Stellantis plans to begin producing its next-generation large van at the start of 2029, paving the way for replacements for the Citroen Relay, Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall Movano.
Emanuele Cappellano, chief operating officer for Enlarged Europe and head of Stellantis Pro One, confirmed the timetable in an exclusive interview with Professional Van at IAA Transportation in Hanover.
“We recently announced a €1 billion [£860m] investment for the Atessa plant in Italy, where we have historically produced the large van,” Cappellano told us.
“The project is ongoing, the investment is ongoing, and our target is to start with the new generation at the beginning of 2029.”
The announcement gives the clearest indication yet of when Stellantis will replace a large-van platform whose basic structure dates back two decades.
The current Fiat Ducato, Citroen Relay and Peugeot Boxer were introduced in 2006, although repeated updates have brought new engines, electric powertrains, safety systems and interior technology. The Vauxhall Movano moved onto the same Stellantis platform in 2021 following the formation of the wider group.
The timing raises questions over the lifespan of the new Iveco eSuperJolly. Based on the existing Stellantis large electric van, the eSuperJolly is due to enter the UK market in October 2026 — potentially giving the current model little more than two years on sale before production of the next-generation platform begins.
However, Iveco’s supply agreement with Stellantis runs for ten years, making it likely that the eSuperJolly will eventually migrate to the new architecture rather than disappear altogether. Stellantis has not confirmed when, or whether, the Iveco version will make that transition.
Stellantis also supplies versions of its existing large electric van to Toyota, but Cappellano did not confirm whether those partnerships will extend to the forthcoming generation.
New Stellantis large van part of wider product plan
The new large van forms part of an extensive Stellantis Pro One product programme that will introduce 11 commercial models by 2030.
However, not all will be European vans. Cappellano said the programme also includes pickups and other commercial vehicles intended for North and South America.
“This is just one of the product developments we are working on,” he explained. “Overall, we are targeting 11 new models. There are, of course, some pickups for North America and South America, but it is quite an extensive investment plan for vans and commercial vehicles in general.”
Stellantis has yet to disclose the platform, dimensions, payload ratings or powertrain range planned for the 2029 model.
During its IAA presentation, the company said its next-generation commercial vehicle platforms would support several powertrain types, from electric models to internal combustion engines, with a strong emphasis on hybrid technology.
Cappellano subsequently confirmed that Stellantis was developing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and range-extender solutions across its future commercial vehicle range, but stopped short of confirming which systems would be offered in the new large van.
Converters involved in new van development
Converters and motorhome manufacturers are being involved in the development process, reflecting the Ducato’s particularly strong position as the basis for campervans and larger motorhomes.
Cappellano estimated that approximately 120,000 to 130,000 recreational vehicles are sold across Europe each year, with Stellantis products accounting for around 65% of the market.
“We are now investing in a new generation of large vans, and we are leveraging this experience,” Cappellano said.
“The way we are approaching the development is by involving our customers and converters to understand which tools and features they want, and the characteristics they need from the vehicle.”
He added that converters have very specific requirements and that Stellantis could not simply develop the vehicle independently before presenting it as a finished product.
“It is not just our approach to say, ‘This is the vehicle, take it.’ We are working together on the new generation of the vehicle.”
Conversion readiness is likely to remain particularly important for the next model. The present Stellantis large vans support applications ranging from parcel delivery and construction work to ambulances, refrigerated vehicles and motorhomes.
When will the new large Stellantis vans arrive in the UK?
Production of the underlying next-generation large van is targeted to begin at Atessa in early 2029. Stellantis has not yet confirmed when each brand will reveal its version or when right-hand-drive models will reach UK customers.
Names have not been formally announced either, although Relay, Boxer, Ducato and Movano are all well-established badges and would be expected to continue unless Stellantis changes its naming strategy.
More information will emerge as the development programme progresses, but operators waiting for an entirely new Stellantis large van now have their first meaningful date: early 2029.
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