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Ten years ago, this month, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles made Ram a standalone brand and FCA is celebrating the success of the brand big time. The 2020 Ram 1500 is the first full-size pickup truck to be named a Top Safety Pick+, the highest rating givenby the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ram is also celebrating its second-place finish for pickup sales in the third quarter. It has outsold the Chevrolet Silverado for much of 2019 and is on track to continue through the rest of the year. GM would still place second behind the Ford F-Series if you included GMC Sierra sales in the totals. Ram truck sales reportedly jumped 13.8 percent in the third quarter, compared to last year.
“Since becoming a distinct brand 10 years ago, Ram has had the benefit of being able to focus solely on trucks and commercial vehicles, allowing us to build the best vehicles possible for our customers,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand. “We expect Ram’s momentum to continue, and we feel optimistic that we’re making the right moves, at the right time, to attract buyers.”
Ram’s Luxurious Interiors
Ram takes pride in having seriously upgraded the interiors of its trucks, making them more luxurious, a huge attraction for buyers who use their vehicles as mobile offices. It has added special perks like reclining rear seats. Ram has also added innovative cargo space, and locking RamBoxes to help the people who carry tools and cargo. A multi-function tailgate and multi-link coil spring rear suspension also helps with cargo management. The company has been careful to add different trim levels as well, trying to keep the vehicles more affordable for the truck lovers who need the vehicles for work.
Ram Added Similar Upgrades to its Heavy Duty Trucks
Ram also made sure to add its upgrades to its heavier duty versions, something that is helping it win buyers. Research shows that nearly all of the people who buy the heavy-duty trucks use them to tow at times, whether it is for work or pleasure. No matter if you are towing your camper or towing construction materials, Ram is making it easier and keep you more comfortable while doing it. Ram is also making it easier to haul those same loads off-road, again regardless of hauling an ATV or drywall at a construction site.
Ram’s Specially Created ‘Custom Shops’
Ram has added special edition trucks over the years, dedicated to off-roading, Harvest editions dedicated to agriculture, Night editions, and several others. Ram has built custom shops to create these special editions so that they can be ordered straight from the factory. The advantage is that the special editions, like lift kits, carry original equipment warranties and quality.
Ram Most Awarded Pickup Brand in History
The fifth generation of the Ram 1500 debuted for 2019 and has been the most awarded pickup in history. The 2019 Ram 1500’s 12-inch infotainment touchscreen is still the largest for a pickup. The touchscreen offers split-screen capability and 360-degree camera views as well as other user-friendly technology.
Ram’s Powertrain Improvements
Ram has also made several important powertrain improvements. Ram offers an eTorque version of its 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. The V-6 with the eTorque assist kicks out 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The world-renowned 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 combines 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 3500 stunned the truck world when the company announced it would have towing capacity of 35,100 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,680 pounds. The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty, with the Cummins I-6 turbo Diesel, has a torque rating of 1,000 pounds.
Obviously, Ram has a lot to celebrate on its 10th anniversary of being its own brand, but I’m sure it has many more industry firsts in its future plans.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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