagon says:
04:31 PM, 12/22/10
Not really sure why Dodge need Fiat (or Mercedes) to build a van for them. A van is just a box on a pick up truck platform and Dodge has an excellent pick up already.
lostboyz says:
03:52 AM, 12/23/10
@firstwagon, there haven't been any BOF vans in quite some time
firstwagon says:
01:32 PM, 12/23/10
Seriously? I didn't know the Econoline was a unibody (but then I don't really follow cargo vans). With all the commercial variations it would make more sense to be BOF.
Maybe that could give Dodge a niche above the others, a more versitile work van platform.
wjtinatl says:
11:27 AM, 01/ 5/11
I'm pretty sure the Ford E-Series is still built on a full ladder frame. They are by far the favorites for cutaway conversions to Motorhomes, airport buses, box trucks, etc. I think when GM redesigned it's vans in the early 2000 time frame, they switched to full-frame as well, to better capture some of the market they had been losing to Ford. That completely exhausts my knowledge (and interest) in the full-size van market.