Ram Trucks Australia posted another record month in November – in terms of both local right-hand drive remanufacturing and retail sales.
The newly expanded Melbourne Manufacturing facility – operated by Walkinshaw – was tasked with redesigning the Rams to be right-hand drive, having produced 900 of the brand’s pickups in November.
Meanwhile, its dealer network delivered a total of 710 Rams, including 655 best-selling Ram 1500s with Hemi V8 petrol engines and 55 Ram 2500s and 3500 even larger heavy duty trucks.
This retail figure means the Ram 1500 has outsold smaller and cheaper 4×4 competitors like the Nissan Navara (468) during the month.
The ongoing positive results have given Ram Trucks, part of the global Stellantis network, confidence that Australia will become an ever greater source of US-focused working horses.
Ram International Director Bob Graczyk, who visited Melbourne recently to see the production facility expand, said demand had “absolutely exceeded our expectations”.
“When we first looked at the business opportunity seven years ago and asked how big the market could be, nobody really knew what was going to happen, maybe 3000, 4000 – yes,” he said. maybe 5000 pcs.
“… 10,000 cars is a reality now – who knows, we might increase that to 15 or 20,000. The acceptance of full-size pickup trucks by Australians is phenomenal.”
Since the beginning of the year until now, Ram trucks have sold 5520 vehicles, up 54.3%, bringing this sales to 6000 vehicles in the year. The year-to-date tally puts it above rivals like Hino and Land Rover, while its November results place it above Jeep, a fellow Stellantis brand.
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When you consider the cheapest Ram truck is the $82,590 DS Express and the most expensive is the $199,950 Ram 1500 TRX with a supercharged V8, this number becomes all the more remarkable.
During the same period, rival Chevrolet – was sold by General Motors Special Vehicle (GMSV) and converted for another newly opened Walkinshaw facility in Melbourne – delivered 2045 Silverados.
GMSV has recorded 5,000 right-hand drive Chevrolet Silverado conversions for buyers in Australia and New Zealand after two years – and expects production to “increase significantly” in the future as demand for the vehicle sells out. downloads in the US boom.
Ram Trucks Australia, owned by vehicle distributor Ateco, calls itself the only RHD Ram truck manufacturer in the world authorized by Ram – citing its direct relationship with its US headquarters.
All Ram Trucks Australia pickups arriving here are left-hand drive but are to international specifications, coded unique to the local market. The company claims to employ 641 Australians and says each Ram pickup converted to RHD has between 361 and 465 new parts.
“There are significant benefits in the local supply chain of this rapidly growing vehicle segment,” it added.
With the success of Ram and Chevy, other competitors are rushing into the fray. Toyota Australia plans to sell redesigned Tundras locally here in the near future, with their difference being a hybrid engine.
No one misses out on a growing market with high margins, Ford will also bring domestically converted F-150s here next year in partnership with RMA Automotive at a facility in Mickleham, Victoria.
Aussies simply love these heavy haulers no matter how real they are need them, or just want them.
THAN: Ram Trucks sales boom in Australia
THAN: Current status – American full-size pickup trucks in Australia
