It’s official! The 5000th Ram truck, a Granite Crystal grey 1500 Laramie, has left the production line in Melbourne marking a milestone for the brand’s local operation.
Driven largely by demand for the 1500 model, sales of Ram pick-ups have increased 341.4 per cent compared to this time last year. The larger 2500 and 3500 variants have also bounced in popularity.
In order to meet growing demand, earlier this year, Ram announced the production line would run 24 hours a day, five days a week.
Based in Clayton South, the manufacturing facility offers advanced design and engineering capabilities that enable Ram Trucks to be remanufactured from left-hand to right-hand drive. Incidentally, it’s the same facility HSV uses to convert the Chevrolet Silverado and Camaro.
Executive chairman of the Ateco Group Neville Crichton said: “This year will see Ram sales just shy of 3000 units in Australia and New Zealand – last year we sold 767 and just 449 in 2017.”
“Most pleasing of all, however, is the boost to the local automotive manufacturing sector, employing over 250 people directly, and many more indirectly via our local supplier agreements.”
The process of converting left-hand drive Ram models began in 2013 with more than $100m invested in tools, equipment and stock to enable product development, quality and conformity with the overseas requirements of Ram trucks as well as local ADR regulations.
During the process of remanufacturing to right-hand drive more than 400 locally sourced parts are used.
Currently, Ram Trucks Australia is the world’s only factory-authorised right-hand drive manufacturer of Ram models.
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