Favourable September sales results and the expansion of its production facility in Melbourne is expected to see RAM Trucks Australia continue its leadership in the full-size pick-up truck category.
In September the brand sold 604 units, an increase of 45 per cent on 2021 year-to-date, with the total number of RAMs sold to customers since production began now at 17,115 (before October ’22).
To celebrate this milestone, Bob Graczyk, Head of RAM International, visited Melbourne recently to see the significantly expanded production facility which now boasts three dedicated production lines running 24-hours per day.
“Australia is a super important market for us outside of North America, and the growth that we’ve seen here over the last few years has been phenomenal,” said Grazyk.
“With the expansion of our plant this growth will continue. It’s incredible what the team has done at RAM Trucks Australia, Ateco Group and MMF. Outside of the US, we sell more full-size pick-up trucks than Ford and GM combined, and Australia representing a market share of more than 70 per cent, is a big contributor of that,” he said.
“It’s a dedicated group here that love RAM and it comes through in everything they do in Australia, so we are super proud of having more than 17,000 people out there driving our trucks.”
With the Melbourne Manufacturing Facility (MMF) of Ram Trucks Australia having expanded its size and capacity recently, the new 16,025m2 site now has two dedicated lines for its RAM 1500 Express Crew and Warlock models in the original DS variant and 1500 Laramie and 1500 Limited in the recently launched DT model range.
A separate line is dedicated for heavy duty models.
All lines are capable of producing up to 20,000 vehicles per year.
MMF currently produces 10,000 vehicles per annum.
With 641 employees, RAM Trucks Australia is now considered the biggest vehicle manufacturer in Australia.
In terms of total right-hand drive RAM trucks produced for the Australian and New Zealand markets at the end of September 2022, 18,019 vehicles have been remanufactured at MMF.
With 361 new parts on the DS, 402 on the DT and 465 on the heavy-duty models, there are significant local supply chain benefits of this fast-growing vehicle segment according to Ateco Group, the brand’s local distributor.
RAM Trucks Australia is the world’s only RAM-authorised manufacturer of right-hand drive RAM trucks.
The relationship with RAM Trucks in the USA dates back to 2013.
All RAM Trucks Australia vehicles are international-spec vehicles, uniquely coded for the Australian market and the local build process.
“I was in our Sterling Heights, US, plant a few weeks ago and yesterday I got into a right-hand drive RAM TRX for the first time – the truck that is coming off the line here in Australia is as good as what’s coming out of our main plant,” said Mr Graczyk.
“So, we’re 1000% supportive of the remanufacturing process here – we work very closely with the team and provide whatever they need in terms support, CAD data etc – and have full confidence in the team here to protect our brand, and to protect our truck.”
RAM Trucks Australia created the full-size pick-up truck segment in Australia, according to Jeff Barber, National Manager, RAM Trucks Australia, who is pleased to see so many RAM trucks on local roads.
“All RAM Trucks are built fit-for-purpose and ideally suited to the Australian way of life,” he said.
“We offer powerful and versatile tow vehicles that appeal to those looking for a durable workhorse, a 4WD off-roader, a premium family touring vehicle, a luxury pickup, a heavy duty hauler, and the world’s quickest, fastest and most powerful performance truck. Ram Trucks Australia has it all.”