RAM Australia will ramp up to 24 hour production to meet demand

Such is the Aussie demand for the RAM 1500 that the Clayton-based remanufacturing facility has announced its intention to ramp-up the production line to 24 hours a day, five days a week.

From June 1, the RAM trucks Melbourne Manufacturing Facility – which also houses HSV’s Camaro production on an adjacent line – will start to manufacture trucks around the clock to keep in up with growing demand.

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The 130-metre long factory line hosts 21 vehicles which are worked on simultaneously, with each car taking 24 hours to run the length of the production line – which is in stark contrast of the three days it took when RAM remanufacturing first started in Australia.

The Australian-delivered version of the American ute uses up to 400 different components, a majority of which are manufactured here.

In addition to aiding those Australian component manufacturers, RAM Trucks Australia will also increase its workforce from 110 to 160 workers with the move from two to three round-the-clock shifts.

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“This is not just great news for RAM, it is also a fantastic achievement for the Australian Automotive industry and shows the world our automotive and engineering industry is open for business,” said Alex Stewart, the general manager of RAM Trucks Australia.

“The entire RAM Trucks project was set up, engineered, designed and developed in Australia by Australian experts, it shows what this country is capable of and how we can produce a world class product.

“In short, it is clearly something of which everyone involved should be extremely proud and which, in the form of the RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500, has provided Australians with a new and unique choice when it comes to vehicle buying.”

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The RAM 1500 is powered by a 291kW HEMI V8 engine and can haul 4.5 tonnes thanks to its 556Nm of torque.

Priced from $79,950, the RAM 1500 Express has provided a new towing benchmark where regular dual-cab utes like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Holden Colorado will only pull 3.5 tonnes.