Ram at the moment converts vehicles to right-hand drive as soon as they arrive in Australia, however might look to simplify the method sooner or later
by Sebastien Bell
4 hours in the past
by Sebastien Bell
Ram Vehicles Australia has been promoting left-hand drive pickup vehicles in Australia since 2016. Nevertheless, Stellantis, the father or mother firm of Ram, is exploring choices to spice up its gross sales, which incorporates the potential manufacturing of factory-built right-hand-drive vehicles for future generations. This transfer would exchange the present apply of transport left-hand drive fashions and changing them to right-hand drive on the Walkinshaw Automotive Group facility situated in Melbourne, Australia.
Ram’s curiosity in exploring the opportunity of factory-built right-hand-drive manufacturing is fueled by the model’s rising reputation in Australia and the corporate’s want to increase its world attain. Nevertheless, it needs to be famous that this potential shift continues to be unsure and should not occur till the top of the last decade, as emphasised by Mike Koval, the worldwide head of Ram.
“Nothing has been confirmed,” Koval instructed Australia’s Drive just lately. “However in case you have been in my sneakers and I take into consideration the… rising the model globally… I would like to have the ability to promote all over the place. That’s simply an sincere assertion.”
Learn: RAM Expands Australian Facility To Convert 20,000 Vehicles Yearly
The automaker at the moment sells 5 trim ranges of the Ram 1500 within the nation, together with the TRX, in addition to the 2500 and 3500. Pricing for the vehicles begin at $98,950 AUD ($66,088 USD at present trade charges), whereas costs for the uber highly effective Ram 1500 TRX begin at $219,950 AUD ($146,904 USD), reviews carexpert.com.au.
Regardless of the excessive MSRPs, Ram Vehicles Australia has been a hit since being launched in 2016. Final 12 months, the model bought greater than 6,000 vehicles. By comparability, simply 2,400 Chevrolet Silverados have been bought in the identical interval.
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That was sufficient to justify the enlargement of its conversion facility, which was upgraded to have the ability to convert 20,000 autos per 12 months since October. For now, although, that’s not fairly sufficient to warrant an funding in manufacturing facility right-hand drive manufacturing.
“That’s what we’re finding out proper now, to be sincere. And doubtless not. It may not [work],” mentioned Koval. “These are simply concepts, whiteboard-type issues. Clearly if we have been to do right-hand-drive from the manufacturing facility – which I can’t do immediately – which may change sure issues after all.”
