RAM 1500 Aussie chances dive

The prospect of a US factory-built, right-hand drive version of the new 2019 RAM 1500 full-size pick-up truck turning up in Australia any time soon appear bleak.

After admitting a plan to build the new RAM 1500 for Australia was under study at the Detroit auto show in January, RAM global boss Mike Manley was notably more downbeat at last week's Geneva auto show.

"To be honest, not really," Manley admitted when asked if the study had made progress since Detroit.

"What we are really trying to assess is the longevity of trying to create right-hand drive for the market.

"There is no doubt there is demand in Australia. They love the truck and they love the brand, which is something that keeps us interested, so all I can tell you is the market continues to help us push it and we will see."

A huge challenge in developing a business case for a right-hand drive RAM is justifying the extra cost of RHD production, when Australian demand would be a few thousand examples per annum, topped off with a little bit of interest from a couple of other RHD countries.

All up, across the light-duty 1500 and the heavy duty 2500 and 3500 models, more than 500,000 RAM pick-ups were sold in North America in 2017.

"We have a little bit of volume in South Africa, but outside of that it's really Australia and we know you guys you love that type of power and that size the same as the guys in the States," Manley confirmed.

RAM is a subsidiary of Fiat Chrsyler Automobiles and its Australian outpost has been hammering away at global HQ for years, convinced an ex-factory RAM 1500 could be priced competitively and sell well against the top-end of the one-tonne pick-up market led by the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

But Manley said local RHD conversion by companies such as American Special Vehicles (ASV) would continue to be the only way Australians could access RAM models.

"For the immediate future, I think that is how it's going to happen."

The sting there is that in automotive terms "immediate future" means years not months.

"Unfortunately, with product plans they are usually on cycles of years, yes," Manley said.

Just as Ford's top-selling F Series is imported and converted by a number of local companies, ASV currently produces RHD RAM 2500 and 3500 models at its Melbourne plant and is expected to announce plans this year to add the MY19 RAM 1500 to its line-up.

The superseded RAM 1500 continues in production in North America alongside the more expensive new MY19, which won't be available to ASV for some time.

While there had been reports that the RAM 1500 Rebel was coming to Australia, that model has ceased production. However, 'RAM Express' has been trademarked in Australia by FCA and it is understood this name will be used by ASV for the converted 1500.

Separately, ASV's sister company Holden Special Vehicles is converting the MY18 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 to right-hand drive and is planning to expand to the new MY19 Silverado 1500, which was also launched at the Detroit show.

As we reported last month, the likelihood of a factory RHD version of Nissan's full-size Titan pick-up in the near future now also appear slim.