Unlike the previous models, the fourth generation of the Opel Combo panel van, aka the Combo D, was not really an Opel. It was entirely based on the 2010, second generation of the Fiat Doblò. Late 2017, the production run of these vans with an Opel (or Vauxhall) logo on the grille ended, whereas the Fiat Doblò II is still being offered.
Den Ouden’s SWB (276 cm~108.7”) Combo was first registered on August 30, 2018. The company probably got a good NOS-deal at the dealership.
Splendid color scheme and livery, by the way. This utterly basic commercial vehicle stands out in today’s sea of equally-sized greyness.
The compact van, with a registered payload capacity of 775 kg (1,708 lbs), is powered by a Fiat 1.3 liter Multijet II turbodiesel. Rather optimistic, as its displacement is actually 1,248 cc. Still, the little power unit is good for 95 DIN-hp.
Here’s that other version of the Fiat Doblò II, the Ram ProMaster City, offered in North America (pictured 2018 model year).
Back in 2017, the General left the old building and PSA took both control and care of Opel and Vauxhall. A year later, the fifth and current generation of the Combo became PSA-based (no sign of Stellantis yet) and was merely a rebadged Peugeot Partner~Citroën Berlingo.
See, there it is, the Opel Combo E on the left. Then the mid-size Opel Vivaro C (its origins) and the “brand new”, full-size Ram ProMaster Opel Movano C.
Previously, Opel teamed up with Renault for the development and design of the Vivaro (B-series seen here, on the right) and Movano (B-series, the middleman) commercial vehicles. For obvious reasons, Renault is out of the deal now.
Should the next gen Fiat Doblò be fully based on the fairly new PSA vans, then we’ve got one and the same compact van, wearing seven (!) different badges: Peugeot, Citroën, Toyota, Opel, Vauxhall, Fiat and Ram. A number that not even GM in its best days could have dreamed of.
Multiple ‘ugly stix’ were utilized in it’s creation…..
The mantra “Must avert eyes” is used by me each and every time I see the Dodge ProMaster here in America. It’s cousins are as homely or more so in each variant imaged for our displeasure here )-;
Guess there`s a little confusion here . You`ve written above : ” Back in 2017 the General left the old building and PSA took both and care Opel & Vauxhall… was merely a rebadged Peugeot Partner – Citroen Berlingo “.
To understand it fully , this article should say the earlier Opel Combo was half the cabin of the tiny Opel Corsa with the adition of a big box for cargo loading . Not to mention those Opel Combos of first generation ( made in Portugal and Spain ) were exported towards Uruguay Chile Brazil and Argentina and they immediately got the worst reputation for the little panel van`s niche . So bad utes they neither were replaced by any further Combo .
But the true confusion here is that the Fiat Doblò is a van made in Turkey . Until now, never ever a Fiat Doblò was offered in sibling versions as Peugeot Partner or Citroen Berlingo . These reknown hot sellers PSA`s Partner & Berlingo are following their own design and they already are running its 3rd Series which is completely different from whatever Fiat Doblò . At least in this southern portion of South America , we still dont know whether a Fiat Doblò could be rebadged as Ram ProMaster or Vauxhall Combo, but be sure it`s impossible that Peugeot and Citroen would disguise their high reputated panel vans under the name Opel or Fiat . Infact Fiat Doblòes are still available here imported from Turkey`s Fiat plant , but you`ll never see the shape of the Doblò with a Peugeot or Citroen configuration .
Euro-Combos:
1986 Combo A, based on Kadett E
1993 Combo B, based on Corsa B
2001 Combo C, based on Corsa C
2011 Combo D, based on Fiat Doblò II
2018 Combo E, based on PSA Partner~Berlingo III
OkJohannes👍
Am I right in thinking then that the Combo E would have been better known to me as the Bedford/Vauxhall Astramax? I had no idea the Combo name went back that far. We first saw it as the Corsa B based van.
The letter soup is a bit confusing for sure…
On the Continent, the full name for the Combo A (A for first gen, B for second gen, etc.) was the Opel Kadett Combo. That van was based on the Kadett E, the fifth and last Kadett generation.
Indeed, in the UK known as the Bedford/Vauxhall Astramax.
Interesting, because here in the US the GM-branded (Chevrolet) small van was the Nissan NV200. I see a few of the Nissans around but very few of the Chevies, which were dropped about 3 years ago. Despite the early popularity of the Ford Transit Connect here, the little Ram van seems to be doing well lately with local plumbers, painters etc who might otherwise have used small pickups or older full-size vans.
This segment of panel vans is rarely used as pure cargo vans. They carry tools, small equipment, cans of paint and such, needed for the driver’s main job.
Older ones are popular among farmers, horticulturists and the like. Cheap and handy runabouts. Often very dirty/muddy, and not only on the outside…
I had no idea Toyota was in on these too. They have a ProAce and ProAce City, including all-electric versions for 2022.
I’ve long wondered why Toyota doesn’t sell a commercial and/or full-size van in the US.
The HiAce was withdrawn from the Euro-market many moons ago. For several years, Toyota offered no panel vans. That market in Europe is simply too large to ignore, so they joined forces with PSA. There’s no full-size Toyota van available (yet), though.
Technically, both the compact ProAce City and the mid-size ProAce are PSA vans (powertrain and such).
It speaks for itself that these vans are also offered as people movers with windows all around and rear seats.
There’s a weird US Customs rule about extra duties being applied to commercial trucks, but not to the window-van variants. This is why the Ford Transit vans came over and were delivered to the factory as window vans, whereupon those meant for commercial use had their hind panels pulled off and metal van sides installed … and then of course the ones destined as street vans were sold for a good bit more than the commercials.
That didn’t work out so well for Ford. The govt. says it was a scam to avoid the chicken tax, and Ford is facing penalties of up to $1.3 billion in back taxes and fines.
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-says-it-could-face-13-billion-new-penalties-after-court-ruling-2021-06-03/
Could wish the US Government were functional enough for somebody with the fortitude to set about eliminating the Chicken Tax to have a chance of actually succeeding.
GM and Ford have always supported the chicken tax unsurprisingly, despite Ford having to spend some money to muck with the Transit importation. It’s worth it to effectively seal out Japanese pickups and European vans. And these companies (and their employees) have political clout, especially since Michigan is a swing state.
Of course you’re right, that’s exactly what’s going on—and shouldn’t be. Not in a place where it’s popular to crow and brag about freedom and free markets and free trade and all that.
” It’s worth it to effectively seal out Japanese pickups and European vans.”
The vans, sure, but unless I’m mistaken, all the Japanese pickups meant for the North American market are made in NA anyway, and have been for decades. So what is the Chicken Tax even accomplishing in that regard?
Well, the chicken tax might be the reason. European market Ford Rangers and Mazda B Series are or were made in Thailand and I think Mitsubishis are too.
We dont any GM badged variant anymore Holden ran screaming from the market the fanbois couldnt cope with their favourite model either coming from France or being FWD or both though our Police had them and love them performance in the real world that leaves the old RWD dinosaur in the dust and handling to match so now they are getting Skodas thought Ive yet to see one in police livery. We used to get Combo vans as Holdens and Opels and Vauxhall versions are here on the road but not as new now.