Medium Duty Rams

[cwcox]

Just got some new info late last week at the Freightliner dealer I work for. Our Sprinter group has just been informed that for model year 2007 there were going to be some significant changes, such as:

Sprinter vans may be replaced by the next generation model or a seriously refreshed version.

Freightliner may no longer have access to Sprinter as it may go to the new "Dodge Commercial Stores".

Selected Freightliner dealers may have the opportunity to add the Dodge Commercial franchise to their existing Freightliner/Sprinter stores.

Real hush hush on what the next version(s) of the Sprinter are going to be.

Quite a bit of info offered in regards to the new Dodge Medium Duty units, engine choices to likely include the MB900 and a new larger Cummins(!), and a possible gas V8 as options (I would guess they would use the new 6. 1 Hemi). Transmissions to include an as yet unnamed automatic, MB's automated manual, and several standard manual gearboxes. Design and engineering exclusively done by Dodge with assist from Sterling/Freightliner engineers (Some of the best damn engineers in the biz by the way!)

Still in question is whether Freightliner gets a version of the Dodge to replace the retired M2-100, and a smaller version to enter the 4500/5500 market, or just get the Dodge Commercial franchise as a whole. The definite info is that this will be a done deal for model year 2007. Our dealer principle is already undertaking some advance prep work with the franchise folks at DCS.

This definitely adds some credibilty to the info that has been leaking out about the new big Dodges. Can't wait!

 

[EricBu12]

yipee!!



By the time they get established, maybe like 5-10 years, I might get one to replace my toyhauler-hauler! my 01... 2500 is 5 yrs old now so will be ready then... .

 

[Marco]

Body style DH.

Body Style : DH

Model Year : 2005

Product Line : Ram Truck 4500/5500



That comes from the official DC Body Style list.



Marco

 

[FATCAT]

Body Style : DH

Model Year : 2005

Product Line : Ram Truck 4500/5500



That comes from the official DC Body Style list.



Marco

There appears to be something missing hear "Model Year: 2005"????

So where they Heck are these 4500/5500 trucks?



Stop jerking us around!!! Some of us are EXTREEMLY DESPERATE for these (5500 in my case).

 

[cwcox]

No Jerkin' here! Dodge has had these trucks planned, OK'd, and then jerked off the table since the "new" Ram was introduced in '94. I actually got to see some of the "pre" advertising stuff some dealers got, and I talked to one of the Chrysler tech trainers who had been shown the new 4500/5500. Sadly, the project got canned, but this is not likely going to be the case this time.

This is the first time I am aware of that the Dodge dealers have been told to definitely add on to their facilities or to secure additional properties. And I am VERY sure that this is the first time that the Freightliner/Sprinter franchises have been clued in as to what the Dodge Commercial line will be like.

As always, nothing is certain until it's in your hand, but a lot of preparation has been made and it seems unlikely the folks at DCX would be interested in wasting any money on rumors! Plus, let's look at the realities here. If Dodge does not enter the commercial segment, they really are not going to be viewed as a serious contender in work truck market. Regardless of what is under the hood. Seriously- if every single contractor and municipal vehicle you ever see is Ford, why would you ever consider another make? That being the case, then who would Dodge's competition be for the light/heavy pickup only market? Toyota and Nissan. Yeah, we laugh now, but both of these companies have serious industrial and heavy commercial divisions with all the technology needed to make serious 3/4 and 1 ton trucks if they choose to do so. Their quality control is very good, so at best, Dodge could just split the pickup only market with Ford, Chevy/GMC, Toyota, and Nissan. Do the math- divide the total possible number of light duty pickups sold by 6 and you get some dismal sales figures. Ford maintains it's market share for one good reason. It's certainly not their quality or their price- both are about average. They do it by filling every possible market segment they can. Ford trucks are available with an unbelievable number of options, configurations, models, etc. People who need a truck for work use buy a truck that will best fit their need. Ford fills more needs, Ford sells more trucks. Some half serious truck buyer wants a new pickup, end 3 out of 5 grilles have a blue oval on them- what truck do you think he'll be looking at first? HEY DODGE- YOU ARE READING THIS, RIGHT?

Dodge has reached a point where they have no other option. At one time they were happy at number three, selling a handful of trucks. But today, there is a lot more competition, and they are better than they ever were. So if you want to maintain sales figures that actually equate to a profit worthy of the shareholders, you do what is needed to maintain an impressively strong command of the market. Bold new Ram design in 94 and again in 2003, Cummins engine option, horsepower and torque upgrades every year, The V10 and Hemi engines, Quad cabs and now Mega Cabs! Dodge knows, and they are acting on it. The difference now, for better or worse, is with our new alliance of partners through the merger has given us a ton of serious engineering and parts sources through Freightliner, Sterling, Sprinter, Detroit Diesel, and yes, even Mercedes. Dodge now has the backup to take on Ford. And over the last few years, they have done a kick butt job of it!

 

[jlasich]

Great posts cwcox. I'm very excited to get more info on the 4500/5500 series, particularly if they will keep them looking like the Ram truck like Ford does or go with completely different styling, like GM. A choice between two different diesel engines would be great and something that Ford doesn't offer. '06 - '07 will be very exciting indeed.