Ram Introduces A Commerical Truck Division, New ProMaster Van

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

November 30, 2012

A couple of years after Chrysler separated the Dodge and Ram, the company is once again performing a separation. This time it deals Ram and the creation of a separate sub-division for Ram's commercial trucks and vans.

Named Ram Commercial, the new sub-brand will will include the 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks and 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs in Tradesman trims, the Ram C/V van, and starting next year, the new Ram ProMaster van. The ProMaster is the North American version of Fiat's Ducato van lineup.

“The Ram ProMaster further strengthens our commercial lineup, offering a full line of work trucks and vans. As the Ram Truck Brand continues to gain share and grow sales in the retail truck market, we will be just as aggressive in our goal to be a commercial truck market leader,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC.

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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Press Release for Ram Commercial is on Page 2, Ram ProMaster is on Page 3

• Ram Commercial offers full line of industrial-strength trucks built for workers and businesses to provide maximum capability and productivity while delivering low total cost of ownership
  
• Ram Commercial incorporates a dedicated team including sales, marketing, product development and world-class customer support
  
• Ram Commercial offers exclusive pre- and post-sale solutions with BusinessLink and On the Job customer service programs
  

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Nov 28, 2012 -

Ram Truck is launching a new division to focus on commercial truck development, sales and support in a growing market. Embodied by the Tradesman trim level available on all models, the new Ram Commercial organization offers a full line of industrial-strength trucks and vans.

The new Ram Commercial division integrates a growing network of Ram BusinessLink dealers focused on the needs of commercial customers. Ram Commercial also will help offset the cost of doing business with On The Job incentives, specifically designed to lower the expense of commercial upfits. Both programs address professional needs for every job.

Timing of Ram Commercial launch aligns with the upcoming launch of the all-new Ram ProMaster and positive commercial demand. With the entire auto industry growing by two million units year over year in 2012, and further growth expected in 2013, commercial business will be key as it represents about one quarter of the total volume.

“Ram Truck is committed to delivering the best value proposition with low total cost of ownership across the entire product line up. From the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab to the Ram C/V, we’re providing best-in-class capability and technology,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico — Chrysler Group LLC. “We’ve not only taken steps to expand and improve our product offerings but created and built upon customer service solutions, following through with BusinessLink and On the Job programs for customers who use their truck as a critical tool for business.”

Ram Commercial targets countless businesses in a variety of industries, including service and repairs, construction, transportation/shipping, large-medium-small businesses and agriculture. The economy has incurred pent up demand to replace aging commercial fleets and vehicles that are no longer offered in the market. This has created opportunity and Ram Commercial will be there with a variety of capable and efficient vehicles.

A vehicle is designated “commercial” under one of the following circumstances:

• Titled in a company or corporation
  
• Used for business but titled in an individual's name (sole proprietor)
  
• Exceeds 26,000 lbs. GVWR
  
• Used to haul any hazardous material
  

Ram Commercial Lineup

The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer. The brand has emerged as a leader by investing in new products, infusing them with durable powertrains, robust chassis, new technology and features that further enhance their capabilities while delivering low total cost of ownership. Commercial truck and van customers have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to work. The Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups; 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs, Ram C/V and Ram ProMaster vans are designed to deliver a total package.

Ram C/V

When it comes to capability, the Ram C/V Tradesman out-works competitive vans on a number of fronts by delivering best-in-class payload, cargo space and towing. Equipped with the award-winning Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Ram C/V Tradesman also delivers best-in-class horsepower, torque and driving range of up to 500 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Ram ProMaster

Ram Commercial is tapping into Fiat Professional, one of the largest producers of commercial vehicles in the entire world, offering more than 110 years of experience. That knowledge will help Ram enter new segments and expand the product line. Based on the Fiat Ducato, the Ram ProMaster fullsize van will be transformed for the North American market and offered by Ram Commercial with best-in-class attributes. Now in its third generation with more than four million sold worldwide, this van is a proven, award-winning workhorse with titles in efficiency.

Ram 1500

For 2013, the Ram 1500 grabs the title of best-in-class fuel economy of 25 MPG for the half-ton segment with a number of exclusive technologies including a new V-6 engine, eight-speed transmission, stop-start system, air suspension and active grille shutters. The Ram 1500 Tradesman commercial workhorse adds more value by giving commercial customers a standard hard working V-8 that tows more than competitors’ standard V-6 engines, yet achieves 20 MPG. Tradesman also includes a spray-in bedliner, class 4 trailer hitch, 4 and 7 pin trailer connectors and offers the innovative RamBox storage system at a discount. By offering a standard V-8 engine, business owners not only benefit from added standard capability but improved resale value.

Ram Heavy Duty

The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty brings increased capability and innovative new features to the heavy-duty segment with an uncompromising attitude that remains the standard for all full-size heavy-duty pickups. Ram Heavy Duty also delivers the performance and amenities customers demand, for example the most off-road capable pickup on the market – the award-winning Ram Power Wagon. Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty Tradesman models are hard-working trucks that business owners can depend on. The Heavy Duty Tradesman models feature a 17,000 lb. Class 5 hitch, 4 & 7 pin trailer connector, cruise control and available class-exclusive RamBox cargo management system. Ram Commercial also offers the only factory-engineered and built CNG (compressed natural gas) powered truck. The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup offers cost and emissions benefits, using an abundant, domestically sourced fuel while reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. All Ram Heavy Duty trucks offer the proven Cummins 6.7-liter diesel. Ram 3500 offers a best in class 850 lb.-ft. of torque and a 15,000 mile oil change interval delivering an unmatched total cost of ownership advantage. When mated with the available Aisin heavy duty 6-speed automatic transmission, Ram 3500 tops the charts with best-in-class towing and payload that far exceeds the competition. The Ram Heavy Duty is the only pickup in the market available with a manual transmission.

Ram Chassis Cab

For 2013 the Ram Truck brand also increases the capabilities of its hardest-working trucks – the Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks. Led by the Tradesman trim level, Ram Chassis Cab trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and drivability. Building on Ram Chassis Cabs already proven equation of durability, upfitter friendliness, efficiency and best-in-class capabilities, Ram’s commercial-grade work trucks are engineered for maximum uptime, low cost of ownership, optimum performance and enhanced best-in-class commercial capability. Owners can proudly display their company logo and rest with the confidence of knowing that it will get the job done day-in and day-out.

Ram Chassis Cab best-in-class features include:

• Best-in-class vehicle system interface module (VSIM) and upfitter friendly design
  
• Best-in-class capabilities
  
• Best-in-class total cost of ownership
  
• Best-in-class 15,000-mile oil change intervals on Cummins diesel
  
• Best-in-class powertrain warranty – 5 years/100,000 miles
  

Ram Truck Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Commercial customers in particular face balancing the challenges of opportunity costs, fuel pricing, reduced budgets, new technology and durability. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculations are helpful in making purchase and operational decisions. Ram Truck offers best-in-class TCO for commercial truck owners. The Ram 1500 features a standard V-8 engine, with best-in-class entry level capability and impressive resale value, allowing owners to recover more upfront costs. All Cummins diesel-powered Ram trucks feature a 15,000-mile oil change interval and a best-in-class diesel exhaust brake increases frictional brake life by 3x the market average. Ram truck also offers the most upfitter friendly solutions in the industry, reducing the initial costs for specialty trucks such as crane, roll-back or dump bed upfits. Topping it off, Ram offers a best-in-class 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, proof of the quality built into each truck.

Approximate Commercial Business Breakdown:

• Service and repairs – 24 percent
  
• Construction – 19 percent
  
• Transportation/Shipping – 17 percent
  
• Large-Medium Businesses – 8 percent
  
• Small Businesses – 8 percent
  
• Schools-Organizations-Non-profits – 7 percent
  
• Machinery/Electronic Products – 6 percent
  
• Forestry/Mining/Oil/Gas – 3 percent
  
• Farming/Agriculture – 2 percent
  
• Wood/Metal/Stone Products – 2 percent
  
• Food and beverage – 1 percent
  
• Other – 3 percent
  

Ram Commercial Marketing

In many cases, the owner is not the operator, which creates a unique sales and marketing dynamic. Ram Commercial offers a complete approach with a company-wide strategy supported by all organizations and a dedicated sales force. Marketing efforts speak directly to commercial buyers both visually and verbally, and improved customer targeting benefits from laser-focused channels, such as tradeshows, commercial websites and trade publications. The new division is supported throughout the entire network including local advocates, operation managers, sales specialists and an extensive dealer network.

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Nov 28, 2012 -

Ram Truck today announced that it will develop a new large van for the North American market, which will go on sale beginning 3rd quarter 2013.

Joining the smaller, but highly capable Ram C/V as an additional van offering, the 2014 Ram ProMaster will compete with other full-size commercial vans.

“The Ram ProMaster further strengthens our commercial lineup, offering a full line of work trucks and vans,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. “As the Ram Truck Brand continues to gain share and grow sales in the retail truck market, we will be just as aggressive in our goal to be a commercial truck market leader.”

“We feel that from a product-feature and launch timing standpoint, the all-new Ram ProMaster van is going to be a home run with commercial customers,” added Diaz. ”Our relationship with Fiat, one of the world’s foremost commercial truck makers, has given us access to great products and technology that will resonate with our U.S. and Canadian Ram Truck customers.”

Based on the successful Fiat Ducato, the Ram ProMaster will be significantly redesigned with familiar Ram Truck styling cues, offering features and powertrains preferred by North American commercial customers.