AUBURN HILLS, MI - The Ram Heavy Duty has been named MOTOR TREND's 2010 Truck of the Year.

The Ram Heavy Duty was unanimously voted 2010 Truck of the Year by the MOTOR TREND judges after an exhaustive evaluation process that included a full range of performance tests, on-road driving, and attribute-based tests. Judging criteria was based on six categories: design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety, and value.

"No automotive segment has been left untouched by the economic downturn, but the truck market has been especially hard hit," said Angus MacKenzie, MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief. "With many casual personal use truck buyers having deserted the market, the industry been forced to tightly focus its products on the specific needs of truck users."

The Ram Heavy Duty was one of four trucks eligible for this year's Truck of the Year award. Competitors included the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the Ford Transit Connect, and the Toyota Tundra 4.6L work truck.

The Ram range includes the 2500 and 3500 models, available with a variety of cab and bed configurations, and towing and payload capacities. The Ram 3500's towing capacity is 17,500 lbs., and as the testers at this year's Truck of the Year discovered, towing a large boat is very easy. The judges were also impressed by the Ram Heavy Duty's Cummins diesel engine, which delivers 350 hp and 650 ft.-lb. of torque while meeting 50-state exhaust emissions standards without the need for the costly urea after-treatment required by rival diesels.

"Many truck buyers still need the extreme capabilities of a heavy duty pickup truck," said MacKenzie. "For them, hauling 20,000 lbs. of cargo is part of everyday life... The Ram is quieter, more comfortable, and people-friendly than before without sacrificing its considerable capability."

The Ford Fusion was selected as MOTOR TREND's2010 Car of the Year.