What Changing Van Sizes Means for Fleet Owners

Big changes are happening in the commercial vehicle world, and that means there is much to consider for fleet owners. Are you geared up to handle the shifts in van and truck sizes, and aware of how these changes will impact your operations and finances? Follow along with this article as we walk through some history, and your options going forward.

As some of you may or may not be aware, the market for commercial vehicles, particularly cargo vans, has been somewhat chaotic in the last few years. Covid-19 threw a major wrench in auto manufacturing and their supply line which made new vehicles very hard to find, and drastically increased the price on used vehicles. As the years have passed the supply line has come back into balance, but not in the way some may have expected…Specifically when it comes to cargo vans. As of 2024 we have seen a complete discontinuation of the mini cargo van market.

These vans, though small in stature, and market share, provided an economical and convenient alternative to pickup trucks or full-size cargo vans for small businesses and tradespeople. With the complete discontinuation of these mini-cargos, these users are stuck with fewer new options, and nearly all of them are more expensive than the now-extinct mini cargo van. 

At one time, we had 5 options in the mini cargo van category. The Ford Transit Connect (the most popular and longest production run in this category), the Nissan NV200, the Ram ProMaster City, the Chevrolet Express City (rebadged NV200), and the Mercedes Metris. All of these options had particular pros and cons that would have swayed potential buyers in one direction or the other, but they all shared similarities as well. Compared to their full-size counterparts these mini cargo vans won on great gas mileage, reasonable price of maintenance/repairs, and ease of use/maneuverability.

Financial Considerations

As mentioned previously, when Covid-19 disrupted the supply chain of new vehicles, cargo vans were not spared. This shortage drove used prices through the roof across the board. As the market has calmed back down, we would have expected to see the mini-cargo used prices fall, but with their discontinuation, it seems like their used prices are holding somewhat stronger than expected. What this means for would-be buyers is that your options are narrowed down to buying a full size van equivalent, like a Chevy Express, Ford Transit, Dodge ProMaster, or Mercedes Sprinter. As we all know, these full-size equivalents are quite pricey with even the lowest starting prices hovering around $45,000-$50,000. That type of money can be a hard pill to swallow for many businesses, especially ones that don’t necessarily need the additional space or abilities that these larger vans offer. 

While many would shy away from buying used, it may make financial sense depending on your situation. You can still find good examples of these mini cargo vans on a variety of dealer used car lots, and I expect this to stay that way for a while. Prices will obviously vary quite a bit but I would wager you can likely find lower mileage examples for less than half the price of a new full-size equivalent. Definitely something to consider!

Fuel Efficiency and Operating Costs

No part of operating a fleet is cheap, so Fleet Managers and Operators are constantly looking to reduce costs wherever possible. When mini cargo vans were still in production, they offered a few significant cost benefits. The number one benefit from an operating cost standpoint was the fuel mileage. Most mini-cargos average around 24mpg whereas their full-size versions commonly average 15mpg. With the amount of miles that these vans typically see, you’re looking at a significant difference at the pump on a monthly basis.

The second benefit of these smaller vans was the maintenance factor. Generally speaking, the repair costs on these smaller vans were less than their full-size equivalents. Some would make the argument that the full-size vans last longer, but I have seen quite a few NV200s and Transit Connects above 250k miles, which by all accounts, is a pretty decent lifespan.

Training and Workforce Adaptation

Something that tends to get overlooked during the hustle and bustle of a shifting car market is the consideration of the driver’s experience. Now I know when you hear “driver’s experience” you may be thinking, “Oh what is this guy talking about, auto commercials seem to be completely focused around this so-called drivers experience nowadays.”, but hang with me for a second…The experience I’m referring to is not the latest bell or whistle for the infotainment screen. No, I’m talking about your newest hire who has only ever driven a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Not everyone has experience driving something as large as a Ford Transit 350HD when you first hire them, and while anyone with a license can drive one, it’s much different than just driving a sedan. 

This is where I believe that mini cargo vans absolutely shined. They are much less intimidating to drive, and excel in tight, city type environments. They were a great entry for first time tradespeople into the commercial van space. These mini-cargos will fit in most parking garages, even with a small ladder rack on top!

Remaining Options

This leaves us with a few options to consider, are we comfortable with buying used, or do we want to stay with new only? If you’re on a budget and at-ease with a used option, maybe the mini-cargo is calling your name! However, if you only want to stick with new options, then you’ll want to check out the full-size equivalents mentioned above. 

Another option to consider when buying new is the compact or mid-size pickup truck market. Ford is offering Mavericks for pretty enticing prices, and they can even be had in a Hybrid option for those concerned with prices at the pump. Toyota has their Tacoma which is a great option as well, and can be had in some pretty offroad friendly trims, if your jobsite tends to be off the beaten path or in the mud. 

Regardless of which direction you end up taking your fleet, we here at Elite Truck would be happy to help you build out the perfect van or truck setup. As we all know, space can get used up quickly on any of these aforementioned vehicle options. We have a variety of solutions when it comes to maximizing storage on vans and trucks, so you can make the most out of whichever vehicle you decide on!