If you've been waiting for cargo van prices to normalize since the pandemic, stop waiting. They're not going back. The Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster 2500, and Mercedes Sprinter are all still pricing well above their 2019 baselines — and with supply chains stabilized, manufacturers have little incentive to discount.
The other thing working against you: commercial loan rates haven't come back to earth either. You're financing at 2-3 points higher than 2020 operators were, which means your monthly carrying cost is higher even if the sticker looks the same. Total cost of ownership has fundamentally shifted. If you're still running the same acquisition math you used four years ago, your numbers are wrong.
Lead times are another reality check. Specific trim and roof configurations — the high-roof 159" wheelbase ProMasters that dominate dense urban routes, for instance — can run 4 to 6 months in high-demand markets. If you need units for Q3, you should be buying in Q1.
The good news is residual values have remained relatively stable across all three platforms. Trade-in math still works in your favor if you're cycling vans at the right mileage. The operators getting squeezed are the ones who bought at peak pricing and held too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cargo van prices still elevated after the pandemic? Yes. Commercial van prices remain 14–18% above 2019 baselines as of early 2026. Supply chain normalization has not translated into pre-pandemic pricing — constrained production capacity and persistent demand from last-mile growth are keeping prices elevated.
What is a fair price for a new ProMaster in 2026? ProMaster 2500 MSRP is holding around $48,500 in 2026. Fleet pricing typically runs 3–6% below MSRP depending on volume commitments and dealer relationships.
Should DSP operators buy or wait for prices to drop? Waiting has cost operators more than buying in each of the past three years. If acquisition is operationally necessary, the relevant question is financing structure and equity timeline — not whether prices will fall.