Here I am

Finally told DC what I thought of their vehicle offerings

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Yes iam a addict!

Take your card and shove it!

I don't think it will get any attention but I tried... ... and before you ask, no I won't get rid of the CTD, but I will trade the jeep in.



I am highly disappointed in the vehicle type/configurations offered by Dodge. I am a loyal Dodge/DC customer with a '96 3/4 Ton Turbo Diesel and a '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee. My wife and I are raising an expanding family and will have to buy a vehicle with more room on the inside. We will be purchasing a new large SUV/4 door pickup before the birth of our next child. I was looking forward to the new line of 4 door Dodge pickups, but I was disappointed to find out that the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks will not have the 4 door body style until 2003.

I am also disappointed that DC has not built a large SUV vehicle with multiple engine selections (diesel engine). DC is really missing the boat when it comes to the different configurations that the other auto makers (GMC and especially Ford) offer when looking at custom ordering a vehicle. I think that DC should really look at what the consumer wants. Look at all the configuration options on the FORD F150, F250, and F350 trucks. GMC also has a wide selection of vehicles. I would think that Dodge would have learned a valuable lesson when they cut the 4 door and crew cab truck configurations from the line up many years ago, but I suppose not. It is just my opinion and the opinion of many other Dodge/Cummins truck owners, but DC needs to build a large SUV vehicle on the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton chassis with multiple engine selections, including a diesel, in both vehicle sizes.

DC should also offer a diesel engine in the 1/2 pickups being introduced in 2002. Isn't Dodge's claim to fame "Different"? So be different. I believe that DC would be surprised at how well diesel powered 1/2 ton and SUVs would sell. With the elevated price of fuel, I am glad I bought a diesel truck. The economy, power, and longevity of diesel engine would bring many buyers to the table. My wife does not need a heavy duty ¾ or 1 ton pickup with 4 doors to move the family around, but a ½ ton short bed with a diesel engine would be perfect.

Unfortunately, if DC does not step up to the plate and begin to offer a wider selection of vehicles and configurations, my wife and I will be forced to buy a Ford or GMC 4 door pickup or SUV to meet our needs.





at least I told them what I think... .
 
DC only likes to be 'different' when they are the first to do it... Examples:



--Dakota Quad Cab

--V8-powered Dakota

--Minivan

--First to offer a direct-injected diesel



The list goes on and on... But when was the last time you saw them floow someone else's idea? It just doesn't happen...
 
Years ago I attended the TDR national meet in St. Louis. While there, we were treated to a TON of factory involvement!!. . including a tour of the then-new assembly plant. At that time, the new-body Dakota hadnt been seen by the public yet, but we got to see them and were asked our opinions. I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of one-on-one time with a few DC corporate-types. They announced thier plan to build an SUV!! I was thrilled, until they said it was going to be on the Dakota chassis... why take a smaller piece of the available pie? Everyone was making small SUVs, but only the Suburban in the big-boy class... I asked why not a full-sized one, and they said that they surveyed all of America, and only 3% wanted a big SUV. I told them that I personally knew ALL 3%!!! Every single guy I raced with LOVED the looks of my 95 Ram and my Cummins engine, but they all agreed that they needed an SUV for the family aspect... once again, the American manufacturers drop the ball.
 
With Benz running things, I'm afraid we're likley to see less and less innovation. They've already run off all the guys who thought up the current body style Ram, the PT and the Prowler. These guys are too rigid to come up with anything original. Sorry, but I don't see sunny skies ahead for Mopar. In fact, I'll believe the 4door HD models when I see them.
 
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