2018 RAM 1500 set for mid-year Australian launch

A FULL-SIZE American pick-up will storm onto the booming Australian ute market midway through the year, with the Ateco Group announcing the arrival of the 2018 RAM 1500.

The 1500 is powered by a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine good for 295kW and 552Nm. It’s mated to an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission that’s standard on all RAM 1500 models.

In the competitive ute market, the 1500 will offer plenty of muscle and pulling power, as well as a spacey cabin, plenty of cargo space, and a tub length nearly two metres long.

“We are not just providing vehicles designed to tow big loads across our big country – up to 6.9 tonnes, in fact – but we’re also employing top engineers, designers and automotive technicians, as well as local component companies to work with us,” said Alex Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of RAM Trucks Australia. “This is something of which we are extremely proud, almost as proud as we are of the expanded range of RAM Trucks that we’ll be selling across Australia and New Zealand!”

The 1500 will join RAM’s 2500 and 3500 which launched here in 2015, and both have enjoyed steady sales growth since – in fact, sales increased by 36 per cent in 2017 compared to 2016 according to VFACTS.

“The RAM 2500, 3500 and, from the middle of this year, the 2018 RAM 1500, are remanufactured in Australia by Australians to meet Australian market demands,” Stewart added.

What this means is the US-built 1500 arrives on our shores as a LHD vehicle, but leaves the showroom floor officially classed as a remanufactured RHD vehicle – not a conversion.

At a purpose-built facility in Melbourne the chassis and body of all new arrivals are separated, before a re-engineered RHD-specific steering system is fitted. An Australian designed and developed dashboard is then installed, as well as a RHD heating and ventilation system. The body and chassis is then remarried.

The 1500 will be offered with a comprehensive three-year/100,000km warranty.

Keep an eye on 4x4australia.com.au for full details, pricing and specifications when they come to hand.