Ram Truck to Take the Battle to Commercial Vehicles
Commercial fleet pickup truck buyers are a little different from individual truck customers; they're not so much concerned with horsepower, expensive frills and details, or the latest and greatest creature comforts. Instead, their priorities are more practical and for the long-term, and when they buy, they usually buy in large numbers. That's why Ram Truck has been pushing so hard lately to offer a better portfolio of options for fleet buyers to better compete with Ford and General Motors.
According to Automotive News, almost 90 percent of commercial fleet buyers are split between Ford and GM, with most of the remainder going to Ram Truck. Of course, as the economy continues to pick up strength and businesses get ready to update aging fleets, there is plenty of money to be made here.
All the truck makers offer a good selection of chassis cab options and several different full-size and midsize vans. In fact, Chevrolet recently announced it will offer a new, smaller cargo van through its commercial dealership networks in 2014. The downsized van, called the City Express, is part of a partnership with Nissan as it shares Nissan's NV200 platform. It will be available through the GM dealer network. Additionally, Ram Commercial has also announced it will be coming to market with its own downsized cargo van (based off the Fiat Doblo) later next year.
We expect as more competition hits this part of the truck market and more money is at stake for all the domestic pickup makers, we'll see more attention being paid to these bare-bones models. Whether Ram Commercial can take away marketshare in this segment from the more established players will depend on fleet buyers being willing to take a risk on a new lineup.
Currently there are several compact cargo vans available, with larger models headed to the U.S. shortly (mostly from Ram Commercial via Fiat), but don't expect Ford to sit back either. Ford, Chevy and Ram commercial vehicles are ready to do battle and grow their marketshare.
Comments
I wonder if Nissan will get a version of the GM fullsize truck.
As GM is getting a version of a small Nissan van.
**Quote : Chevrolet recently announced it will offer a new, smaller cargo van through its commercial dealership networks in 2014. The downsized van, called the City Express, is part of a partnership with Nissan as it shares Nissan's NV200 platform. It will be available through the GM dealer network.
Remember several years ago Nissan was going to get a version of the Dodge Ram.
The picture reminds me, I need 1 yard of bark mulch,instead I cruised around in my classic Charger ,oh well..what to do ? Burn rubber or yard work and bark mulch..Yep,rather burn rubber and go sideways !
Good luck Ram you're going to need it differently since GM don't even have 4500s/ 5500s and has more market share.
Johnny doe's a douchebag
hemi lol It's okay to get mad, but to name call that's what 5 year olds do. Yup thanks for showing you're age LOL!
Lets get something straight right now.
This is the REAL "Hemi Lol" and i dont play the childish games that these imposters play. I dont name call and act like a kid. Someone should look at the IP address from the above imposter and block them. what a joke that people are so shallow that they need to try and discredit someone elses name by such shallow childish attempts................ GROW UP!
Having a gasoline engine option for the Ram 4500 and 5500 will help, and I heard it will be available next year.
I suggest for Ram to make hay while the sun shines, GM is weak in commercial trucks right now but that could change soon.
if Chevy has failed for the last 10 years (keep in mind Chevy is one of the largest truck makers) on trying to taking over the heavy duty and commercial market place from Ford then go right ahead ram waste a lot of money that could be used the improve the truck your are make to gain the biggest market share possible then spend it one the monopoly Ford own on commercial trucks. ram has a small market in trucks
next up at bat is Toyota
ram is going to spend a lot of money just to find out what Chevy already knows
@ hemi lol I figure it wasn't the real hemi lol cause I know you're not a crazy Ram person lol.
looks like a C Channel frame, now we know that's crap
GUTS
GLORY
TAKING THE HD MARKET FROM GM AND FORD
PIECE OF CAKE
BEST HD TRUCK ON THE ROAD
MOST POWERFUL
MOST DURABLE
MOSTED LOVED
BEST SUSPENSION
BEST EVERYTHING
RAM HD
fix the mirrors will help alot.
Ram doesn't have much to lose, only profit margin when dealing in fleet sales. But it is money they don't have.
Out of interest, I have read that Mitsubishi LDTs and MDTs have increased sales by 300% over several years. This 'segment' represents a very small portion of LDTs and MDTs in the US. But an increasing market is an increasing market.
Also when the cab chassis versions of Transits, Fiat Ram Ducatos etc arrive this will take some sales away from the lower end of HDs. Especially those who want to load the bed and not tow.
I think the more commercial sector of the US truck market will have pressure from Euro/Asian rivals. This is evident by the style of vehicle chosen to replace some of the light commercials. But realise this pressure is in its infancy.
The 'SUV' pickup sector is what most on this site comment on and the cost of buying a pickup rising has less of an impact as people who can't afford to buy pickups in the future can probably get by with other forms of transport ie $29 000 for a relatively basic Ram, not including the expensive innovations.
The PUTC article on the how the costs have risen for a pickups illustrates that people are still buying them. This supports my argument that SUV pickups have become more like cars and SUVs where people will start to pay for quality and innovation, not just size and horsepower.
So like a car, will a person pay the same for a full size as an HD? Yes, they do. Will a company do the same for a fleet purchase? No they won't.
For a personal SUV pickup its about lifestyle and perception. For a fleet buyers its about dollar over the life of a vehicle.
This leaves room for more players in all areas of your commerical and SUV market, including fleet buyers.
If Ram doesn't put a gas V10 or at least the "Hemi" in their 5500s, I'll be forced to buy the V10 F-550 next year.
I'm already seeing an impact that RAM is having on the market in my area.
Seeing alot more in places that used to have Fords.
GM seems to be only a player in the light duty market around here.
Alot of the contractors that I have spoke with, said they got burned so bad on the 6.0-6.4 Diesels. Fool me once, twice, but not a third time.
It's a good time to jump into that market for RAM, the gas engine will make them more competitive as well.
Good job RAM.
@Darnefnet
You do know commercial vehicles us a c-channel frame right? A box frame is a passenger vehicle frame. Open C is more durable and easier to upfit which is why it is commercial vehicle frame. Open C can be just as strong as fully boxed if the frame is engineer with the right frame thickness and crossmembers. The benefits of open c frame are probably greatly reduced when put on a half ton or mid size pickup as upfitters will probably go for an HD pickup and half tons are not stressed enough to require a open c frame.
@DenverMike my buddy works for a huge cable company and they use 450s and 550s with the V10 and they HATE them. Miserable mileage, lots of breakdowns, and honestly not enough power to lug around those huge loads all the time. my buddy's is like 18 months old and the manifolds are already cracked and coming apart. Just not very good engines.
My truck equipment division has trouble with RAM trucks every new model year. They are an absolute pain to line out. They'll fix one problem and introduce a new one. Good trucks, but their body upfitter thought process is a nightmare.
come on guys! you are 20hrs late with the half ton report!
The gas engine will definitely make them more competitive.
Chrysler relents, agrees to recall 2.7 million Jeeps
Chrysler agrees to recall of Jeeps at risk of fire
Front page on Fox and CNN right now...
ok, now we are still waiting to see the report! you guys must be having too much fun! 2.5days late and counting!
@WXman - Linemen, utility workers drive the ballz off of F-550s boom & buckets. WOT or nothing.. What they want has little to do with what's the best choice. So now we're seeing utility companies are putting more and more V10 F-550s into rotation, for good reason. And diesels used to be the "standard" in this field.
There's a lot more to it than just economy at the pump. The $7,000+ savings at purchase doesn't hurt and when combined with much cheaper maintenance and lower fuel prices (usually). That buys a lot of reg unleaded.
And there's absolutely no indication current diesels will go the 500K miles+ of legendary '80s and '90s diesels. Diesel fuel has much less lubricity and that's slowly being taken away. Not that you would ever need to, but it costs roughly the same to rebuild/install a V10 as it does new diesel injectors alone, which you will eventually replace. Even if current generation diesel are still going strong after 500K miles, all HP fuel pumps, EGR coolers etc, you put into in make it a moot point.
What's left is zero reason to opt for diesel power. A V10 will absolutely do the same job as a diesel. More revs and more fuel consumption is the rule, but that's not as much as you'd think. Figure on 6 MPG vs 9 MPG diesel in 20,000 lbs trucks. Unless it's a race to get to the next light or top of the hill, V10s get you there just fine.
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