Multifunctional Full Size Conversion Vans

Added: 01/28/2006

A van can be defined as a vehicle which can be used for the transportation of both goods and people. The full size, or standard vans, were originally produced in the United States by three manufacturers: General Motors, Dodge and Ford. In some urban areas of the country, full sized vans have been used as commuter vans, able to transport up to fifteen passengers. Vans are also used to transport people and their luggage between airports and hotels.

The capaciousness of the full size conversion van has made them suitable for a number of transportation tasks, from delivery services to carrying people. They still also serve as the spacious recreational vehicles, being the only type to mate space for as many as fifteen persons. Due to their multifunctionality and large capacity, full size conversion van now enjoys a wide popularity, which results in the large number of car manufacturers launching new models to the market. One of them is Chevrolet, specializing in GM H-Series and G-Series.

Together with its twin the GMC Savana, the Chevrolet Express is a full size conversion van, introduced first in 1997 as an alternative to the GMC Vandura. Used often by plumbers and electricians, the Express is popular as a work vehicle, seen by many as the American equivalent of the white vans in the United Kingdom. However, with a seating capacity of 8-15 passengers, it is also available as a passenger van and is used sometimes as a shuttle bus. The major rivals of the Express are the Dodge Ram Van, the Dodge Sprinter, and the Ford E-Series.

Today as ever, Dodge is one of the leading manufacturers of full size vans, used mainly for passengers' transportation. There are several major variations: the Dodge Sportsman, the Dodge Tradesman and the Dodge Ram Van together with its successor the Dodge Sprinter. The Dodge Sportsman is a full size passenger van, equipped with side widows and passenger seating, which cannot be found in the Dodge Tradesman. In the late 1970s, it was marketed as the Plymouth Voyager.

The Dodge Ram Van and its successor, the Dodge Sprinter, were marketed by the Chrysler Corporation under the Dodge brand. Designed on the B platform, these full size vans were first produced in 1971, marketed as the Dodge passenger vans. The Sprinter was launched in 1995 in Europe, replacing the outdated Mercedes-Benz T1 van. It was designed originally for business, and not consumer use. In 2003, a Dodge version of the Sprinter was introduced by DaimlerChrysler as an alternative to the aging Dodge Ram Van.

The Ford Motor Company introduced its line of full size conversion vans and truck chassis, in 1961, as the Ford E-Series. Four years later, the European division of the company launched the Ford Transit, which has been in continuous production for more than four decades already.

Launched originally as the Transporter 2 in 1986, the Mercedes-Benz Vario acquired its current name in 1996. Throughout its history it has proved a prominent base chassis for minicoaches and minibuses. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class comprises two models of vans - the Viano and the Vaneo. While the former is based on the Vito Panel Van, the latter is a vivid representative of the A-Class. Assembled both at the Victoria factory, located in Northern Spain, the Viano and Vito differ in interior fittings. The V-Class has market sales in Asia, Europe, Martinique and Cote d'Ivoire. However, it is not for sale in the United States. In 2006 the company plans to stop production of the Vaneo and launch the new Sprinter.

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