What are Dodge cargo vans called?
Historical naming and evolution
Here's a concise look at the main names Dodge and its successor Ram used for cargo vans over the years.
- Dodge Ram Van — the full-size cargo/people-van family used from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
- Dodge Sprinter — the U.S. badge for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, marketed roughly from 2003 to 2009.
- Ram ProMaster — the modern, Fiat Ducato–based full-size cargo van introduced for the Ram lineup in the 2014 model year (replacement for the Sprinter in Ram’s lineup).
- Ram ProMaster City — the smaller Ram cargo van introduced to complement the ProMaster lineup (around the 2015 model year).
The progression shows how Dodge’s cargo-van branding transitioned from Ram Van to the Sprinter badge, and ultimately to the Ram ProMaster family, reflecting broader corporate alliances and rebranding efforts.
The modern Ram ProMaster lineup
The current generation of Ram cargo vans is built around the ProMaster family, which includes two main models designed for different commercial needs: a full-size cargo van and a smaller city/urban delivery van.
Ram ProMaster
The Ram ProMaster is a full-size cargo van built on a Fiat Ducato–based platform, typically offered with multiple wheelbases and roof heights to suit various trades, delivery fleets, and service needs. It emphasizes front-wheel-drive efficiency and configurable cargo space for a wide range of business applications.
Ram ProMaster City
The Ram ProMaster City is the smaller companion in the lineup, targeting urban and regional deliveries with a more compact footprint, easier maneuverability in tight city streets, and still-capable payload and cargo options.
Branding today and how to identify them
In today’s market, the cargo vans used in the Ram lineup carry Ram badging rather than the Dodge brand. This reflects the broader shift in FCA/Stellantis branding, with Ram functioning as the commercial-van umbrella and Dodge stepping back from the cargo-van segment.
Summary
Across decades, Dodge cargo vans started as the Ram Van, then carried the Dodge Sprinter badge during the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter era, and finally evolved into the Ram ProMaster and Ram ProMaster City in the modern lineup. Today, these commercial vans are branded as Ram, with the ProMaster family serving as the current flagship for full-size and compact van needs.
