The commercial vehicle segment is one of the strongest in Europe . Transportation is essential for both individuals and businesses. Without it, trade and the exchange of goods, services, and various transactions are impossible. And due to its strategic importance, groups like Stellantis want to be there to lead the way . In fact, the European Union once considered whether its emergence would lead to a "mini-monopoly."
This move was logical, as Stellantis brings together Citroën , Fiat Professional , Opel , Peugeot , Vauxhall, and RAM . With so many brands and such a wide variety of products, it was reasonable to expect them to dominate the entire segment. And now that the electrification of the automotive sector is a reality, they have unveiled the Pro One strategy to become number one. The plan involves investing in electric vehicles, hydrogen, and, at the same time, updating their entire range in one fell swoop. Stay tuned.
Citroën, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall renew their entire range under the Stellantis Pro One strategy…
If you look closely, Stellantis published a joint official press release , and then each of the participating companies followed suit. Citroën, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot, Vauxhall, and RAM have all showcased the evolution of their product ranges. At first glance, this evolution might seem purely cosmetic, but it's not . Building upon their respective platforms, they've integrated improvements to their electric powertrains, including increased range, enhanced connectivity, and driver assistance features.
Thus, in the Citroën range, we see that the ë-Berlingo , ë-Jumpy , and ë-Jumper sport the brand's new logo . The Ami Cargo, for the time being, retains the previous logo, although it shouldn't be long before it adopts the new one. A curious detail is the new design of the Jumpy's headlights, which replicate the LED daytime running lights of the new ë-C3. The grilles have also been updated with a new interior design that mimics the chevrons, and LED headlight technology is now standard.
The Fiat range also sees some changes. The Doblò , Scudo, and Ducato feature updated LED daytime running lights, bringing them closer to the Ducato's design. The grille is also new, featuring the brand's redesigned logo. At Peugeot , the E-Partner , E-Expert , and E-Boxer also get new headlights, grille logos, and bumpers . Finally, the changes to the Opel Combo , Vivaro , and Movano mirror those in the Vauxhall range.
Their electric ranges range from 330 to 420 kilometers and hydrogen will take center stage in 2024…
Technically speaking, there are no changes to Stellantis' commercial vehicles . Their platforms remain the same, and the reason is that they won't be changing generations until the new STLA family is fully ready. Even so, the commitment to electrification is complete, as the average ranges increase to between 320 and 350 kilometers. To achieve this, their updated batteries range from 50 kWh to 75 kWh in capacity.
The largest electric vans integrate a 110 kWh battery. Thanks to this, they achieve a combined range of 420 kilometers . To charge these batteries, the charging power increases to 150 kW, allowing them to recover from 0% to 80% of their range in less than an hour. Later, around 2024, the arrival of the second generation of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles is planned, with a range of 400 kilometers.
The hydrogen technology will be entirely developed by Stellantis and will also be available in larger vans. The estimated range for these vans is 500 kilometers, and this should be standard across all brands. Furthermore, the range now includes a 400-volt electric power take-off (ePTO) that powers electrical components. It draws its energy from the installed traction battery instead of requiring a separate power source.
The interiors improve with new infotainment systems and new driving aids for level 2 autonomy…
Inside, Stellantis has also improved areas such as infotainment , connectivity, and the entire suite of active driver assistance systems. They report introducing a new human-machine interface (HMI) that enhances safety and productivity . As a result, all models feature new digital instrument clusters that are not only larger but also more configurable. Furthermore, connectivity is now wireless with new features.
They now offer new services such as preventive maintenance tracking and specific charging routes to ensure the electric vehicle range is covered by charging stations. For compact vans, a mobile app is available that allows you to pair your phone and turn it into a control panel. Integration is seamless, as it can also be used with the steering wheel controls. The 360Âş Dynamic Surround Vision system has also been improved.
Finally, Level 2 autonomous driving is now available in Stellantis' larger vans. This is achieved through a combination of active driving aids, such as adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, lane keeping assist, and traffic jam assist. All of this allows drivers greater control while also reducing their workload in heavy traffic situations, such as traffic jams or in large cities.
And what about RAM? Will any of your electric or pickup trucks arrive in Europe?
According to the official press release published by Stellantis…
"The RAM brand's commercial vehicle product lineup will be revitalized in North America with upcoming electrified trucks and pickups, including the RAM ProMaster EV by the end of 2023 and the RAM 1500 EV by the end of 2024. The future portfolio includes hydrogen fuel cell technology. Details will be released in the future."
Therefore, we'll have to keep a close eye on all the latest news from Stellantis because, now more than ever, it seems they're going to make a splash in the commercial vehicle segment. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Toyota, Daimler AG, and the Volkswagen Group and Ford Motor Company should be worried… Or not?
Source – Stellantis – Stellantis Pro One
