$140,000 Ram sold out before they hit the dealers

ShinerBock wrote:

IdaD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Those Rams are going to ruin some folks used to driving around the little toy trucks they have in Australia.

No they do not use them as work vehicles.
We usedto have the whole range of US Pickups but they have disappeated.
Even the F150 was built here up to 1992

A 1992 F150 is a different animal than a current model HD Ram with a Cummins diesel.

Yeah, completely different animal.

I believe the cost of transporting and converting along with the fact that the Australian truck market is so small plays big role as to why you don't see a lot of American full size trucks over there. It is just not worth the American manufacturers time or money to convert these trucks and sale them for such exorbitant prices in such a small market. It is much cheaper to sell a global truck that is already made for right side drive.

If Australia had the steering wheel on the same side as the US, then I bet things would be a bit different since they would be identical to the US versions and they wouldn't have to convert them. Of course many would still prefer those tiny trucks due to cost and fuel economy reasons. Our bigger American trucks would probably be affordable for the middle as well instead of just the upper-middle class like it is now due to the high cost of converting them.

Troll elsewhere.,They died out completely in the early 2000's as any form of work vehicle. They were sold by the OEM's as RHD

IdaD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Those Rams are going to ruin some folks used to driving around the little toy trucks they have in Australia.

No they do not use them as work vehicles.
We usedto have the whole range of US Pickups but they have disappeated.
Even the F150 was built here up to 1992

A 1992 F150 is a different animal than a current model HD Ram with a Cummins diesel.

Yeah, completely different animal.

I believe the cost of transporting and converting along with the fact that the Australian truck market is so small plays big role as to why you don't see a lot of American full size trucks over there. It is just not worth the American manufacturers time or money to convert these trucks and sale them for such exorbitant prices in such a small market. It is much cheaper to sell a global truck that is already made for right side drive.

If Australia had the steering wheel on the same side as the US, then I bet things would be a bit different since they would be identical to the US versions and they wouldn't have to convert them. Of course many would still prefer those tiny trucks due to cost and fuel economy reasons. Our bigger American trucks would probably be affordable for the middle class as well instead of just the upper-middle class like it is now due to the high cost of converting them.

Just saw this. Might not be Chinese takeover of FCA but it appears VW is interested in selling it's Vans and Amarok Pickup with a tie up with FCA
From Wall Street Journal

Volkswagen, Fiat Discussing Joint Production of Light-Utility Vehicles
Cooperation could include jointly building future versions of VW’s Caddy van and Amarok midsize pickup truck
By William Boston
Updated Aug. 24, 2017 11:21 a.m. ET
BERLIN—Volkswagen AG and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV have held talks over joint production of some light-utility vehicles, according to people familiar with the situation.

IdaD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Those Rams are going to ruin some folks used to driving around the little toy trucks they have in Australia.

No they do not use them as work vehicles.
We usedto have the whole range of US Pickups but they have disappeated.
Even the F150 was built here up to 1992

A 1992 F150 is a different animal than a current model HD Ram with a Cummins diesel.

True, but US Pickups died out. Had revival wth the 2001-2006 7.3 diesel F250-F350. Then died out again
What Fiat Product has had more impact than the RAM in Australia? and is sold by the OEM here?

IdaD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Those Rams are going to ruin some folks used to driving around the little toy trucks they have in Australia.

No they do not use them as work vehicles.
We usedto have the whole range of US Pickups but they have disappeated.
Even the F150 was built here up to 1992

A 1992 F150 is a different animal than a current model HD Ram with a Cummins diesel.

The '92 F150 is a completely different animal from any of our trucks built in this century. :B

RobertRyan wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Those Rams are going to ruin some folks used to driving around the little toy trucks they have in Australia.

No they do not use them as work vehicles.
We usedto have the whole range of US Pickups but they have disappeated.
Even the F150 was built here up to 1992

A 1992 F150 is a different animal than a current model HD Ram with a Cummins diesel.

Lessmore wrote:
Interesting article and also...the comments following the article are very interesting. Looks like there are a lot of people (Australian commenters ?) that are expressing a deep interest in these American trucks. Some indicate the exchange rate and extra costs associated with the modifications, etc...do put the cost quite high...but the interest in having an American truck seems quite high in Australia.

I have read over the years, many older road tests of American vehicles, by Australian magazines back in the 1950's/60's . Back then too, there was a lot of interest in American car quality.

At that time, many of the American vehicles were shipped over from Canada for sale in Australia.

In fact I believe many of the heavy duty transport trucks in Australia (road trains, etc.) are essentially American trucks.

I think if shipping costs (long way to ship), having to convert steering for Australia, etc...wasn't so exorbitant sales of US vehicles would be more significant.

As I stated they used to made and assembled in Australia. They were vastly cheaper then . No the demand has died completely , otherwise the OEMs not convertors would be selling them in showrooms.They did not whack on huge prices.
Sorry Lessmore 50'60's was almost 60yrs ago prior to the Asian invasion." US Style" HDT trucks as well as Japanese and European trucks are now the main sellers

RobertRyan wrote:

Try poring the lies out Shiner and troll
Elesewhere

Lies? I posted proof to what is being changed in the conversion. Here, let me post them again.

"The most significant investments in the conversion process included the creation of a bespoke right-hand drive steering box that meant the steering wheel and rack could be swapped without making any changes to engine, transmission or driveline positioning. Another huge part of the engineering program was the creation of a bespoke dashboard by Melbourne based supplier Socobell, which also supplies the dashboard for the Australian-made Toyota Camry and Aurion."

RAM launches at $140K


"The RAM variants are equipped with a newly-manufactured steering box fitted to the outboard side of the right-hand chassis rail, replacing a mirrored (yet otherwise identical) unit fitted to the inboard side of the left-hand rail. The relocation of the 37kg steering box allows the engine’s ancillaries to remain in situ, reducing the need for the re-engineering of parts that include the air-conditioning compressor and hydraulic pump. Only the intercooler and radiator pipes are altered. ASV believes that the more components it can keep in their original location, the better the finished product will be, especially to those charged with maintaining the vehicle in its later life."

RAM conversion done right


So now it is your turn to post proof backing up what you said that they had to "literally rebuild and strengthen" the Ram's compared to the US version or made "updates on what has failed from the US". You keep saying what I post are lies yet you seem to be the only one not backing up your anti-US statements with facts or references.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Mortimer Brewster wrote:
If they are paying $140,000 for a Ram truck, just think how much they would pay for a Ford or Chevy.

Likely MUCH less. :B

A lot less!! Especially Fords!!

Well if they do not use US Pickups anymore
for actual towing what Fiat product is
Perrysburg Dodgeburg?