Chrysler hopes to increase truck sales with new model
Chrysler LLC on Friday launched its redesigned Dodge Ram full-size pickup truck, a vehicle that is expected to help the automaker ride out a deep downturn in the U.S. auto market.
The 2009 model-year truck, which will go up against market leading models from larger rivals Ford Motor Co and General Motors Corp, comes as U.S. truck sales are falling and the overall vehicle demand is at 15-year lows.
Still, Chrysler executives hope the new model -- which boasts of more storage space and has improved fuel economy -- will boost its share of the U.S. truck market.
Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press told reporters he "anticipates sales growth" with the new model.
"We really feel the timing is good," Press said. "It's a huge market. There is pent-up demand."
Press said that even though truck sales have fallen in recent months, more than 160,000 pickup trucks are sold every month in the U.S. market. Chrysler aims to take more of that market.
A slumping U.S. economy and high gas prices have prompted consumers to shift toward more fuel-efficient smaller cars and crossovers and away from large trucks and SUVs.
Sales of pickup trucks dropped about 19 percent through August, outpacing the 11 percent decline in the overall vehicle market, according to Auto data Corp.
The new Ram truck base model starts from $22,170, but the price could increase to over $40,000 for more advanced models and additional features.
Press said there would be minimal incentives on the new truck.
Chrysler, long lauded for cramming more storage space into its top-selling minivans, used the same concept in the Ram.
The new Ram, aimed at work crews who need to lock up their tools and other equipment, features weatherproof and lockable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides.
Views:0
- Chrysler Recalls 1.2 Million Dodge Ram Trucks 2013-11-12
- Chrysler to sell natural gas-powered truck 2012-03-09
- Chrysler starts to sell CNG trucks 2012-01-13
- Chrysler fully commits to light-, medium-duty for 2010 2010-01-13
- China's Auto Sales Eclipse Flat US Market In November 2009-12-02
- Chrysler creates Dodge Ram brand for trucks 2009-10-09
- Nissan still hoping to link with Chrysler on pickups 2009-08-18
- Fiat Posts 2Q Net Loss, Confirms 2009 Targets 2009-07-23
- Chrysler Ceases Talks with Great Wall Motor 2009-03-30
- Great Wall Breaks Off Talks with Chrysler 2009-03-17
Submit Your Requirements, We Are Always At Your Service.
- BYD Stopped the Production of Fuel Vehicles
- Geely Began Test Runs of Green E-methanol Vehicles in Danmark
- 2022 SANY Global Dealer Summit Was Held Successfully Online
- BYD and Shell Partner on EV Charging across China and Europe
- Daimler Truck Significantly Increase Sales, Revenue and Net Profit in 2021
- Scania Year-end Report January-December 2021
- Hyundai Motor and Iveco Group Sign MOU to Explore Future Collaboration
- GAUSSIN Enters China, the Largest Truck Market in the World
- Over 1,200 Hydrogen-powered Vehicles Deployed for the Beijing Winter Olympics
- Chinese New Year Holiday Closure Notice
- China's Truck Exports Grew by 30% YOY to 63490 Units in January-February
- China's New Energy Heavy Trucks Grew Despite an Overall Slump
- Heavy-duty Truck sales in China Fell by 54% to 54,000 units in February
- SINOTRUK Achieves Sales of 27,725 Vehicles in January, 2022
- China’s Domestic Tractor Sales Exceed 40,000 Units in January
- 2021 JAC International Pickup Export Performance
- JAC Achieved a Great Result in 2021
- China's Truck Export in 2021 Reached a 10-year Peak
- Heavy-duty Truck Sales in China Fall 57 Percent on Year in January
- China Recorded Sales of 645000 Tractors in 2021