Marchionne spins off Dodge Ram business as RAM
Chrysler has decided to grab the axe and split Dodge right in half, severing the ties between Dodge’s Ram truck business and the rest of the company that makes passenger vehicles. Apparently this will allow Dodge to “protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge brand”, according to Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne, who is also the CEO of Fiat.
The Dodge Ram truck business will be renamed simply RAM, and will be headed by Fred Diaz. “Dodge Car”’s new head will be Ralph Gilles. Chrysler’s new CEO and marketing head will be Olivier Francois, another man from Fiat where he plays a double role as Fiat marketing chief and the head of the Lancia brand.
Chrysler now has two predominantly truck-based brands – RAM and Jeep. The Dodge Ram is currently in its fourth generation called the Dodge Ram 1500, and is available in various 2-door and 4-door cab bodies.
It’s powered by a choice of a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 producing 390 horsepower and 552Nm of torque, a 4.7 liter Magnum V8 making 310 horses and 447Nm of torque, or a 3.7 liter Magnum V6 making 215 horses and 319Nm of torque.
Dodge also has the smaller Dodge Dakota and the Dodge Durango based on the Dakota. I guess it would make sense for these to follow the Ram to the new RAM brand.
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October 6, 2009 @ 9:16 am
such powerful gas guzzlers, no wonder Americans are choosing Japanese vehicles
October 6, 2009 @ 10:29 am
mantop!!! kan best proton boleh bina pickup macam ni..dpt design cantik macam ni pun jadilah..
suker tgk pickup lowered…especially triton kat siam..hehe…cun gilos..
October 6, 2009 @ 10:30 am
nick chan said,
October 6, 2009 @ 9:16 am
such powerful gas guzzlers, no wonder Americans are choosing Japanese vehicles
—————————–
I’m not sure why the Americans of yesteryear were so obsessed with big block engines? And old habits die hard, that’s why they’re still making big engines, when forced induction engines can generate just as much output and much more economical.
October 6, 2009 @ 10:46 am
another awesome looking pickup with lousy engine…
typical american, sigh…
October 6, 2009 @ 11:03 am
muscle car huh..evo is not a muscle car even tho the hp, acceleration and handling far better than most muscle car. weird yankees.
October 6, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
@theanswer
usually, typical muscle car have big engines, V8 especially. and evo didn’t have one
October 6, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I saw one in Germany, probably installed with the Hemi engine. There is no sweeter exhaust note than an American V8. It really stand out from the Volkswagen and Mercedes on the street.
October 6, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
I think American’s are resistant to chagne or maybe just to change the lineup is too hard. So keep making a truck, put a 9v battery, call it a hybrid and sell
October 6, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Tiadaid said,
October 6, 2009 @ 10:30 am
‘I’m not sure why the Americans of yesteryear were so obsessed with big block engines? And old habits die hard, that’s why they’re still making big engines, when forced induction engines can generate just as much output and much more economical.’
Maybe they like it because of maintenance costs ? The big V8s are mechanically simple and therefore easy to maintain.
A forced induction engine requires skilled mechanics and special diagnosis tools.
Remember the Honda NSR 150 motorbikes ? They nearly disappeared from the roads, because nobody is able to repair the fragile servo-driven exhaust valve. But the old Honda C70 are still on the road in large numbers, as every ‘kampung’ mechanic can repair it…
October 6, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
@mohd
it is not because of nobody able to repair
it is because of nobody affored to replace it, nsr parts are way too expensive. if i’m not mistaken, the servo cost u about 600 something
by the way, it is not exhaust valve. it is power valve.
October 6, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
Why you guys worried? The RAM is not available here .. if I were in the States, I’ll surely get it myself .. duh!