Automotive Trends

For 2019 Ram rolls out is first fully redesigned pickup truck since the brand became independent of Dodge in 2010. The oldest of the domestic full-size trucks, the Ram held its own against continually redesigned competition from Ford and General Motors with differentiating features such as the Ram Box, 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel, the highly marketable iron block Hemi, and big-rig styling. The 2019 Ram diverges from this formula by incorporating the fenders back under the hood. In fact, one can’t help but notice the alarming similarity between the big Ram’s styling and the resurrected 2019 Ford Ranger. Nevertheless, big RAM letters across the new grille make it hard to mistake the truck’s brand identity. The truck grows bigger in the cab with a remarkably flat floor in the rear cabin. The 3.6L Pentastar is the base engine and the 5.7L Hemi returns, but both now utilize a hybrid system dubbed eTorque that is standard on the V6 and optional with the Hemi V8. The 48 volt mild-hybrid  system adds a supplemental 130 lb.-ft. of torque to the 395 hp / 410 lb.-ft. Hemi V8 and 90 lb-ft to the smaller six. Expect improved fuel economy as a result. The Ram also differentiates itself with an available air suspension that automatically lowers the vehicle at highway speeds. Available LED headlights further update the look of the new Ram. Is the new Ram ready to defend the market share it has managed to scrape away from the competition? With all new competition from GM and an updated F-150 and new Ranger from Ford the options in the truck market have never been more competitive.

Ford has been without a compact truck since the long-running Ranger left the US market at the end of 2012. The little truck had been built on the same basic chassis since its 1983 model year introduction. Once a Ford best seller with more than 300,000 sales each year between 1998 and 2000, sales dwindled to less than 60k in 2010. Famously, the last Ranger off the assembly line was a fleet truck sold to Orkin exterminators. Ford hasn’t had much reason to reintroduce the beloved compact truck with the successful F-150 continuing to top the sales charts. With the Toyota Tacoma and GM Colorado/Canyon cousins earning healthy sales, Ford has decided to defend its pick-up truck turf with the 2019 Ranger. Fully updated for the needs of the current market, the Ranger offers s 2.3L EcoBoost 4 cylinder paired to a 10-speed automatic. The new Ranger is offered in SuperCrew quad cab configuration – something it never offered previously in the United States. A SuperCab (extended cab) will also be offered. There will be a myriad of trim offerings including XL, XL Chrome, STX, XLT, XLT Chrome, XLT Sport, Lariat, Lariat Chrome, and Lariat Sport. Pricing is unknown at this point, and there is no official announcement about a Raptor version, but we can say it is nice to see the Ranger nameplate offered to US buyers once again and bring on that mini Raptor!