The Fiat Ducato is a light commercial vehicle jointly developed by FCA Italy and PSA Group (currently Stellantis), and mainly manufactured by Sevel, a joint venture between the two companies since 1981. It has also been sold as the Citroën C25, Peugeot J5, Alfa Romeo AR6 and Talbot Express and later as the Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper (Relay first in the United Kingdom and then in Australia; Dispatch in Australia as a shorter variant), and Peugeot Boxer (Manager in Mexico), from 1994 onwards. It entered the North American market as the Ram ProMaster in May 2014 for the 2015 model year.
In Europe, it is produced at the Sevel Sud factory, in Atessa, Italy. It has also been produced at the Iveco factory in Sete Lagoas, Brazil, at the Karsan factory in Akçalar, Turkey, at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Saltillo Van Assembly Plant in Saltillo, Mexico, and at the Fiat-Sollers factory in Elabuga, Russia. Since 1981, more than 2.6 million Fiat Ducatos have been produced. The name "Ducato" is a reference to the ducat; after the Fiorino, this was the second Fiat light commercial vehicle to be named after ancient coinage.
In July 2019, the electric version of the Ducato developed by FCA Italy was presented, and sales commenced in 2020. Since the 2021 model year, the Ducato has also been rebadged as the Opel/Vauxhall Movano, replacing the previous model Movano, which from 1998 until 2021 had been based on the Renault Master.
The Ducato is the most common motorhome base used in Europe; with around two-thirds of motorhomes using the Ducato base.
First generation (1981)
The Ducato was first launched in 1981, and was the result of Fiat's collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën, that resulted in the vehicle's development starting in 1978. The vehicles were manufactured at the Sevel Val di Sangro plant in Atessa, in central Italy, and at the Sevel Campania plant in Pomigliano d'Arco, Naples, together with the similar Alfa Romeo AR6, Citroën C25, and Peugeot J5 versions. The Peugeot J5 was sold as the Talbot Express in the United Kingdom (1986–1994). The collaboration of Fiat and PSA had earlier produced the Fiat 242 and Citroën C35 from 1974.
For the Fiat, engines were 2.0 litre 4-cylinder petrol or 1.9 litre diesel. Trim levels were base, S, and SX. Model variants were named according to carrying capacity: Ducato 10 (1.0 tons), Ducato 13 (1.3 tons), Ducato 14 (1.4 tons), and Ducato Maxi 18 (1.8 tons). The Ducato Mk1 was very popular as a basis for campervan conversions. A short-wheelbase version was sold as Fiat Talento.
In August 1992, some Fiat Ducatos were built with the T29C electric DC motor from Leroy-Somer, named as the Ducato Elettra powered by 28 six-volt valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) gel cell batteries, producing 168 volts DC and 160 amperes, in a wooden box weighing 868 kg. This 4765 × 1965 × 2100 mm transporter (maximum gross weight 3190 kg) had a vehicle payload of 750 kg and a range up to 70 kilometers.
Fiat Talento
The Fiat Talento (Italian pronunciation: ) is a light commercial vehicle produced by the Italian automaker Fiat, first sold in 1981 as a short-wheelbase version of the Ducato. It has been offered in two non-consecutive generations, as the nameplate made its return as a rebadged Renault Trafic (X82) in 2016. In 1994, the first generation Talento was discontinued. The name continues Fiat's practice of naming their commercial vehicles after old currencies, with "talento" referring to the talent, a unit of measurement often used for precious metals.
Alfa Romeo AR6
The Alfa Romeo AR6 was a badge-engineered Ducato sold by Alfa Romeo on the Italian market only, as a replacement for the Alfa Romeo Romeo. It was available in two different wheelbase lengths, and as a passenger van, commercial van, or pick-up truck. It was also the final commercial vehicle sold by Alfa Romeo. The Alfa Romeo AR6 was produced in the Sevel Campania plant (formerly owned by ARVECO – Alfa Romeo Industrial Vehicles) of Pomigliano d'Arco, Naples, until 1 January 1986, when Alfa Romeo dropped out of the commercial vehicle business entirely. Production of the Fiat Ducato continued in the same plant until 1994 when it was closed.
Citroën C25
The Citroën C25 was a 2.5 tonne capacity van (hence the name C25) produced from October 1981 until 1993. The C25 succeeded the dated corrugated Citroën Type H post war one tonne van. The C25's engines are transversely mounted; the petrol one is a Peugeot 504 unit whilst the diesel one is from the Citroën CX diesel. Both units are coupled to a Citroën gearbox.