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SEARCHThe past decade since Ram Trucks became a standalone brand has been full of innovation, design, and focus on the fleet customer.
The Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty offers a towing capacity of 35,100 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,680 pounds.
Photo: Ram Trucks
Ram Trucks 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, Ram Trucks has steadily become a leader in durability, technology, efficiency, and convenience with features never 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. This focus has allowed 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 we’re making the right moves, at the right time, to attract buyers.”
Ram has also set many benchmarks in efficiency as the first light-duty diesel truck, first high-volume hybrid trucks with the eTorque system, and first full-size pickups with 1,000 miles of driving range with the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, Sowers added.
"As a stand-alone truck brand, Ram has been able to focus on the specific demands of hard-working truck customers, from the weekend warrior to the professional large fleet manager. We have delivered record levels of capability, efficiency, and innovation over the last 10 years,” said Dave Sowers, head of Ram Commercial vehicle marketing.
And over the decade, Ram Trucks 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.
“Ram Trucks have been able to make huge strides in capability, efficiency, and innovation. Commercial customers demand strong and capable tools to support their business. Ram has been the first truck brand to deliver towing over 30,000 pounds and then towing more than 35,000 pounds. Now, Ram is the first to truck with 1,000 lb.-ft. of diesel torque in a heavy-duty truck,” Sowers said.
Ram won’t stop delivering innovation such as the Ram Box Cargo system, the 12-inch interactive touch screen, and the new Multifunction tailgate. The truckmaker is keenly looking toward the future.
“Ram Trucks is looking to continue the momentum and deliver strong growth it has built in the decade as a stand-alone truck brand,” Sowers concluded.
The 2020 Ram Chassis Cab features class-exclusive PTO options for left- and right-side components.
Photo: Ram Trucks
Since Ram Trucks became a distinct brand 10 years, it has continued to create and innovate for the truck fleet market:
In 2009, Ram Trucks introduced the RamBox cargo management system, creating 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.
The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks were available for the first time as a crew cab model, providing Ram with an entry in the highest volume part of the heavy-duty pickup segment. Also, the Ram 1500 Outdoorsman joined the lineup as a new trim designed for outdoor enthusiasts.
Ram began offering a chassis cab for the 2011 model-year. Making its debut at the State Fair of Texas for the 2011 model-year, the Ram 1500 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.
A new 6-speed automatic transmission, available on the 4.7L and 5.7L HEMI V-8 engines, and a new steering wheel with cruise control buttons also debuted for 2012. A new Tradesman Heavy Duty also joined the lineup for the 2012 model year and brought class-leading towing, payload, and gross combined weight rating. The Tradesman is aimed at the hardworking needs of small-business owners, construction jobsites, and commercial fleets.
The Ram multifunction tailgate is trailer-friendly and does not require the removal of the trailer and hitch before opening and features a 2,000-pound load rating.
Photo: Ram Trucks
The 2013 Ram 1500 featured new exterior design cues. Best-in-class fuel economy was achieved with the addition of the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine and TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission. The 5.7L HEMI V-8 was also available with the TorqueFlite 8-speed transmission for the first time.
Also new for 2013 was the remote central locking RamBox cargo management system and tailgate combined with door locks.
In 2014, Ram Trucks launched a new division to focus on commercial truck development, sales, and support in a growing market. The Ram Commercial organization continues to offer a full line of industrial-strength trucks and vans.
The Ram 1500 was the first modern ½-ton, full-size pickup to efficient diesel technology. The EcoDiesel-powered 2014 Ram 1500 earned a 28-mpg rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the best highway-cycle test result ever achieved by a ½-ton, full-size pickup. Ram sold more than 8,000 trucks equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engine in the first 72 hours.
Additionally, the 2014 Ram ProMaster joined the lineup in the full-size van segment. It was the first offering in its competitive set to provide both a chassis cab and cutaway from the factory.
The 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel kicked in the door, for both the brand and segment, with the introduction of a one-of-a-kind design that brought robust off-road capability, enabling the brand to reach even more consumers.
For 2017, the Ram 1500 received new standard features, including remote start and security alarm. Ram also introduced a special-edition 1500 Night package that gave truck enthusiasts straight-from-the-factory customized looks. The Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport also bowed in 2017 and tied the monochromatic exterior theme together with a body-color front fascia, rear bumper, side mirrors, and door handles.
A few special-edition trucks joined the lineup for 2018, including the Harvest lineup, 1500 Limited Tungsten, Laramie Longhorn Southfork, and Heavy Duty Lone Star Silver editions.
The fifth-generation Ram 1500 offered features never offered in a pickup.
The upgraded eTorque version of the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 debuted for the 2019 model-year, specially tuned for truck duty and rated at 305 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The 5.7L HEMI V-8 combines the muscle of 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque with performance-enhancing and fuel-saving technologies that include variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation.
Additionally, Ram Trucks launched its multifunction tailgate. The Ram multifunction tailgate is trailer-friendly and does not require the removal of the trailer and hitch before opening. With a 2,000-pound load rating, Ram multifunction tailgate retains all the traditional tailgate’s capability and adds a 60-40 split and swing-away functionality.
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty has a towing capacity of 35,100 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,680 pounds. The latest iteration of Ram’s heavy-duty offering brings a torque rating of 1,000 lb.-ft. from the Cummins I-6 Turbo Diesel engine.
The 2020 Ram 1500 features 480 lb.-ft. of torque and towing capability up to 12,560 pounds. The all-new third-generation 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel is available in all models and configurations, including a first-time offering in the Ram Rebel.
The Ram 1500 is the first full-size pickup truck to be named a Top Safety Pick+, the highest rating given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
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