Dodge 50 Series
| Company type | Light commercial vehicle series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Dodge Walk-Thru stepvan, Dodge Spacevan |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Light commercial vehicles, vans, trucks |
The Dodge 50 Series, which was later rebranded as the Renault 50 Series, comprised light commercial vehicles manufactured in the UK by Chrysler Europe and subsequently by Renault Véhicules Industriels between 1979 and 1993. These models succeeded the earlier Dodge Walk-Thru stepvan and the smaller Dodge Spacevan cab-over vans. While the cab design was derived from the American Dodge B series, it was modified to comply with European standards. The chassis, however, was a distinct British creation, sharing no parts with its larger American counterparts.
Spanning a gross vehicle weight range of , the 50 Series featured a diverse selection of chassis and body styles. Engine choices included several diesel variants, notably the Perkins Phaser and 4.236 units, designed to meet various commercial demands.
In the early 1990s, Reynolds Boughton (now known as Boughton Engineering) produced a four-wheel-drive version called the RB44, broadening the series' application in niche sectors.
Versions
Numerous bodybuilders transformed these vehicles into different forms, ranging from tipper trucks to passenger buses. A significant number were constructed as "chassis cabs" intended for box bodies, which were commonly employed by UK utility firms and often equipped with compressors and generators. This vehicle type experienced a decline partly due to reliability challenges when integrating plant equipment with the drivetrain. Nonetheless, the 50 Series was robustly engineered. Utility companies have since shifted preference toward smaller vans that tow generators. The four-wheel-drive model found some deployment within the British army, standing out as one of the few domestically produced trucks in its category capable of transporting heavier loads than even the largest Land Rover variants.
Chrysler received financial backing from the British Government to support the faltering British motor industry. Despite inheriting multiple underperforming marques and factories from the Rootes Group, including commercial brands like Commer and Karrier, alongside its French operations, Chrysler Europe faced ongoing difficulties achieving profitability. In 1978, Chrysler divested its European division by selling it to Peugeot. Following this acquisition, passenger cars and smaller vans were marketed under the Talbot name.
Peugeot takeover
Peugeot displayed minimal enthusiasm for large commercial vehicles; production of heavier models was maintained through collaboration with Renault Véhicules Industriels, which aimed to establish a UK facility for engine manufacturing to supply Renault-branded vehicles. They sustained production of the 50 Series, along with the smaller Dodge (previously Commer) Spacevan and the substantial Dodge 100 / Commando 2 Series trucks rated at . The rebranding process toward Renault badges was gradual, with certain units featuring both Dodge insignia and Renault’s diamond emblem.
Renault 50
By 1987, the updated 50 Series had transitioned fully to the Renault 50 Series badge; new models no longer bore the Dodge name within the UK market. (Meanwhile, Chrysler maintained an independent Dodge brand in North America, reintroducing Dodge passenger cars from the USA into the UK in 2006.) Production of the 50 Series under Renault continued until 1993; however, it never achieved strong market success due to internal competition from Renault’s own Master van, which was preferred in export markets.
In 1994, Renault sold the manufacturing equipment for this series to a Chinese company to repurpose their UK facility for high-volume engine production.
See also
External links
- Rootes-Chrysler information portal – Spacevan and associated models
- Dedicated Dodge 50 website featuring manuals, photo gallery, and discussion forum
- Overview of Reynolds Boughton RB44
- Official Boughton Engineering website
- Photograph of a Dodge/Renault 50 located in Malta