Sam Memmolo
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The new 2003 - 2500 / 3500 series just introduced September 20, 2002 includes one of the most legendary names in automotive lore....The HEMI....a 5.7 liter engine designed for the heavy duty market.
The New
Dodge Ram's 2500 and 3500 series brings back the
Auburn Hills, MI. Sept. 20, 2002 - According to current R.L. Polk statistics the heavy-duty pickup market has grown 34 percent since 1996 with 2500 / 3500 pickups accounting for 31 percent of the large pickup market. According to Bob Hegbloom, Dodge Ram Brand Manager, "the industries heavy duty segment is the fastest growing segment in truck sales." Hegbloom went on to say, "Dodge Ram Heavy Duty owners routinely push their Rams to the limit, that is why about 75 percent of our Ram 2500 / 3500 sales are diesels and 70 percent are four-wheel drive models." According to R.L. Polk's pickup truck statistics, sales across the board since 1996 have gone from 503,895 to 743,879 in 2001. In the 2001 calendar year Dodge sold almost 110,000 Ram Heavy Duty trucks, approximately 30 percent of all Ram sales. So far in 2002, sales figures hover just over the 408,000 mark, industry wide, and are growing. The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 herald the return of one of the most legendary names in automotive lore: HEMI. This is the Chrysler Groups first application of the new 5.7-liter HEMI, which for the Dodge Ram will be called HEMI Magnum, and will serve as the standard engine on the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks. Dodge Ram Heavy Duty production will be split approximately 70 percent 2500s and 30 percent 3500. According Hegbloom, "With the new 2003 Ram 2500 and 3500, Dodge designed a truck aimed at the heart of the heavy-duty market." Dodge created a new duty cycle aimed directly at commercial customers, testing the new Ram in conditions ranging from -40 F to +130 F and running the equivalent of 150,000 miles at 95 percent of their maximum towing and payload ratings. Currently 30 percent of our overall Ram pickup sales are Ram Heavy Duty pickups. The company expects the mix to change to approximately 40 percent with this all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. Dodge Ram has approximately 15 percent of the market. Ford, the overall leader, has approximately 46 percent of the market. We hope to gain market share, and be a strong profitable player in the heavy-duty segment.
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