Ateco Group has confirmed the 2018 Ram 1500 will be launched in Australia towards the middle of the year. Pricing is expected to be sharp allowing the American pickup to compete against high-end utes such as the Colorado SportsCat, Ranger Raptor, Amarok V6 and X-Class.
It should be noted, the Ram 1500 coming to Australia is the current generation, the recently revealed 2019 model is off the table for now. This should be a factor that keeps the price competitive.
If indeed the Ram finds itself competing against upmarket mainstream utes, it will be the only model packing eight-cylinders, a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 will be standard on all variants. Ram says this will allow them to deliver best-in-class towing, power cab size and cargo space.
Cab size and cargo space are impressive with a tub length measuring nearly two meters long with options including a RamBox Cargo Management System.
All Ram 1500s will arrive Down Under as a left-hand drive vehicle before being remanufactured to right-hand drive at a purpose-built factory in Melbourne.
Involved in the process is the chassis and body being separated before a right-hand drive specific steering system is fitted alongside a new dashboard and heating and ventilation system. The body and chassis are then put back together.
Work involved in getting the Ram 1500 converted to right-hand drive is so substantial that production line levels of quality, fit and finish, as well as engineering excellence means the car is officially classed as a remanufactured vehicle as opposed to a conversion.
The Ram 1500 will be backed by a three year/100,000 kilometre warranty.
Full Australian specifications and pricing for the 2018 Ram 1500 range will be revealed closer to the launch date towards the middle of the year. Stay tuned!
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