No Aluminium For The Ram
The use of aluminium in pickup trucks is controversial. Ford will be the first one to use it in the upcoming 2015 F-150, and GM will soon follow suit with its Silverado/Sierra duo. This has started a lot of heated debates about repair costs, since aluminium panels are harder to hammer back into shape after a collision.
According to a report by Reuters, it would seem that Chrysler is not so keen on the whole aluminium idea. Even though a major update is due for 2017, the manufacturer will continue building its Ram out of steel, just like it has for the last century.
- Also: 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie: The Gentleperson Farmer's Limousine
- Also: 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel: A Big, Efficient Winner For Pickup Fans
This is a risky strategy, but it could pay off: First of all, a lot of commercial vehicle buyers are less than enthusiastic about the switch to aluminium, and they could buy more Rams if it becomes the last steel truck on the market. And secondly, the brand will save a lot of money, since they won't have to modernize their whole assembly plant to process the lightweight material.
The next complete makeover for the Ram 1500 won't happen until 2021, giving the engineers ample time to find new and innovative ways to save fuel, since the competition will become lighter and lighter in the coming years!
