The aftermarket wheels, the markings on the cargo doors, the absence of a company name. That and the fact it was parked nearby a building reconstruction site make me think this stocky little fellow belongs to a self-employed construction worker or crane/excavator operator.
A wise commercial vehicle choice, budget-friendly to the max. Unless you feel the urge to ride a cargo bike to haul your tools and gear to the job site, very early in the morning.
The Peugeot Bipper was unveiled in October 2007, together with the identical Citroën Nemo and third gen Fiat Fiorino. It’s rolling on Fiat’s (and GM’s) SCCS platform, aka Small Platform, first used for the 2005 Fiat Grande Punto and later on also for subcompact Opels.
This 2009 Bipper cargo van is powered by PSA’s DV4, 1.4 liter HDi turbodiesel with a maximum power output of 70 DIN-hp. The registered payload capacity is 635 kg (1,400 lbs). With its wheelbase of only 251 cm (98.9”), it’s a certified subcompact alright.
The utilitarian interior fits the bill. There’s not much more to add, really.
And while the production run of the PSA Bipper and Nemo vans ended in late 2017, the Fiat Fiorino got an update and is still going strong and small.
Just like the unrelated South-American Fiat Fiorino, as a matter of fact. Also offered with a Ram or Peugeot badge. One continent, one Stellantis.
Just came back from vacation in Paris and driving tour of Normandy. These compact vans were everywhere in Paris and clogging the Autoroute!!!
Some in great shape, some reflected years of service. Yet, they would cut you off and put fear in taxi drivers!!
IIRC, Ford and Ram will withdraw their US fleets in the near future.
WHO just came back ???
I would gladly own a cargo van that size and suspect that for around-town trips it would be my go-to vehicle. This inspired me to visit the Ram site, whereupon it seems that the smallest Ram ProMaster City available here in the US is roughly twice the size of the Fiat version in your last picture. Ugh.
This sure reminds me of the PT Cruiser. In fact, it’s as if Chrysler made a panel delivery version (similar to the Chevy HHR that had myriad window block-out panel delivery options).
Or, for a model still in prodcution, a Kia Soul panel delivery.
I am envious. A truly small van like this would push all the buttons and pull all the levers for me.
On a semi-related note… I thought I might be interested in the new Ford Maverick “small” truck, until I saw my first one yesterday (that was standing still). It’s less that a foot shorter than a regular cab short bed F-150 pickup. I’m astounded at the fuel economy they’ve gotten out of something that big, but it’s too big for me to want to own.
Yeah, I’m sorry…that “small” truck is nearly 2′ longer than my current daily driver wagon.
Not small enough.
@ Evan,
I agree with you about the Maverick. But if they made it in Extended cab & lengthened the box that extra bit, I’d have one in my laneway. I just don’t need a 4-door truck…
I always thought Bipper was a weird name.
I always thought it was a terrific name. 🙂
But is it better or worse than Nemo? I can never decide!
The FIAT passenger version of the van is named “Qubo”….and it came in Kermit the Frog green….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Fiorino#/media/File:Fiat_Fiorino_Qubo_front_20100704.jpg