Truck Debates - Why does it seem to be mostly Ford vs. Ram?

[otrfun]

With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

GM trucks against ford trucks, have switched over the lead back and fourth, over the last 10years. As we stand now in a 10 year average they are tied on top.

[Stefonius]

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

From what I've seen, Chevy/GMC (which sell the same truck) are actually in the #1 position. Ford has been #2 for years. They only claim to be #1 by separating Chevy from GMC.

[otrfun]

Oops, double post 😞

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Baseball....... applepie......... Chevrolet!!!!!! sorry in my blood !!! packers,???? or bears????? To each their own right ??!!

[otrfun]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

Wait,

what?

Based on some of the comments on this board lately I was led to believe Dodge/RAM/Chrysler/Cerebus/Plymouth/Daimler/Fiat/Somethingoranother out sold Ford, and GM combined.

This post kind of makes the OP's post look silly, one of GM's fan boys that just can't help but stir the pot anytime something is posted about Ram. Sorry OP there are planty of GM fan boys on here that post negative things about Ford, Ram and the rest.

Don

GM fanboy!? Read my last post, Perrysburg Dodgeboy. Now, who looks silly? No need to answer--it's obvious.

[otrfun]

mich800 wrote:
There is pretty much equal debate on all brands against each other in this forum. If you are seeing more with a specific brand it probably is just observation bias.

You could be right. Until someone makes a definitive count who knows.

However, I believe I notice more Ford vs. Ram comparisons for three reasons:

1. Ford is the top sales leader, and as such they're the benchmark--the one to beat, period. Ford, by the sheer fact it's number one in sales, and has been for many decades, has the upper hand when it comes to perception of innovation and quality.

2. Ram at the current time certainly gives the perception it's leading the light-duty marketplace with innovation and quality through a number of class-leading numbers, back-to-back Motor Trend Truck of the Year awards--not to mention the recent introduction of the only 1/2 ton diesel truck. Both sales and market-share have increased significantly as a result.

3. Chevy sales remain solidly in 2nd place (in some segsments 1st when combined with GMC), but in recent months have lost some marketshare to Ram. IMO, this loss is due primarily to the lackluster response to the perceived lack of innovation in the new 2014 Silverado/Sierra--their top selling truck.

So, if one is debating today's current crop of new trucks, IMO it certainly helps to have plenty of ammunition (aka, positive perception) to fuel a winning debate.

Or from another perspective, if you're a truck salesman at a Chevy dealer, and you put any creedence in the effects of losing marketshare, you probably realize you've got a little tougher job on your hands then a Ford or Ram salesperson, at least for the time being.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Engineer9860 wrote:

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

Wait,

what?

Based on some of the comments on this board lately I was led to believe Dodge/RAM/Chrysler/Cerebus/Plymouth/Daimler/Fiat/Somethingoranother out sold Ford, and GM combined.

This post kind of makes the OP's post look silly, one of GM's fan boys that just can't help but stir the pot anytime something is posted about Ram. Sorry OP there are planty of GM fan boys on here that post negative things about Ford, Ram and the rest.

Don

[Hannibal]

Because way back in '83, Ford turned their nose up at Cummins because the truck would have to be modified two inches to fit the Cummins under the hood, and the Cummins was ornery and noisy, so Ford in their infinite wisdom decided to go with IH/Navistar for their quieter V8 brute that fit into the truck by modifying the engine, not the truck.
Chrysler accepted Cummins proposal and extended the nose of the truck 2" to accommodate the much coveted B 5.9 engine. The mods continued to the truck over the years to accommodate the engine, not the other way around.
Witness what happened next! Imagine if Ford had accepted Cummins' proposal. That frustration bleeds out on internet forums almost daily. :B

[mich800]

There is pretty much equal debate on all brands against each other in this forum. If you are seeing more with a specific brand it probably is just observation bias.

[otrfun]

Bedlam wrote:
Opinion: The top seller will always be targeted by those with lesser sales. The one with lowest sales will be the the most aggressive attacker because they have nothing to lose. The one in the middle will sit back and let the others fight because their name is not smeared or vehicle is attacked . . .

Ram being in the lowest sales position relative to the other members of the Big 3 puts them in the position of aggressor with nothing to lose?

I agree with the aggressor label, but, wow, I completely disagree with the statement Ram has "nothing to lose"!

Lately RAM has been gaining significant market share because of massively increased R&D spending--resulting in class leading numbers in nearly all light-truck categories. It also cost Ram a considerable amount of R&D money to bring their 1/2 ton diesel truck to market. This kind of R&D takes HUGE, HUGE amounts of money! Being 3rd in overall truck sales puts them in the WORST financial position to increase R&D spending vs. Ford & Chevy. Nothing to lose? I disagree.

[rhagfo]

I think part of it goes back the the King of the Hill, back in 2011 or so when the Ram was left out because it's GCVWR and Tow rating were about 2,000# below GM and Ford. I think some body at RAM got more than a little miffed at that!
Then come the 2013 Ram 3500 that blows the socks off the Tow ratings, to the point that Ford needed to put their F450 in a match to the Ram 3500. I am sure GM will come back with some bigger numbers soon and all will need to up their game.
It needs to come to a point where there is a limit, or we will have 350/3500's pulling 60,000#.

[Bedlam]

Opinion: The top seller will always be targeted by those with lesser sales. The one with lowest sales will be the the most aggressive attacker because they have nothing to lose. The one in the middle will sit back and let the others fight because their name is not smeared or vehicle is attacked.

Fact: All the companies have had problems in the past. Public disclosure through forums and other media may have temporarily hurt them but in the end created better vehicles the next go around for everyone.

[Engineer9860]

otrfun wrote:
With Ford being the top-dog and a big target, it's easy to see why folks pick on Ford. However, Chevy/GMC sales are a relatively close 2nd. Ram sales are 3rd. Even so, after months of reading threads here, and in other forums, I get the impression that Chevy/GMC trucks tend not to get caught up in these Big 3 truck debates nearly as much as Ford and Ram.

True? Or, is my impression skewed.

Wait,

what?

Based on some of the comments on this board lately I was led to believe Dodge/RAM/Chrysler/Cerebus/Plymouth/Daimler/Fiat/Somethingoranother out sold Ford, and GM combined.

[Dog_Folks]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Every truck maker wants to be the top seller. For Ram to compare itself to the number 2 truck seller would be conceding they are not the best. Not a winning marketing stradegy.

99% of the time you are absolutely, positively correct.

There is always an exception.

Remember Avis rent a car? "We are number two, so we try harder?"

[cummins2014]

I think this debate should be obvious , Dodge, or Ram if you will has never been in the spotlight, always #3, now the owners of the Fiat THINK they could possibly have something to compare to the Ford, the #1 truck, and now you have it, wishful thinking on the part of the fiat owners THINKING they might have something to debate about.