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Ram Trucks

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This article is about marque spun off from Dodge in 2010. For historic Dodge trucks, see List of vehicles named Dodge Ram.
Ram Trucks
Company typeDivision of FCA US LLC
IndustryAutomobile
PredecessorFargo Trucks
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Headquarters
Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. Administration, Research & Design
Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico Production & Engineering
Area served
North America, Middle East, Brazil, Chile, Peru.
Key people
Robert J. Hegbloom (President and CEO, Ram Brand)
ProductsTrucks, Vans, Luxury vehicles
OwnerFiat Chrysler Automobiles
ParentChrysler
WebsiteRamTrucks.com

Ram Trucks, stylized as RAM (formally known as the Ram Truck Division) is a United States-based brand of light to mid-weight commercial vehicles established in 2010 as a division of FCA US LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. It was spun off from Dodge marque, using the name of the popular Dodge Ram line of trucks.

Background

Ram Trucks was established as a division of Chrysler in 2010, as a spinoff from Dodge, using the name of the popular Dodge Ram line of pickups that is now sold under the Ram banner.[1] According to Chrysler, the Ram brand will concentrate on "real truck customers," rather than casual truck buyers who buy trucks for image or style.[2]

The Ram brand was created following Chrysler's acquisition by Italian automaker Fiat S.p.A., and the plans called for Dodge switching to an exclusively car-based lineup with all pickup and future heavy-duty trucks by Chrysler being sold under the Ram brand. This was to start in the 2010 calendar year. The Fiat Ducato cargo van design has been adopted and is sold as the Ram ProMaster in North American markets, filling the gap created when Daimler ended production of the Dodge Sprinter in 2008. The goal was to increase truck sales "from today's 280,000 to 415,000 by 2014".[3]

Executives at Chrysler have stated their intention to compete in the semi-trailer truck category with Ram, a possibility that is aided by Fiat's ownership of Iveco and an already available network of Dodge dealers. Even though the Ram trucks are marketed separately from Dodge cars, Former Ram Division President Fred Diaz stated, "Ram trucks will always and forever be Dodges. Ram will always have the Dodge emblem inside and outside and they will be vinned as a Dodge. We need to continue to market as Ram so Dodge can have a different brand identity: hip, cool, young, energetic. That will not fit the campaign for truck buyers. The two should have distinct themes."[4]

In April 2013, former CEO Fred Diaz left RAM to serve as vice president of Nissan's divisional sales and marketing. He was replaced by Reid Bigland.[5]

In August 2014, Ram truck brand CEO Reid Bigland was tapped to lead the Alfa Romeo brand in North America. It was announced that the new head of the Ram truck brand would be longtime Chrysler employee Robert Hegbloom, who joined Chrysler in 1986 and had been a director for the Ram truck brand.[6]

The Ram brand logo features the head of a ram, formerly the logo used by Dodge.

Trucks

For specifically foreign-market models (designed by Chrysler Europe, etc.), see below.

Also note that from 1927 to 1928, all trucks built by Dodge were actually sold under the Graham name, as that company held the marketing rights at that time.

Current

  • Ram 700 (2014–present, Mexico only)
  • Ram Pickup (1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500) (1981–present)
  • Cargo Van (C/V) (Base 2011–2012, Tradesman 2013–Present, model 2011–present)
  • ProMaster (Van 1500, Van 2500, Van 3500, and Chassis Cab) (2013–present)
  • ProMaster City (2014–present)
  • Ram 1500 DS Crew Cab facelift in China 2014
    Ram 1500 DS Crew Cab facelift in China 2014
  • 2012 Ram Cargo Van
    2012 Ram Cargo Van
  • 2014 Ram 1500 ProMaster Tradesman SWB std roof
    2014 Ram 1500 ProMaster Tradesman SWB std roof
  • Dodge Ram ProMaster City in Mission Hills, California
    Dodge Ram ProMaster City in Mission Hills, California

Former

Production

Ram utilizes four facilities, three in North America and one in Europe for the production of its vehicles.

Warren Truck Assembly, Warren, Michigan, USA. First opened in 1938, the facility has produced trucks for Dodge and Ram for over 70 years. Near the plant are also the Warren metal stamping plant, Mount Elliot tool and die plant which contribute parts and components to the manufacture of the Dakota and 1500 series.

The following models are currently assembled at the plant:

  • Ram 1500 series, all crew cab and double cab models for the global market are assembled here except for the Ram 1500 Laramie, which is built at both the Warren facility and Ram's Saltillo Assembly for the Mexican market.

Saltillo Truck Assembly, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. The plant manufactures the full range of the Ram truck series as well as the DX Chassis cab and ProMaster van. The plant has won numerous awards and has been recognized as the Chrysler groups best truck facility in terms of build quality.[7] The Saltillo stamping plant is also attached to the facility.

The following models are built at the plant:

  • Ram 1500 all regular cab models of various trim levels sold globally are manufactured at the facility as is the crew cab Ram 1500 Laramie for the Mexican market.
  • Ram 2500 all models of various trim levels, cab type, and bed length. Vehicles built here are sold globally.
  • Ram 3500 all models of various trim levels, cab type, and bed length. Vehicles built here are sold globally.
  • Ram 4500 all models of various trim levels, cab type, and bed length. Vehicles built here are sold globally.
  • Ram 5500 all models of various trim levels, cab type, and bed length. Vehicles built here are sold globally.
  • DX Chassis Cab manufactured for the Mexican market only.
  • Ram ProMaster

Windsor Assembly, Windsor, Canada. The plant manufactures all vans built on the Chrysler S platform including the Ram Cargo Van, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Lancia Voyager and Volkswagen Routan. The plant makes just one model for Ram.

  • Ram Cargo Van, all variations of the vehicle are manufactured here.

Tofaş, Bursa, Turkey. The plant produces vehicles primarily for the European market; however, the Ram ProMaster City is produced at Tofaş and imported into North America.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ram brand created, Gilles to lead Dodge cars and Fong leaves in Chrysler shakeup". AutoWeek. 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  2. ^ Hoffman, Bryce G. "Chrysler brands to aim appeal at specific lifestyles", The Detroit News, 2009-11-05, retrieved on 2009-11-07.
  3. ^ Kilcarr, Sean (2009-11-05). "Chrysler to get Fiat commercial vans". Fleet Owner. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  4. ^ McElroy, John (2009-11-06). "Chrysler Considers Getting Back Into Big Rigs". Autoline on Autoblog. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  5. ^ "Reid Bigland Gets Top Spot at Ram". pickuptrucks.com. 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  6. ^ "Robert Hegbloom named head of Ram truck brand". trucktrend.com. 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  7. ^ Dodge in Mexico: a history by Jaime Hale. "Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge in Mexico". Allpar.com. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
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