Ram Gets Creative to Counteract Sales Slump
If you saw our April sales report this week, you probably took note of two issues. First: GM pickup trucks —the Chevrolet Silverado and Colorado as well as the GMC Sierra and Canyon —were not on our list because GM decided to release sales information quarterly rather than monthly. As you might expect, this will create some chaos in the auto industry as automakers try to figure out how well their trucks are selling compared to their competitors. Given that many other industries report on quarterly schedules, we're guessing that other automakers are likely to follow suit.
April numbers also revealed a second big issue: Ram did not see the sales gains it was hoping for with the all-new, vastly upgraded 2019 Ram 1500. In April —which did have two fewer selling days and one less weekend than April 2017 —Ram was down almost 10 percent, and it was more than 11 percent down for the first four months of 2018. Those numbers came coming on the heels of disappointing March numbers in which Ram was down more than 10 percent for the month and almost 13 percent for the first quarter of 2018.
That meant parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had to get creative.
According to Automotive News (subscription required), the launch of the new Ram half ton has not been going well; its much-hyped new mild-hybrid powertrains have not yet been rated for fuel economy by the EPA and unnamed issues at the newly remodeled Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan are affecting production. Additionally, Ram recently instituted a new Courtesy Transportation Program that allows dealers to place new or previous-generation Ram 1500s into their courtesy fleets for customers but still count them as sales as to help them hit their monthly sales goals. As we understand it, this program was instituted several weeks ago to help boost April sales numbers.
There's no question many saw flattening sales coming for the auto industry —Ford and Toyota pickups are the only exceptions —but if this trend continues, Ram will have to get even more creative going forward. Thankfully for FCA, the Jeep brand is crushing it lately and it has a new pickup truck coming out before the end of the year.
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Comments
So we can thank GM for screwing up the monthly sales reporting since they decided to quit and go home like little babies.
@ Robert
Who cares, big deal. I think Ford should be more worried about cutting ALL OF THEIR CARS except Focus and Mustang. This is going to come back and bite them in the rear!!
So we can thank GM for screwing up the monthly sales reporting ....
Posted by: Robert | May 4, 2018 8:15:18 AM
I think you will find that everyone else will follow suit. That's what happens when you follow the leader.
No worries here. RAM will make huge strides in the coming months with the CLASS LEADING 2019 RAM. I see many conquest sales coming their way. No doubt they will steal thousands of sales from Ford and GM with this beautiful and class leading truck!!
Chevy has been offering "Employee Discount's" for over a month now. I guess they are getting results or out of idea's as there has been no warning the offer is ending soon.
Get creative? change the looks
How about they fix their factory problems with new truck?
Production has not hit targets due to problems!
What’s to understand? Ram ruined the good looks of the previous model and now they are left only with the reputation of the hemi and the soon-to-be-challenged ecodiesel. Everything else is a new gimmick like hybrids that truck buyers don’t want, or a known negative like the legendary unreliability of Chrysler and Fiat products.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/new-2019-ram-1500-runs-into-production-snags
This is why they are having troubles!!! Its not GMs fault Robby!!
Dont worry Ram, I am helping you out this weekend for May sales.
-CT
3 things Ford does not have to deal with:
-Gov't. bailouts
-Sales slumps
-Feel-good fudging of sales numbers
Quite a coincidence GM to stop reporting sales at the very same time everyone else is struggling, I think they're hiding something.
But quite frankly, I couldn't care.
Quite a coincidence GM to stop reporting sales at the very same time everyone else is struggling, I think they're hiding something.
But quite frankly, I couldn't care.
Production has not hit targets due to problems!
@ Redblood
1 thing Ford NEEDS to DEAL with!!! RECALLS!!!!! Making products better before releasing it to public
3 things Ford does not have to deal with:
-Gov't. bailouts
-Sales slumps
-Feel-good fudging of sales numbers
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 4, 2018 9:28:08 AM
- They never paid back the loan
- Why are they going to stop building cars
- Are they feeling bad about falsifying the numbers
- When you build JUNK no one cares
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
For some reason, when I saw the headlines for this article, I thought I was going to see this story:
https://jalopnik.com/convoy-of-brand-new-dodge-rams-break-out-of-factory-in-1825770934
TNT!!!!!!!!- why you GM guys bring up recalls of others is beyond me-ignition recall ring any bells. Biggest epic fail ever.
-CT
@ CT
Here we go again.......................................................
BC fanboys bring up:
3 things Ford does not have to deal with:
-Gov't. bailouts
-Sales slumps
-Feel-good fudging of sales numbers
And just for YOU so you understand::::::::: Ford is the leader in RECALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That good enough explanation??????????????????????????????
LOL
TNT!!!!!!!!- why you GM guys bring up recalls of others is beyond me-ignition recall ring any bells. Biggest epic fail ever.
-CT
Posted by: crunchtime | May 4, 2018 10:59:46 AM
Wasn't Ram forced by the government to buy back trucks from customers because Ram was unable to repair their recalls. That sounds epic to me.
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/fiat-chrysler-must-buy-back-hundreds-thousands-ram-pickups-n398911
I have some concerns about buying a Fiat Ram.
GMS, nice defer. Ignition is the biggest fail by any automaker ever.
TNT-love the multiple ???????????? haha
-CT
Etorque was not planned to be available until late summer, Of coarse they don't have MPG numbers. Manufacturers never post them until the trucks are on the car carrier heading to dealer lots.
GMS, nice defer. Ignition is the biggest fail by any automaker ever.
TNT-love the multiple ???????????? haha
-CT
Posted by: crunchtime | May 4, 2018 11:40:34 AM
Bigger than Ford's parking gear failure, Pinto gas tank infernos and Explorer roll over fiascos? By they way, good luck with that new Fiat.
Quite a coincidence GM to stop reporting sales at the very same time everyone else is struggling, I think they're hiding something.
Posted by: Frank | May 4, 2018
@Frank
Go to the GM corporate website, and read the press release regarding their switch to 90 day report cycles.
They explained it clearly enough that most adults can figure it out. Good luck with that.
Bigger than Ford's parking gear failure, Pinto gas tank infernos and Explorer roll over fiascos?
Hey GMnotsosmart
How about the engine mount fiasco, the burning,/exploding side saddle gas tanks, and who could forget, but would really want to ignition switch scandal.
Bigger than Ford's parking gear failure, Pinto gas tank infernos and Explorer roll over fiascos? By they way, good luck with that new Fiat.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | May 4, 2018 1:27:12 PM
I just love how these DOLTS bring up the 80s & 90s when their beloved GM just had the biggest recall ever the 2014.
Go away twerp.
Nobody cares at what you're trying to defend papatwerp.
WE DON'T GIVE A $H!T
Now that red Ram right here is a lot better looking then the new style 2019 Ram. They went backwards with the new goofy look and small headlights
Really like my new 2018 Ram 2500 6.4 4.10. Super quiet and super powerful.
Love how Ford clowns like to try to hide and cover up their 80s & 90s recalls HAHAHA! They don't want anyone to know the truth of how junk Ford really is. So if that's the case why care bout a 2014 recall? I was years ago to Ford clowns! You tards can dish it out but can't stand the heat of the kitchen.
As far as Ram goes it the first run of new trucks ther bound to be a few bottle necks, they will over come them and be battling GM for the #1 truck maker soon enough! Ford is fall to 3rd as they are going broke aka cutting car models and huge discounts to make retail people even care to buy one. They running low profit fleets sales as much as they can to prop up numbers. By next year Ford will be asking Mr. T for a government bail out! You heard it here first.
NT!!!!!!!!- why you GM guys bring up recalls of others is beyond me-ignition recall ring any bells. Biggest epic fail ever.
-CT
Posted by: crunchtime | May 4, 2018 10:59:46 AM
Ford had a ignition problem as well:
https://www.autosafety.org/ford-ignition-switch-fires/
Leave out of this you stupid little GARBAGE MOTORS FAN BOYS!!!!.
No wonder people who drives GARBAGE MOTORS Products ARE GETTING SUPID BY THE MINUTE. NO WONDER are losing money.
Were only stupid when we drive or purchase a vehicle with a blue oval on it, PURE GARBAGE.
Love how GM clowns l try to hide and cover up their 60's ,70's,80s , 90s and 21st century recalls HAHAHA! They don't want anyone to know the truth of how junk GM really is.You GM clowns and apologists can dish it out but can't handle the truth!
What’s to understand? Ram ruined the good looks of the previous model and now they are left only with the reputation of the hemi and the soon-to-be-challenged ecodiesel. Everything else is a new gimmick like hybrids that truck buyers don’t want, or a known negative like the legendary unreliability of Chrysler and Fiat products.
Posted by: BD | May 4, 2018 9:02:45 AM
Could have fooled me. Ram is making both old and new design trucks at two different American factories.
How many Chrysler products have you owned???
Nobody cares at what you're trying to defend papatwerp.
WE DON'T GIVE A $H!T
Posted by: Frank | May 4, 2018 3:31:07 PM
Still sore from those EFF. Epic Ford Failures.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Stupid GARBAGE MOTORS FAN GIRLYS. THEY DON’T HAVE NOTHING TO DO BUT TO SUCK B====D all day. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
The Eco-Boost engines in the F-150 are so wonderful
Not only does the Eco-Boost have the most power it also gets the best MPG
Nobody can compete with the Eco-Boost
The first test drive in an Eco-Boost instantly you'll fall in love and want to own one.
The only people that trash the Eco-Boost have never driven one.
The Eco-Boost badge on the front door of the F-150 is considered "The Badge Of Honor" in all the automotive industry.
Why can't Ram counter with a copy of the Eco-Boost engine?
Everybody hates the "Dial Shifter" and the plastic hubcaps on the Ram.
Ram can increase their sales with minor changes but they are too proud to change
The "Dial Shifter" is NOT manly
The "Dial Shifter" is NOT manly
Posted by: Ecoboost Rules | May 4, 2018 10:59:17 PM
The "Dial Shifter" accomplishes the same thing that stick in the middle of your f150 does , except it works with less space. You know what space is " THAT STUFF IN YOUR HEAD "
3 things Ford does not have to deal with:
-Gov't. bailouts
-Sales slumps
-Feel-good fudging of sales numbers
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 4, 2018 9:28:08 AM
-Ford still hasn't paid off that "loan" (0% interest for 15 years? sign me up!)
-I wonder what Ford's sales would look like if they weren't dumping a whole third of their monthly vehicles into fleet sales. Look for that fleet sale percentage to grow as truck sales slow this summer and Ford's car lineup dies off.
-Fudging sales numbers? You mean like how Ford counts van sales as trucks to help boost that "trucks sold" number in their report. Gee I wonder how Ford is going to twist things in their report so they can count the Ranger as an "F-series". Which reminds me of just how ridiculous that Best Selling "Truck" for xx Years in a Row tagline is. Convenient how Ford lops a toy like the F-150 in with the F-250/350/450 to help protect that lame line. Or how they dumped record numbers of excess inventory F-150's into the fleet market back in 2015 when they thought they were going to lose their "best selling 'truck'" tagline.
I guess it's better to break the bad news 4 times a year than 12 times a year.
The Ram uses plastic fake chrome hubcaps
If I was paying $50K for a new truck I would expect real alloy wheels with real metal chrome
NOT PLASTIC HUBCAPS !
you got to admit plastic hubcaps look cheap on a truck
I mean WHY redesign the body or use a chrome bumper and still use cheap plastic hubcaps?
That makes NO sense to me ?
Even the lowly Silverado uses real alloy wheels so why can't Ram?
US Pickup sales are about 400-500 annually in Australia and we are supposed to be a big market outside NA? Problems are starting too appear. Meanwhile Global Pickups are selling like there is no tomorrow
US Pickup sales are about 400-500 annually in Australia and we are supposed to be a big market outside NA? Problems are starting too appear. Meanwhile Global Pickups are selling like there is no tomorrow
@Erik the Red.
You are seeing red because Ford is ahead.
Lets help you out with your fake news.
1. Ford is adhering to the terms of its loan, repayment which will be complete in 2022 as per the terms.
So different than the GM bailout that resulted in an $11.3 billion dollar loss to taxpayers, after "pay back". The GMAC bailout did return a profit of $2.4 billion. So depending on how you like to do math or lump things together its either a loss of either
$11.3 ,or $ 8.9 billion. Thats just plain horrible.
2. Ford F Series is the best selling brand. Nothing convenient about it ,just a fact.
@ GM blows
And GM has the longest lasting trucks on the road!!!! Period!!!
Thats a fact!!! Deal with it
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