Ram Celebrates 10 Years of Independence as a Solo FCA Brand
Once borne of Dodge back in 1981, the Ram brand made a bold move to venture out on its own and it has been nothing short of rewarding.
Ram Truck today is celebrating a decade of innovation as a stand-alone brand with a full lineup of no-compromise trucks and commercial vehicles. Since emerging as a stand-alone brand in October 2009, the Ram Truck brand has steadily become a leader in durability, technology, efficiency and convenience with features never before offered in a pickup truck.
“Since becoming a distinct brand 10 years ago, Ram has had the benefit of being able to focus solely on trucks and commercial vehicles, allowing us to build the best vehicles possible for our customers,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand. “We expect Ram’s momentum to continue, and we feel optimistic that we’re making the right moves, at the right time, to attract buyers.”
Ram Truck has quickly developed a laundry list of exclusive features, including SiriusXM 360L with Personalized Stations by Pandora, reclining rear seats, multi-link coil spring rear suspension, active-level four-corner air suspension, active air dam, mild-hybrid eTorque engine options, thermal axle technology, RamBox cargo management system and multifunction tailgate, to name a few. Here are its biggest milestones to date.
2009: Redefining the American Truck
In 2009, Ram Truck introduced a feature that would become a stalwart in the brand’s portfolio: the RamBox cargo management system. RamBox’s side bins create storage along each side of the pickup bed, space previously left untouched because of wheel-well intrusion. RamBox bins fit the length of the pickup bed and incorporate the space over each wheel well to secure cargo within a lit, lockable and drainable container. Lids include swing hinges with intermediate and full-open positions that lift the lid 90 degrees perpendicular to each side.
2010: ‘New Crew’ of Ram Heavy Duty Pickups
The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks provided customers with first-time innovations and features, along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on Ram’s leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks were available for the first time as a crew cab model, providing Ram with a formidable entry in the highest volume part of the heavy-duty pickup segment.
Outdoorsman
The Ram 1500 Outdoorsman joined the lineup as a new trim that was designed for outdoor enthusiasts. The Outdoorsman took all of the features most useful to hunters, fishermen, campers and boaters and packaged them into one model. Outdoorsman combined convenience, off-road capability and trailer towing hardware in one package with a name that resonated among its intended users.
2011
Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn – Luxury Redefined
Making its debut at the State Fair of Texas for the 2011 model year, the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn was unveiled as the most luxurious truck ever produced by the Company. The Laramie Longhorn was designed for the owner who needs a truck for work or play, but won’t settle for anything but the finest quality and refinement. Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn owners continue to be greeted by the highest quality materials every time they climb behind the wheel.
Chassis Cab Joins the Lineup
Ram began offering a chassis cab for the 2011 model year and brought best-in-class standard horsepower and torque, brake life, standard gross vehicle weight rating, powertrain warranty and a class-exclusive manual transmission along with it. By working with truck body suppliers, Ram Truck engineers gave the 2011 Ram Chassis Cab an upfitter-friendly design, providing customers with a less expensive, worry-free experience in their choice of work body adaptation to the vehicle.
‘Ram Celebrates 10 Years of Independence as a Solo FCA Brand ‘ continued…