Posted on 03/22/2014 8:24:03 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
DETROIT -- The side-view mirror of a Chevrolet Silverado contains this warning: "Objects may be closer than they appear."
The warning could be talking about the Ram.
The Silverado, the longtime No. 2 in pickup sales, still has a substantial lead on No. 3 Ram. But the Ram is gaining.
In the last seven months, after the redesigned Silverado arrived last summer, Ram sales were at 208,414, while the Silverado was at 261,258 -- still a sizable gap of 52,844 units.
But consider: In the same period a year earlier, the gap between the two was 97,199 units.
In the U.S. pickup market, dominated by loyal shoppers who rarely switch brands, it would be shocking if the Ram passed the Silverado. But the fact that the Ram is gaining ground is noteworthy.
"Never before has [General Motors] lost share after launching a new pickup truck platform," Barclay's analyst Brian Johnson noted last month.
From Jan. 1, 2013, through Feb. 26, the Silverado and GMC Sierra have lost 3.29 percentage points of market share in the large pickup market. In that time Ford has picked up 1.86 percentage points and Ram 1.8 percentage points of market share, Johnson wrote in late February. Johnson's market share calculation includes only the Detroit 3.
And the Ram seems to have momentum. In February, Ram started offering a diesel in the light-duty pickup, and dealer orders for the diesel have been strong.
It's the only diesel available in U.S. light-duty pickups and is rated at 28 mpg on the highway. The highest-rated Silverado light-duty is rated at 24 mpg on the highway.
GM spokesman Jim Cain said sales of well equipped high-end Silverados are fine. But there is some potential weakness in lower-end trims and V-6 models, he said.
That's why Chevrolet launched what he called an "unprecedented promotional assault," declaring a Truck Month promotion in March and increasing incentives and marketing.
The Silverado, with more than $7,500 in discounts and incentives, depending on the model, will be featured on advertising during the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Ram also is conducting a Truck Month campaign in March for its pickup.
FORD: First On Race Day.
They might resell the Ranger. I read that Ford might. The new Ranger is as big as a F 150, so Ford thought it wouldn’t be good seller.
It might be built in Kansas City or Louisville.
Actually, I love Fords. I have a fully restored 1930 Model AA 1.5 ton truck and a 1976 F250 4x4 that is pretty decent.
My dad was friends with the local Ford dealer growing up. At 16, I bought a Pinto (underrated car IMHO). Now I have a 73 Country Squire, a F 250, and a Excursion. Looking at the new Transit 15 passenger van.
The squared-off wheel wells on the Chevy just look dumb, imho.
That must be it, the fenders are the biggest design point with a truck. Ford made it look good back in the old days, and chebby f’ed it up.
Ahhh..... a fender man
How about women? Boobs, legs, butt?
“I owned three Dodge Rams....every one of them trashed the transmission at 100K miles or below”
Dodge gives a 5 year 100,000 warrantee on their drive trains, so that shouldn’t be a problem for you.
I’ve owned a few Dodge Ram 1500s and all have been great trucks. The Ford owners I have known have all had major problems during that time. The only GMC Sierra I had was OK but the rear windows leaked air badly and made a racket.
My take is that Dodge makes a better product. I have a 2012 Longhorn right now. love it.
” annual state license surcharge based on weight to discourage their commuter use.”
My trucks weights about the same a 4 door sedan. Only a communists plays class warfare thinking trucks are expensive and “no one needs a truck to commute”. If anything, my trucks does less damage to the road than your car because my trucks tires spread the load on the road better and your dinky little car doesn’t.
They didn’t when I had them.
I didn’t say I approved. I’ve got a pickup myself. Geez, my wife has draft horses in IOWA.
I’m just surprised that class warfare hasn’t included attacks on trucks. Maybe because GM and Chrysler wouldn’t survive without selling huge numbers of full-size pickups?
BTW, a Camry weighs in at around 3500 lbs. while a new basic pickup will be 5500 lbs. plus.
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