Ram pick-ups pass sales milestone in Australia

Ram Trucks Australia has celebrated its 30,000th factory-backed pick-up converted to right-hand drive.

The 30,000th Ram pick-up to be converted from left- to right-hand drive - with the backing of Ram head office in the US - has rolled off the production line in Melbourne.

Ram vehicles arrive from the US in left-hand drive before they are 'remanufactured' by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group - the engineering firm formerly behind Holden Special Vehicles - for sale in Australia.

The US pick-up specialist tripled its production capacity 18 months ago, when it took over the factory floor space used for local conversions of the rival Chevrolet Silverado to right-hand drive.

Jeff Barber, general manager of Ram Trucks Australia, said in a media statement: "30,000 vehicles is a significant carpark in anyone's books - that its come about in a segment that didn't exist a few years ago is testament to the hard work of everyone involved."

The brand has announced a finance offer for the base-model Ram 1500 Big Horn, with a no-deposit 4.99 per cent finance offer on examples sold and delivered between 1 May and 30 June 2024.

Ram's Australian website shows available stock of the DT-series 1500 Laramie Sport and Limited, soon-to-be-discontinued DS-series 1500 Express, and the latest 2500 and 3500 Laramie heavy-duty models.

These models are joined in its line-up by the entry-level 1500 Big Horn, better-equipped 1500 Laramie, and the last batch of 1500 TRX supercharged V8s, including 130 Final Editions.

Sales of factory-backed Ram pick-ups in Australia have continued to grow since the first was remanufactured to right-hand drive in 2014 - and the company's success has created a booming segment of the market now occupied by Ford, Toyota and Chevrolet.

Ram Trucks Australia reported a record 6833 deliveries in 2023 - an 11.1 per cent increase year on year - with the Ram 1500 range its top seller, recording 5922 sales.

Deliveries of Ram pick-ups are down 37 per cent over the first three months of 2024 - with 1040 sales, compared to 1637 this time last year - amid the arrival of newer competitors, including the Ford F-150.

Ford has reported 616 deliveries of the F-150 so far this year, 270 sales behind the top-selling Ram 1500.

Toyota is due to join the growing US pick-up market in Australia with the Tundra, currently undergoing a real-world trial with 300 customers before - if the pilot program is successful - production ramps up and it joins the regular Toyota showroom line-up in 2025.

Ram Australia operates 73 dealerships across Australia and New Zealand. The remanufacturing facility in Victoria has two production lines, and is operated by over 400 people, with the ability to produce 50 Ram utes per day.

For full terms and conditions of the end of financial year offer, visit the Ram Australia website here. If you're looking to purchase a Ram ute, Drive has a range of new, demonstrator and used Ram utes available through our marketplace.

Currently based in Melbourne, Jade has been within the Automotive Industry for over four years. She has previously worked in automotive marketing and content creation roles before taking the leap into Journalism. Her favourite types of cars are large 4x4s and one day wants to complete a lap around Australia.