September 09, 2008
Dodge Continues to Build Momentum in Commercial Vehicle Market
AUBURN HILLS, MI
– Dodge now offers a full line of Class 2-5 commercial vehicles. Led by the
Dodge Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 Chassis Cabs — which compete in the Class 3-5
medium-duty segments — the brand’s commercial program is anchored by the Dodge
Sprinter and the Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van.
For Dodge, the commercial market is a great example
of capitalizing on adjacent opportunities while serving as a natural complement
to a strategic objective of extending the business by investing in new products
that cover new segments. Beginning with the 2003 introduction of the Dodge
Sprinter — which delivers the segment’s best overall value and most
best-in-class advantages, Dodge made its return to the commercial market. Then,
in returning to the Class 3 segment, Dodge set the new commercial standard with
the all-new Ram 3500 Chassis Cab, which quickly achieved a 29 percent market
share in less than one year, surpassing the historic leader Ford and leading
the segment in four out of the past six months of 2007.
In addition, last year Dodge extended its reach into
the Class 4 and 5 medium-duty markets with the all-new Ram 4500 and 5500
Chassis Cabs, which offer best-in-class fuel economy. Dodge continues its climb
in the medium-duty segment and has achieved a 16 percent share of the Class 4
and 5 retail market in less than one year.
Industry-wide, Dodge is a distinct bright spot this
year, leading all other manufacturers with Class 3-5 half-year growth of 132
percent versus the same six-month period in 2007. For Class 3, Dodge grew 102
percent and for Class 4-5 is up 100 percent. In total, through the first six
months of 2008, Dodge increased its retail market share to 21 percent for the
Class 3-5 segments.