Aiming to Ram up sales
Ram Trucks Australia’s record-breaking run of vehicle production looks set to continue with its Melbourne manufacturing facility (MMF) expanding in size and capacity.
With 604 units sold in September, for example – up by 45 per cent on 2021 year to date – the total number of Rams sold to customers since production began was 17,115 by the end of that month.
In terms of total right-hand-drive (RHD) Rams produced for the Australian and New Zealand markets at the end of September, 18,019 vehicles were remanufactured in Melbourne, confirming RAM Trucks Australia’s market leadership when it comes to full-size pick-ups.
To celebrate this milestone, Bob Graczyk, head of Ram International, visited MMF recently to see its significantly expanded production facility, which now boasts three dedicated production lines operating 24 hours per day.
“Australia is a super-important market for us outside of North America and the growth we’ve seen here over the past few years has been phenomenal,” he says. “With the expansion of our plant, this growth will continue. It’s incredible what the team has done at Ram Trucks Australia, Ateco Group and MMF.
“Outside of the US, we sell more full-size pick-up trucks than Ford and GM combined, and Australia representing a market share of more than 70 per cent is a big contributor of that.
“It’s a dedicated group here that loves Ram. It comes through in everything they do in Australia, so we are super-proud of having more than 17,000 people out there driving our trucks.”
Ram Trucks Australia is the world’s only authorised manufacturer of RHD trucks made by the brand. Its relationship with Ram Trucks in the US began back in 2013. All of its vehicles have international specifications, and are uniquely coded for the Australasian market and local-build process.
“I got into a RHD TRX for the first time,” enthuses Graczyk. “The truck that’s coming off the line here in Australia is as good as what’s coming out of our main plant.
“We’re 1,000 per cent supportive of the remanufacturing process here. We work very closely with the team and provide whatever it needs in terms support, CAD data and soon. We have full confidence in the team here to protect our brand and truck.”
The new 16,025 square-metre MMF facility has two dedicated lines for the DS and DT, and a separate line for heavy-duty models all running 24/7 and capable of producing up to 20,000 units per year. It currently makes 10,000 per annum.
With 641 employees, Ram Trucks Australia is now the biggest vehicle manufacturer across the Tasman. With 361 new parts on the DS, 402 on the DT and 465 on heavy-duty models, there are significant local supply-chain benefits for this fast-growing vehicle segment.
The range starts with the Ram 1500 Express Crew and Warlock in the original DS variant, followed by the 1500 Laramie and 1500 Limited in the recently launched DT range, and the Heavy Duty 2500 Laramie and 3500 Laramie. Rounding out the line-up is the all-new Ram TRX, a powerful new halo model for Ram Trucks Australia.
Jeff Barber, national manager of Ram Trucks Australia, says: “We created the full-size pick-up truck segment here and it’s fantastic to see so many of our trucks on the road.
“All Ram Trucks are built fit for purpose and ideally suited to our way of life. We offer powerful and versatile tow vehicles that appeal to those looking for a durable workhorse, a four-wheel-drive off-roader, a premium family touring vehicle, a luxury pick-up, a heavy-duty hauler, and the world’s quickest, fastest and most powerful performance truck.”
