If you were around this weekend for any of the football games you undoubtedly saw Chrysler's new "Ram" brand commercial, which is promoting their "Dodge" Ram pickup truck line. The commercial itself sounds more like a political campaign but we'll let you decide that one. Either way, it's still a Dodge... just kidding :)
If you are looking to purchase a pickup truck this weekend, now is the time! Huge savings are available this weekend on all major brands including Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, and Nissan with discounts ranging from $3,500 off to $5,000 as well as 0 percent interest rates! Check out the full listing inside.
The Dodge Ram Bianco started life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The Dodge Ram is modified to reflect an upscale feel and appearance with the aid of Mopar performance parts and accessories. Colors, textures and accessories are combined in a manner that showcases the sophisticated side of the Dodge Ram 1500.
It seems Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks has uncovered information from Chrysler regarding their next generation Dodge Ram Hemi Hybrid, stating in a recent interview that the "The hybrid Ram is still on track for 2010". There's no word however whether or not the hybrid option will use the same technology found in the Dodge Durango or Chrysler Aspin SUV's.
Chrysler is making leaps and bounds with their company and are claiming to be the first automotive manufacturer to provide digital owners manuals to customers. Chrysler is somewhat known for oddball moves (look at PT Cruiser, need I say more?), did the company even consider the times when a vehicle is broken down and the owners manual is needed to find a specific part? Or how about when you have a high end audio system and you blow a fuse? You are dead in the water. While the transition into the digital era may help "save 930 tons of paper, or equivilant of 20,000 trees on an annual basis", there are times (like selling someone a freaking car) when an owners manual is needed. Press release inside for anyone who cares.
Nissan and Chrysler today announced a mutual agreement to end three OEM vehicle-supply projects announced last year. For the past several months, teams from both companies have been studying the viability of the projects in light of significant changes in business conditions since the projects were announced in January and April of 2008.
Earlier this month we brought you spy shots of the 2010 Dodge Ram R/T but now our spy photographers have caught the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon roaming the streets of Detroit. This latest photo is a rare one as Dodge have not brought much attention to their heavy duty pickups in a while, as the market conditions and fuel prices have axed the popularity of the pickup trucks. This particular photo is of the "Power Wagon" edition, which includes a 4.56 rear axle with locking front and rear differentials, electronic war bar disconnect, beefier tires and special aluminum wheels.
Chrysler Group LLC today announced new incentives, “Double CA$H for Your Old Car,” that can save consumers up to $9,000 toward the purchase of a new Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle. “Everyone shopping for a new car or truck qualifies for an incentive of up to $4,500 – even if they don’t have a vehicle that qualifies under the U.S. Government’s program,” said Steven Beahm, Vice President – Sales Operations, Chrysler Group LLC. “This incentive is great in that it’s easy to understand and available to everyone.”
MBRP Inc. has now released its long awaited 5" stainless performance exhaust systems for Chevy/GMC, Ford and Dodge diesel pick-up trucks. Crafted from sixteen gauge T409 stainless steel these monster sized pipes deliver a deep and distinctive exhaust note and reduced EGTs. Of course, as part of MBRP's XP Series their rugged durability is backed by MBRP's Lifetime Warranty. These 5" stainless systems are available in Turbo Back, Cat Back and Filter Back configurations.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 ranks at the top of the full-size truck segment in Strategic Vision Inc.’s (SVI) 2009 Total Quality Index™ (TQI). According to the survey released today, the Dodge Ram leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.
Edge Products is proud to announce the release of the Edge Racing Juice with Attitude kit for the 2007-2009 Dodge 6.7L Cummins. Elevating performance to a new level, Edge Products is the first company to release a dedicated racing product for 6.7 owners with shift-on-the-fly capabilities, in-cab monitoring, real time safety features, and extreme horsepower gains.
New spy shots of the 2010 Dodge Ram R/T were posted by SEMA last week. The latest generation features 22 inch five spoke painted wheels with 285/45R22 Goodyear Fortera tires and a removable soft tonneau cover which is believed to be used to "help the 2010 R/T gain back some of the fuel efficiency sacrificed for its strong off-the-line performance". Check out other photos at SEMA.org.
Leading fiberglass truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. announces product availability for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 models. A.R.E.'s truck covers are designed to match the exact size and shape of the Dodge Ram truck bed for a quality fit and finish. Caps and tonneau covers are an ideal solution for truck owners in need of added utility, such as protecting landscape and construction gear from unexpected rain, turning the truck bed into a trunk for hauling groceries or stowing expensive golf clubs in a locked area.
Chrysler LLC has temporarily canceled plans for a diesel engine for the Dodge Ram 1500 model pickup truck. Mark Land of Cummins commented on the reports, "We've been trying to rework development of the [light-duty diesel] engine over the last several months, given the current economic climate" and "this is not a surprise". Chrysler on the other hand have neglected to comment on the news. The reason for cancellation is being blamed on the terms with the new government owned Chrysler and their declaration of bankruptcy. All future plans have been put on hold.
The guys over at Pickuptrucks spotted a 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck equipped with a long bed in the wild. The test mule has what seems to be a larger four door crew cab model with a new 8 foot optional bed, up from the current 6 and 4 foot configurations. Missing from this photo is a dual rear wheel configuration which was found at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show but details regarding the dual rear model have not been captured yet.
Chrysler's chief truck engineer, Scott Kunselman just received a huge promotion to "Head of Product Development" at the newly formed Chrysler LLC. Responsible for being the chief engineer on the new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, Kunselman brings with him much experience in the "body on frame" department regarding trucks and SUV's and is now expected to lead all of product development. Hopefully that means more focus on the Dodge Ram and Jeep segments!
Leading truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. offers its Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) to outfit a wide selection of 2009 truck models, including the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Ram, Ford F150 and F250, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Isuzu, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra and more. The Deluxe Commercial Unit is an ideal solution for the construction, pest control and landscaping industries. A.R.E.'s DCU is made of fully welded aluminum frame construction and has more than 100 options to give professionals the power to create a customizable solution for their work trucks.
Chrysler LLC today announced enhanced June incentives that will appeal to what consumers want as they shop for new Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep® vehicles. “Beginning this month we are pleased to offer special finance options to our customers through our new preferred lender, GMAC Financial Services,” said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President North American Sales and Marketing, Service and Parts – Chrysler LLC. “Our dealers are now activated for retail business through GMAC Financial Services, which gives consumers more financing options as they look to purchase from our exciting line up of Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles ”
Chrysler LLC today announced the company has submitted three proposals outlining a $448-million plan to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in order to rapidly bring Electric Vehicles (EV) and Plug-in Hybrid-electric Vehicles (PHEV) to market. Chrysler LLC applied for two initiatives established by the DOE—the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative and the Transportation Electrification Initiative. Both are designed to speed up development, demonstration, evaluation and manufacturing of EVs and PHEVs. The programs represent a 50/50 cost-share opportunity with $224 million from Chrysler LLC and its partners, combined with a matching $224 million from the DOE. These funds will accelerate the market introduction and penetration of advanced powertrains.
Owners of the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram and the Jeep Liberty have spoken. Owners gave top ratings to both vehicles in AutoPacific’s 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram won the Large Pickup Truck category, beating the new 2009 Ford F-150, while the Jeep Liberty placed at the top of the Mid-Size Sport-Utility Vehicle (SUV) category.
Chrysler has issued a recall of nearly 40,000 2009 Dodge Ram light duty pickup trucks equipped with the manual temperature control where the software programmed for the heating ventilation and air condition module may cause the defrosting and defogging functions to become non-functional. The result of this can lead to a decrease in visibility and raise the chance of crashing. Owners can contact Chrysler directly at 1-800-835-1403.
Chrysler sources close to Pickuptrucks informed Mike Levine the company may deliver a new 6.4 liter Hemi V-8 by 2011 with expected power ratings of over 450 horsepower and torque. Based off of the current 6.1 liter Hemi V-8, the new engine would be an SRT8 performance option with a "larger bore and longer stroke". The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 also may get the new motor in 2012.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 earned top honors in Edmunds’ Inside Line head-to-head competition of full-size pickup trucks. The Dodge Ram 1500 beat the 2009 Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tundra. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues to win accolades, receiving 15 awards since its introduction last fall. “After all the points were tallied, the Dodge Ram takes the win with a very well-rounded performance,” wrote Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing, Edmunds.com. “The optional RamBox proved itself useful by swallowing 85 pounds of greasy trailer hitch parts in its lockable bins, and its repositionable bed divider is easily the best of its kind.”
Edmunds Inside Line have uncovered information regarding the state of Jeep and the liquidation of Chrysler LLC. The liquidation reports detailed as part of Chrysler's filing of bankruptcy point at a possible deletion of the Jeep brand. "assumes that certain car lines and the plant assets supporting them will be sold as going-concern enterprises. These lines include Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Viper and Dodge Ram and Dakota truck lines". The report goes on to say "These additional costs include in excess of $100 million for signage to establish a dealer network, supplier-related costs exceeding $250 million and upwards of another $150 million in associated marketing costs to relaunch the car line. There are likely other significant costs that a potential buyer would have to incur in order to re-establish the brand. In addition, recent market experience reflected in the efforts to sell Saturn, Opel, Saab and Hummer brands indicates an extremely depressed market for stand-alone automotive brands". We think if these news breaks are indeed true and Chrysler makes these moves as stated in their bankruptcy reports, the company will fail guaranteed.
ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), manufacturer of the Access, LiteRider, Lorado and Vanish Roll-Up Covers, now offers their Lorado Roll-Up Cover for the all new 2009 Dodge Ram with RamBox Cargo Management System. Each cover is made model specific for the tightest fit with your truck and are available for most Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Mazda and Toyota pickup trucks. Following their tradition of innovation and quality, ACI now offers model-specific roll-up tonneau covers for the following truck model.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram earned a place on Ward’s distinguished list of winners, taking home the “2009 Interior of the Year” award in the popular-priced truck category. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram has won 15 awards since its introduction. “From the big, chunky knobs on the dashboard to the in-floor storage bins and the folding second-row seats, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram reminds us that big trucks can be rugged, functional and cool, all at the same time,” said Tom Murphy, executive editor of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and Dodge Challenger continue charging ahead, taking home the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) Association’s “Truck of the Year” and “Car of the Year” awards. “Both the Dodge Ram 1500 and the Dodge Challenger were decisive winners in this year’s competition,” said Michael Cotsworth, President of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. "It is exciting to see, in the current economic environment, the high regard RMAP members have for these two Chrysler products." The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 beat out the new 2009 Ford F-150 and the Nissan Titan for the Truck of the Year title, while the Dodge Challenger outpaced the Jaguar XF and the Nissan Maxima in the Car of the Year race.
According to Sean Holman of Four Wheeler Magazine, Chrysler will be abandoning their revolutionary coil spring rear axle on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 in return for leaf sprung suspension again. After facing pressure from Chrysler hierarchy, the skeptical multi-link rear suspension is not competitive enough with other manufacturers, dipping below the 10,000 pound towing capacity mark. Deleting the 3/4 ton capability the Dodge Ram 1500 currently has will grant the truck an immediate 225 pound increase in payload and a much higher towing capacity. Expect the changes to occur next year in February.
Earlier this week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall for a handful of brand new Dodge Ram heavy duty pickups and now there is another recall. Chrysler is now recalling over 72,000 2008 to 2009 Dodge Ram light duty and heavy duty pickup trucks for a faulty windshield wiper module that may be susceptible to water intrusion. If the wiper system fails, the driver can have reduced visibility which may result in a crash. Owners are encouraged to contact their local dealer as soon as possible or Chrysler directly at 800-853-1403.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab and Quad® Cab earned 5-star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab received the same five-star ratings earlier this year. “Safety is an engineering priority in all Chrysler vehicles and the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is proof of our efforts,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Body on Frame Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “The all-new Dodge Ram offers enhanced passive safety protection as well as the latest active safety technologies. We have integrated more than 35 safety and security features, instilling the confidence our customers want and expect.”
507 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty pickup trucks equipped with a manual transmission and power adjustable pedals have been recalled. The recall involves the clutch pedal connecting rod and clutch master cylinder which may separate from the master cylinder. This problem may not allow a disengagement of the clutch assembly when the pedal is depressed, which may involve unintended movement of the truck leading to an increased stopping distance or engine stalling. Owners are encouraged to contact their local dealer as soon as possible or Chrysler directly at 888-327-4236.
MSN Autos have placed the 2009 Dodge Ram vs. 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Chevy Silverado head to head in four separate tests which include a head to head battle, 20 plus miles per gallon test, top sellers comparison, and a towing challenge. The review drives through the truck-pocalypse and answers the big question: who's got the toughest truck?
ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), manufacturer of the Access®, LiteRider®, Lorado™ and Vanish™ Roll-Up Covers, now offers roll-up tonneau covers for the all new 08-09 Dodge Dakota with Utility Rails. Each cover is made model specific for the tightest fit with your truck and are available for most Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Mazda and Toyota pickup trucks. Following their tradition of innovation and quality, ACI now offers model-specific roll-up tonneau covers for the following truck model.
Earlier this week on Tuesday we brought you Chrysler LLC's restructuring plan which includes future pickup trucks and SUV's. Two of those SUV's that are revealed in the plan are the re-designed 2010 Dodge Durango and 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. From this new photo and previous renderings, the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee retains its current design the most. Body lines seem to be softened, and the pillars around the SUV seem to be smaller.
Chrysler LLC today reported February U.S. retail sales of 66,658 units, a 26 percent decrease versus 2008; while the total retail industry was down a projected 35 percent. Chrysler retail industry market share increased to 11.0 percent versus prior 9.6 percent in February 2008 or an improvement of 1.4 percentage points. Total February 2009 U.S. sales include a fleet reduction of 71 percent year-over-year for the same period, furthering Chrysler’s focus on emphasizing retail over fleet.
Chrysler LLC's recent restructuring plans that were given to congress include something a bit out of the ordinary, two pickup trucks they have not spoken about yet. One is called the "Lifestyle Truck" and the other "FullSize Pickup". Chrysler's future plans do not include the Dodge Dakota which will be replaced by a unibody "truck" in 2013 similar to the Honda Ridgeline. The full size pickup is slated for 2015 but will probably be released as the next generation Dodge Ram. The same restructuring plan references a second hybrid electric Dodge Ram slated to arrive in 2013 and the first generation Ram 1500 hybrid expected to go on sale in 2010.
The J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Customer Service Index (CSI) Study released today showed that more Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge owners took their vehicles to a Chrysler LLC brand dealership rather than an after market shop for discretionary service last year than in 2007. About 69 percent visited a dealership in 2008 as compared to 63 percent in 2007, an improvement of 6 percent. In the same measure, the industry average increased 4 percent.
ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), manufacturer of the Access®, LiteRider®, Lorado™ and Vanish™ Roll-Up Covers, now offers roll-up tonneau covers for the all new 2009 Dodge Ram with RamBox™ Cargo Management System.
Today at the Chicago Auto Show, Dodge further enhanced its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a “new crew” of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability. The Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs compete within the Class 3-5 segments with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 to 19,500 lbs. and are targeted at small-business tradesmen, fleet customers and traditional chassis cab users.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, and Nissan Titan are billed as workhorses, but the side crash protection these 2009 model large pickups provide is wimpy, at best. The trio earns either poor or marginal ratings in side tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Even with side airbags, occupant protection in these crew-cab pickups is no better than marginal.
Bold, powerful and capable. Today at the Chicago Auto Show, Dodge introduced the new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty lineup, offering first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability. “Our new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups continue to build on Dodge Ram’s leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Jeep®/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “Our Ram Heavy-Duty pickups reinforce Dodge Ram’s bold and powerful reputation, and provide improved capability in critical areas of the segment.”
Today Chrysler LLC earned two top awards from Cars.com. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 was named “Work Truck of the Year” and the 2009 Jeep Wrangler received “Best New Car for Off-roaders.” “Cars.com’s Lifestyle Awards focus on selecting the best vehicles for different consumer lifestyles,” said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief at Cars.com. “When choosing our Work Truck of the Year, we look for vehicles that perform well, whether that means getting a commuter to work comfortably and efficiently or providing a hard worker with power, durability and a lot of cargo space. With impressive ride quality, a high-quality cabin and exceptional storage space, the Dodge Ram 1500 was this year’s clear winner.”
The all-new Dodge Ram pickup continues its winning streak, taking home Consumer Guide’s “Best Buy for 2009” in the Large Pickup category. “Dodge Ram gets our Best Buy nod thanks to its composed ride, impressively comfortable and quiet cabin and unique cargo storage features,” said Tom Appel, Associate Publisher – Consumer Guide Automotive. “Ram is also remarkably maneuverable for a large pickup truck.” Since 1967, Consumer Guide has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks. Its staff of 16 includes 10 full-time automotive editors with more than 150 years of combined automotive experience. Consumer Guide's singular focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers.
In the following video on YouTube, television personality (and a personal favorite) Mike Rowe places the 2009 Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram pickup trucks head to head at Ford Motor Company's Detroit Proving Grounds in Michigan. The test shows the handling and performance of each truck on the river bed course side by side in real time. I've had the opportunity myself to test both a 2009 Ford F-250 Super Duty and 2008 Dodge 2500 HD pickup truck on the same course and I will say that all of these trucks do take a beating on the river bed and each truck test proves itself. Check out the video below.
Chrysler LLC is recalling 19,024 2005 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles due to an issue with the fuel tank filler tube inlet check valve potentially not fully closing after refueling the vehicle increasing the risk of fire. Owners are encouraged to contact their local dealer as soon as possible and any defects will be replaced free of charge. You may contact Chrysler directly at 1-800-853-1403 or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website at Safecar.gov.
Chrysler have issued a recall of 32,865 2008 to 2009 Dodge Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and Ram 3500 Chassis Cab pickup trucks equipped with the Powers and Sons steering linkages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod can fracture causing a loss of control of steering. Owners are encouraged to contact their local dealers as soon as possible to have the problem fixed. For more information you can contact Chrysler directly at 800-853-1403 or call the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.
After lowering costs by $3.4 billion, Chrysler LLC have now announced plans for 24 new vehicle launches from spring 2009 till 2011 which include the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. The programs will include Chrysler's new ENVI electric vehicle program, their new "Phoenix" V6 engine and potential upgrades from Fiat who now own a 35 percent stake in Chrysler. Italian leather Grand Cherokee seats anyone?
Chrysler LLC announced today that it will offer the new "Employee Pricing Plus Plus" program to all customers toward the purchase or lease of a new 2008 or 2009 Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle. In addition to the employee price, customers will be eligible for cash discounts of up to $3,500 for 2009 model year vehicles and up to $6,000 on 2008 model year vehicles. Chrysler Financial is also offering zero percent financing to qualified customers for up to 48 months.
With the announcement of Chrysler Financial gaining access to $1.5 billion in loans from the Treasury Department, qualified new vehicle customers will be able to apply for zero percent financing for up to 60 months when financing a new Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle through Chrysler Financial. The affordable financing terms will be available on select 2008 and 2009 MY vehicles, and are effective immediately.
The FS-2500 is a bypass filtration system specifically designed for diesel engines. Diesel engines generate a lot of soot that grinds away the moving parts of your engine. Modern emission controlled engines with EGR and post-injection technology are even more serious offenders when it comes to oil contamination. Every engine needs a full-flow filter, but they have limitations. Because of the high volume of oil they must process, full-flow filters cannot be too restrictive or they would risk starving the engine of oil.
According to Pickuptrucks.com Chrysler LLC have delayed the light duty diesel engine for the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, says "It will be 2011 calendar year or later". Chrysler also noted the main reason for the delay has to do with the "high cost of new hardware needed to meet diesel emissions regulations in all 50 states for 2010". Klegon concluded with "We were hoping to use our current system (NOx catalyst trap), but the extra cost is a reason to bring (urea) SCR forward in time".
For pickup owners who need extraordinary power, capability, durability and low emissions, the 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups provide it all. Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups offer an available 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine producing 350 horsepower (261 kW) and 650 lb.-ft. (881 N•m) of low-end torque. The 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine already achieves 2010 NOx emission standards, making it the cleanest and best-performing heavy-duty pickup truck on the market. The engine is standard on Dodge Ram 3500 models. More than 80 percent of Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 customers choose diesel-powered models. The 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty's 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to virtually eliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent, making Dodge the only manufacturer to meet stringent 2010 emissions standards – today.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram earned the 2009 International Truck of the Year, awarded by International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jurors. The Dodge Ram beat the new 2009 Ford F-150 and Subaru Forester for top honors. The ICOTY board consists of nationally renowned automotive editors and journalists from a variety of respected publications and broadcast outlets. "Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues to haul in awards,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Jeep®/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “We’re glad third-party organizations, including ICOTY, recognize Dodge Ram’s game-changing innovations, functionality, safety and value.”
Now in its second generation, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine has once again earned a place on Ward’s distinguished “2009 10 Best Engines” list. Relentlessly delivering powertrain excellence, Chrysler LLC has earned Ward’s "10 Best" award six times in the last seven years with the iconic 5.7-liter HEMI engine. "The HEMI earns the honor not on pure emotion or brute force but with advanced new technology such as variable valve timing, which allows cruising in four-cylinder mode about 40 percent of the time, which is twice as much as the previous-generation Multi-Displacement System cylinder-deactivation system," said Tom Murphy – Executive Director of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. "A number of Ward’s testers managed to top 19 mpg (12.3 L/100 km) with the HEMI, putting it in line with certain premium V-6s tested."
Leading truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. offers the ActionKover, a new fiberglass tonneau cover available for most current short bed and extra short bed trucks, including the Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram. The ActionKover is a competitively priced tonneau cover featuring an aluminum base rail system, heavy-duty front hinges, an Eberhard palm handle that houses the keylock - offering protection from scratches and chips - and A.R.E.'s popular Lift Assist gas strut system that makes the lid easy to open and close.
The game-changing all-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues to win praise by consumers and media. The all-new Dodge Ram was named 2009 Truck of the Year in the current issue of Truckin’ magazine. “It’s an honor to have Truckin’ magazine recognize our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with this significant award,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice-President Jeep®/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “This award speaks loudly about the design and capability of our Dodge Ram along with its benchmark interior and unmatched ride and handling.”
The 2009 Dodge Dakota four door pickup truck has received a five star crash test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the front driver, front passenger, side driver and side rear passenger spots. The truck was not equipped with side impact air bags as well as electronic stability control. The NHTSA also gave the Dakota pickup a four star rating for roll overs in both the two wheel drive and four wheel drive models, with a 17 and 19 percent chance of a roll over.
In an interview with Chrysler LLC, Mike Levine of pickuptrucks has confirmed that Chrysler is in fact planning on offering a light duty diesel engine for their Dodge Ram 1500 pickup as well as a Ram Hybrid version. “It still makes sense to offer a light-duty diesel,” said Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development. “We think from the total perspective of the regulatory environment, fuel efficiency and other things down the road, diesel is still going to be an element that’s important in this market, and that customers will be attracted to a diesel light-duty truck". In order to develop and build the new light duty diesel engine, Chrysler has teamed up with Cummins who have been producing their current diesel motors since 1988. Fuel efficiency is also noted as a priority for the new motor, over towing performance and other common requests, and the new engine may be produced as a 5.0 liter version. Mr. Klegon also confirmed that Chrysler has promised a hybrid version of the Ram for the 2010 model year and the Ram Hybrid "is still on track". We'll keep you posted Truckblog!
Pickuptrucks posted the latest NHTSA roll over crash test ratings for the 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Dodge Ram, and the results were not that great for the four wheel drive platforms. "The 2009 four wheel drive Ford F-150 was given a 22 percent chance of a roll over versus 19 percent in the 2008 F-150". The Dodge Ram increased as well, earning a "21 percent chance of a roll over compared to 19 percent in the 2008 Ram 1500". The new roll over tests drop the two trucks' ratings from 5 stars to only 3. You can check out more information about each pickup truck by heading on over to their site.
MBRPinc is proud to introduce the Performance Series line of diesel exhaust systems for Chevy/GMC 2500/3500 Duramax, Dodge Cummins and Ford F-250/350. The new Performance Series line is manufactured of heavy-duty aluminized steel with fully sealed tubing to enhance performance and prevent rust. The system design includes a spiral louvered high-flow muffler to expel hot exhaust gasses, improve performance and enhance fuel economy. Providing up to 18HP and up to 28ft/lb of torque, this tough and affordable system also delivers a rich, mellow exhaust note for the perfect sound.
Motor Trend may have claimed the 2009 Ford F-150 the "2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year" but the magazine also tested several other vehicles in the full size pickup truck category, including the Dodge Ram, Hummer H3T, and Suzuki Equator. Writing an 8 page feature which includes YouTube videos, Motor Trend took the trucks out to Chrysler's proving grounds in Arizona to push them through vigorous tests to see which truck was the toughest. Head on over to their review located here to see how each truck performed.
Motor Trend, the leading automotive authority and part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, a subsidiary of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc, today announced the selection of the all-new Ford F-150 as its 2009 Truck of the Year™. The complete report on Motor Trend's 2009 Truck of the Year is available online and will be published in the magazine's February issue, available on newsstands January 6, 2009. "The stakes were high and the field of contenders was among the best yet for this year's voting," said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of Motor Trend. "Despite the downturn in the economy, the pickup truck remains the automotive backbone of America, providing a tough, durable workhorse for business and recreational users alike. No matter what shape the American auto industry emerges from the current crisis, the pickup truck will remain a key part of the American automotive landscape.
Numerous news sources are claiming that Nissan USA are "strongly considering" on cutting their Armada SUV and Infiniti QX45 luxury SUV from their model line up entirely in the future, as well as replace the Titan pickup truck with their recently announced NV2500 commercial van. What that means for their relationship with Chrysler LLC and the future of the Dodge Ram pickup truck is uncertain, but with Chrysler also strapped for cash, the future for a Nissan pickup or Dodge Ram truck are looking grim.
Chrysler have issued a new recall this morning, this time affecting their 2007 to 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with the 6.7 liter diesel motor. The part effected is a silencer pad that can sag and contact the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (EGR). This contact can result in an engine compartment fire and is highly serious. Owners are urged to contact dealers as soon as possible for a support bracket to be installed. Owners can contact Chrysler directly at 1-800-853-1403 or their local dealer.
Weighing in at 5,488 pounds, the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 four door Crew Cab pickup truck has been awarded a 5 star rating in driver and passenger front crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The truck tested was equipped with side impact curtain air bags, which did help the pickup trucks score. Check out the crash test video inside.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released their top ten list of the most stolen vehicles in 2008 and making the list were a handful of pickup trucks and SUV's including the popular Cadillac Escalade SUV, F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks, and two Hummer's. Here is the official list including their average loss per claim on each vehicle:
American Force have come out with their custom dually wheels called "Robust", available in the 22, 22.5 and 24 inch configurations for late model dually trucks. Made of a high polished, CNC forged aluminum, the "Robust" wheel is American Force's newest addition of custom dually wheels. For more information, check out www.americanforcewheels.com.
ATS announces the new Aurora Plus Turbo System - a perfect choice for truck owners that want the ultimate towing or streetable hot rod performance. For diesel drivers who are thinking about, or have already added a power module to their truck, this is the perfect turbo kit to control the raised exhaust temperatures that the additional fuel causes. The Aurora Plus Turbo System provides incredibly quick response with fantastic midrange torque and a nice top end power level. By utilizing the factory turbocharger that comes on the Dodge Cummins...
Lowering suspension company, Ground Force, have released their suspension system for the 2009 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 2 wheel drive pickup truck. The kit allows for a 2 inch drop in the front and 4 inch drop in the rear, and is comprised of new performance front coil springs, cell foam bump stops, four new performance shocks, and a new rear performance coil spring. For more information check out www.GroundForce.com
Leading truck cap and tonneau manufacturer A.R.E. introduces its LSII fiberglass tonneau cover for the all new 2009 Dodge Ram. A.R.E.'s LSII Series is the ultimate in custom-fitted hard tonneau covers, built to match the exact size and shape of the Ram's redesigned bed. Equipped with an exclusive Lift Assist gas strut system, the LSII is easy to open and close and provides a secure, watertight storage area in the truck bed.
Just in case you crawled under a rock last week and did not get the memo about our SEMA coverage, this weeks "Monday Morning Recap" is comprised of our SEMA coverage from last week including the launch of Ford's SVT Raptor F-150 and sighting of the 2009 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition. MOTORZ also launched their 13th episode, a full how-to installation of an Alpine Electronics stereo system.
For a huge list of all our SEMA blogs from last week, go to live.truckblog.com.
After comparing trucks this August at the Ram Challenge Test Drive in St. Louis, Adam Brittengham, 22, of Montgomery City, Mo., is the winner of an all-new 2009 Dodge Ram, courtesy of Chrysler Financial and Chrysler LLC. More than 11,000 consumers in 12 cities took part in the Ram Challenge Test Drive. Participants received an early look at the 2009 Dodge Ram before it arrived in dealer showrooms and were able to test drive the Ram, and its competition, on challenging on- and off-road courses. While participating in Ram Challenge Test Drives, consumers could enter the sweepstakes to win a new truck.
As 2009 model year vehicles arrive in local Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep showrooms, customers will be pleased to find that fuel economy has increased on 19 of Chrysler LLC’s car, truck and SUV models, representing 73 percent of the entire product lineup. American consumers could see savings of as much as 6.7 million gallons of fuel per year with the 2009 fuel economy improvements. “Chrysler is committed to improving fuel economy for our customers, and we consistently look at viable technologies to help us achieve that goal,” said Bob Lee, Vice-President – Powertrain Product Team. “With offerings such as our Multi-displacement System (MDS), Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect, we are able to deliver consumers fuel economy improvements in a majority of our 2009 models.”
"Truck or Treat" should be the words you will hear tonight when all of your neighborhood freaks kids come out to go trick-or-treating and see your custom carved pickup truck pumpkin! There's a link inside of the full stencil if you want to cut one out. There are two stencils to choose from, one of a 2009 Dodge Ram and the other a 2009 Dodge Challenger.
The Truckblog crew hopes you all have a safe and happy "Truck or Treat" tonight!
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 today was named the "Best New Pickup Truck" by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The announcement follows an intensive week of vehicle evaluations performed by professional automotive journalists at the annual AJAC Test Fest in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. “We thank AJAC for this recognition which confirms that the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is the best pickup truck in Canada,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO, Chrysler Canada. “The all-new Dodge Ram offers bold exterior design, benchmark interior, best-in-class ride and handling, 35 new or improved features, and more than 35 safety features. Dodge Ram 1500 delivers more truck for less money and is the best value crew cab in Canada.”
The 2008 SEMA Show is just days away and over the past couple of months, we've been bringing you the latest project vehicles that will debut next week in Las Vegas, Nevada. These vehicles represent some of the automotive industries most customized rides built by aftermarket parts companies and automotive manufacturers. In addition to these unique vehicles, MOTORZ TV have entered two vehicles in of their own, a 2005 Ford F-150 SuperCrew and a 2006 F-250 SuperDuty Crew Cab. Check out all of the cool rides inside.
Make sure you visit Truckblog.com all week long beginning November 2nd for our Live Blogging! For more details, click here.
The official SEMA 2008 countdown has begun. Exactly one week from today it's going down, Truckblog.com, Las Vegas, right here, right now. A summary of Truckblog's Live Blogging can be found here.
Check out the list below of our top stories from last week:
According to Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research, the car brand and segment owned by voters is related to their preference in presidential candidates. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) rates high among domestic and luxury owners. Among the domestic brands, owners of GMC (61 percent), Chevrolet (60 percent), Buick and Dodge (each at 58 percent), as well as Ford (57 percent) vehicles are the highest in favor of McCain. In the luxury vehicle segment, McCain leads among Lexus, BMW, and Lincoln owners at 52 percent each.
In response to the continuing global economic slowdown and auto industry contraction, as well as the market's continuing movement toward smaller vehicles, Chrysler LLC is announcing the elimination of one shift of production at its Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant and the pull-ahead of the closure of the Newark (Delaware) Assembly Plant. The schedule change will adjust inventory to better match consumer demand.
The 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Dodge Ram full size pickup trucks have arrived on dealership lots with some cash savings backing their re-designed packages. Ford is offering $2,000 cash back in factory rebates regardless of cab configuration (Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew). Dodge are offering a $1,000 rebate for the Dodge Ram 1500 and $2000 cash back for their 2500 and 3500 heavier duty pickup trucks. Both automotive manufacturers are hoping to maintain interest in their state-of-the-art pickup trucks and help push sales to levels they were at five years ago. Reported by Autoblog.
Using a 2009 Dodge Ram Sport, the exterior blackberry paint really plays up the Dodge Ram Mopar Street Package. This Mopar Underground concept truck features a Mopar body kit consisting of sill extensions and a chin-spoiler. A slight Mopar body drop/leveling kit and Mopar concept 22-inch polished Alcoa forged wheels add to the appearance.
Voting after their annual Truck Rodeo, members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 “Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas,” giving Dodge honors over competitors from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Nissan, Honda and Toyota. “This is quite an honor,” said Mike Accavitti, Director, Dodge Marketing. “In a head-to-head competition, our game-changing all-new 2009 Dodge Ram un-seated the new Ford F-150, long considered the leader in the market. This is not only the best pickup truck we’ve ever built, it’s the best pickup on the market, period.” TAWA’s competition names three overall winners, including Truck of Texas, SUV of Texas and Crossover of Texas (a new category this year), along with 12 additional categories.
Yeah, it’s gotta HEMI Hybrid. And best-in-class fuel economy, too. Official EPA fuel economy numbers for the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid are 20 city and 22 highway, achieving best-in-class fuel economy ratings for a full-size 4x4 SUV. Chrysler LLC’s first production hybrids are coupled with the renowned 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology. Total output, when combined with the advanced two-mode hybrid system, is 400 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque – the most powerful hybrid SUVs. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid are priced nearly $8,000 below the competition.
The most noticeable aspect of the 2009 Dodge Ram Sportsman is the unique blowing-leaves paint scheme inspired by a new interpretation of traditional camouflage designed by Mopar Underground. The paint is protected by a set of accent Mopar wheel flares and running boards with an integrated step. The Sportsman features Dodge’s exclusive RamBox storage system, filled with plenty of outdoor gear, and the bed rail system holds a cargo rack for additional cargo capacity.
The 2009 Dodge Ram TRXtreme plays up the off-road capabilities of the 2009 Ram TRX package. Starting life with a quad cab TRX-4 off-road truck, it was easy to upgrade this truck to a serious off-road machine. Mopar Underground design team added 4.5-inches of extra ground clearance using a Mopar lift kit. This made room for Mopar polished and forged 20-inch wheels wrapped in knurly BFG 37X12.50’s.
Last week we bought you two new SEMA project trucks, the Turbonetics 2009 F-150 and ICON's Toyota FJ45 classic pickup truck. The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab truck was put to the test, as well as Toyota placing the Tundra Heavy Duty under its own tests of whether or not the truck will survive. General Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation both announced huge savings deals on new vehicles, and Ford's new 6.7 liter diesel engine was spotted.
Edmunds Inside Line have placed the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab under their vigorous tests and concluded that the pickup truck is a "very well-thought-out package" but needs attention to its braking system, stating they are "underachieving". The new Dodge pickup offers a supreme ride quality due to their new rear coil spring suspension which beats other trucks in its half-ton pickup truck class, and continues to go the extra mile with innovative storage solutions. Click here to read Edmunds' review.
The largest story from last week was the announcement of Truckblog's Live Blogging at the 2008 SEMA Show which is less than one month away. With that announcement, there has also been some news regarding manufacturers and their individual project vehicles for the show. Check out the new "SEMA trucks" below, along with a re-cap of news from last week.
The K&N High-Flow Intake System for the 2007-08 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Cummins 6.7L, increases horsepower by 20.63 hp and 43.35 lb-ft at 2500 rpm over the stock intake configuration. To achieve such a performance increase, K&N replaces the truck’s original intake assembly; including the air box, air filter and intake tube with an all-new intake design. The new system draws air through a K&N High-Flow Air Filter that increases airflow and dirt capacity, and never needs to be replaced.
The 2008 SEMA Show is right around the corner and we at Truckblog are anxiously awaiting it. Last week Performance West Group announced their Ford F-350 Striker pickup truck, which is one wicked ride that takes inspiration from the Shelby GT500KR muscle car. The automotive industry began to pickup again last week with updates coming from Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Jeep, and Chrysler.
At the State Fair of Texas today, Dodge will introduce the all-new 2009 Lone Star Edition Dodge Ram 1500, a Texas-exclusive model in the 2009 Dodge Ram lineup. The new truck arrives this month with a truck-load of special equipment and enhancements. “Texas is the single largest truck market on the planet for Dodge,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Division, Chrysler LLC. “Texans love their trucks, and Dodge gives them more to love with a special edition of our game-changing 2009 Dodge Ram – already the best pickup available anywhere. With the Dodge Ram Lone Star, Texans get style, performance, utility and even more value.”
To establish the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 as a game-changing vehicle, the Dodge brand turned to the independent vehicle testing and evaluation company Automotive Marketing Consultants Inc. (AMCI) to test the new pickup truck in head-to-head comparisons against its major competitors. In a series of challenges, AMCI, among the industry’s foremost automotive testing and evaluation companies, tested the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 in the areas of acceleration, towing, fuel economy and ride quality over a period of eight months and proved 12 compelling claims.
The Dodge brand challenges the convention of the truck segment with the game-changing all-new 2009 Dodge Ram and a game-changing marketing launch that connects with consumers through new forms of content, new distribution channels and targeting tools. Unconventional components of the launch include leveraging consumer fascination with the reality television show genre by partnering with award-winning action adventure director Tony Scott to create a first-of-its-kind, long-form reality competition; innovative brand integrations and unique partnerships with three key networks – NBC, FOX and Yahoo!; election night (Nov. 4) homepage takeovers on AOL, MSN and Yahoo!; and a multi-layered media strategy to target, engage and entertain consumers.
Despite the 24% decline of overall pickup truck sales between January and August 2008 compared to last year, nearly 1.4 million new trucks have been added to the roads this year alone. Nearly 40 million plus trucks are in operation today, according to R.L. Polk vehicle registration data. The Chevrolet Silverado gained the top spot at 256,060 units sold so far this year, down 21% from last year. The Ford F-Series Light Duty pickup truck platform grabbed second place with only 215,982 units sold, a 25% decline. The Ford F-Series Super Duty took third place with 129,896 units, a 26% decline and the Dodge Ram Light Duty pickup took four place selling 108,652 units, down 29%. The least effected vehicles were the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks, down only 5% and 11% so far this year.
The 2009 Dodge Ram pickup is an amazing pickup truck, loaded with state of the art features and offers new options never released on trucks before. What the truck is lacking though (and what Chevrolet and Ford are currently developing and ready to launch soon), is its dual mode hybrid powertrain currently equipped in the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango sports utility vehicles. The new Dodge Ram will also not see a next generation diesel engine, but Dodge promises both will appear "sometime after 2009". The reason they are waiting? We're not quite sure. That question was asked to Dodge Director of Truck Marketing, Joe Veltri, who responded "It's kind of like trying to cover every bet on a roulette wheel" and "No one has the money it takes to cover every possibility at launch. If you want to execute a well-designed product with maximum quality, you have to set some priorities. We set our priorities, and we're pretty happy with the [Ram] product mix".
A reader at the popular gadget blog Gizmodo reviewed Chrysler's in car wi-fi internet service by Autonet and concluded that although the system works, it has bugs that need to be sorted out. Those bugs include its EVDO connection which constantly drops back to CDMA connectivity (old school connection), they only offer WEP security encryption which tends to be "not so" secure, and their standard plan only comes with a 1 gigabyte bandwidth cap. In today's day and age, you can suck up 1 gigabyte just by checking out our 2009 Dodge Ram photos.
With the release of the newly re-designed 2009 Dodge Ram, Ford Motor Company is gearing up for another pickup truck battle this Fall season. Beginning on September 22nd, 2,000 workers will head back to Ford's truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan where the re-designed 2009 F-150 will be jump started again to defend its title of the best-selling truck line in America for over 30 years. Quality Manager at Ford's Dearborn plant, Debbie Manzano, said that "the delay gave Ford more time to get the truck just right", after commenting on the validation process required to ensure all parts and assembly lines are "up to par" to ensure the "best quality". It seems that the pickup truck wars are not quite over yet despite the rise in gasoline prices and lack of truck sales over the past year. But just like the Joker says in the late summer movie, "The Dark Knight", "You've got a little fight in you...I like that".
Success in the work place can sometimes be hard to achieve, especially if you are not a straight shooter with your boss. Bob Slydell of "Office Space" tells us how you can become part of the "upper management" if you are like Peter Gibbons, "I'd like to move us right along to a Peter Gibbons. Now we had a chance to meet this young man, and boy that's just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him". So the question of the morning is, "are you a straight shooter with upper management written all over yourself"?
One thing is for sure, success in the work place can definitely be achieved by checking out our blogs from last week- I guarantee it. Oh by the way, did you get the memo that Truckblog.TV is now called MOTORZ?
Chrysler LLC are the latest to offer employee buyouts of more than 13,000 jobs in increased efforts to cut costs, according to Detroit News. Chrysler have not disclosed a specific "reduction target" but officials stated they would like to eliminate at least 2,000 jobs in the near future. The cut comes in addition to the already announced 1,000 collar jobs cut to be made by the end of this month. "The latest buyout offers reflect very weak auto sales this summer" said Gregg Lemos Stein, an analyst for the Standard and Poor's rating agency. "It's very difficult for the automakers, obviously. They've had tremendous cash outflows despite their abilities to cut costs". Chrysler said of the 13,800 workers, all are eligible for the offers that will be rolled out in announcements next week.
