The Most Decorated Truck on the Planet

As we look back on an exciting 2009 here at Ram, there’s certainly a reason for us all to celebrate: Ram hauled in a ton of awards in ’09, a tribute both to all the hard-working employees who help build the world’s greatest trucks and to the intelligent consumers who support us by buying them. But why toot our own horn? All these people have done it already:

 

Ward’s AutoWorld Interior of the Year: The 2009 Ram 1500 rolled over competition from Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet. The magazine called the vehicle “comfortable and well-conceived” based on its finishing touches — like the seats’ saddle stitching, upscale instrument gauges, and chromed accents.

 

2009 Dodge Ram Sport

Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2009: Ward also announced its 10 favorite engines of the year, and Ram’s refined and powerful 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 made the list.

 

Strategic Vision Top of Its Class: In the 15-year history of Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index of the best of the best in the auto industry, a truck has never scored as high as the Ram 1500.

 

AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award: Ram was ahead of the pack in the Large Pickup Truck category, scoring top ratings in owner contentment with operation, comfort, safety, and overall experience.

 

Edmunds’ Inside Line’s Best Full-Size Pickup Truck: The widely read website for auto enthusiasts compared a range of pickups head-to-head, and Ram emerged on top.

 

2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab

Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association’s Truck of the Year: The Ram 1500 beat the Ford F-150 and the Nissan Titan in this annual competition, thanks to its unmatched design, handling, and technology.

 

MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice: Marking the third time an all-new Ram earned the title, the 2009 Ram 1500 was named Best Pickup for its innovative storage system, coil-spring rear suspension, and interior fit and finish.

 

Consumer Guide’s Best Buy for 2009: Consumer Guide tipped its hat to Ram’s quiet, comfortable cabin and innovative storage systems, calling it best in the pickup truck category.

 

Car.com’s Work Truck of the Year: This group of automotive experts gave the Ram 1500 top marks in its Lifestyle Awards based on power, durability, and cargo space.

 

International Truck of the Year: The board of renowned auto editors and journalists at International Car of the Year picked Ram for this prestigious award based on innovation, functionality, and safety, beating out the new Ford F-150 and Subaru Forester.

 

2009 Dodge Ram Laramie

Truckin’ Magazine’s Truck of the Year: Singing the praises of the game-changing 2009 Ram, the editor pointed to its dramatic, new sleek design and quality materials, calling it a truly “luxurious” ride.

 

New England Motor Press Association’s Best-in-Class Pickup Truck: Ram took home the gold, judged best suited for handling New England’s long and raging winters.

 

Autobytel.com’s 2009 My Ride/Editors’ Choice Award’s Truck of the Year: The evaluation committee was most impressed by Ram’s focus on ride quality.

 

Automobile Journalists’ Association of Canada’s Best New Pickup: The Ram 1500 scored highest with Canada’s auto media, based on everything from handling and visibility to engine smoothness and ride comfort.

 

Four Wheeler’s Pickup Truck of the Year: Calling it “quite nearly the best of all worlds,” the magazine bestowed top honors on the 2010 Ram Power Wagon as it praised the truck’s ability to “simply go places, and do things, that no other fullsize truck on the planet can.”

 

And even though the 2010 trucks are just rolling out, the new year’s Ram 3500 has already stolen the show at the annual Truck Rodeo in San Antonio, being named Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of the Year by the Texas Auto Writers Association. Here’s to that being just the beginning!

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Got HEMI Questions for the Ram Engineers?

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Now that you’ve asked the Ram engineers all your Cummins-related questions, it’s time to give the HEMI side of your brain a little work-out as well. Ram engineers will be taking your questions about building the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty at the HEMI forum on Thursday, December 10, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm Eastern. Click here to post and participate.

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Chat with Ram Engineers in the Dec. 8 Cummins Forum

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 - 6.7L Cummins turbo di

Got a question for a Ram or Cummins engineer? Well, now’s your chance to hear from the guys who built the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty and the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, one of the cleanest, most powerful diesels on any commercial pickup. Whether you want to know about different transmission options, the benefits of the diesel exhaust brake, or anything else Cummins-related, the engineers will be answering your questions tomorrow. Click here to post your questions in advance between now and tomorrow afternoon. Then check back on Tuesday, December 8, between 5:30 and 7:00 pm Eastern, to be a part of the conversation. If you aren’t a TDR subscriber, don’t worry — the good folks hosting the forum at Turbo Diesel Register have waved the subscription fee to allow non-members to participate. Click here to register for free.

UPDATE: The forum has begun.

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A Ram Walk-Through of the LA Auto Show

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Your feet have to be Ram Tough to get through the massive LA Auto Show. But the effort is certainly worth it.


Divided into three display areas, the vast Los Angeles Convention Center has an energetic South Hall that’s jam-packed with interactive displays, games, and tons of auto eye candy that make it feel more like the world’s largest toy store for grown-ups.


But the highlight is actually the West Hall. Wear your walking shoes.


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Along with an enormous Dodge display, the West Hall offers up sprawling acreage dedicated to Ram¹s 2010 trucks, which in their first-ever exhibit dominate the floor space without any gimmicky embellishments.


The imposing 3500 Heavy Duty Cummins Turbo Diesel lords over a living-room-size space with its imposing grill and new Crew Cab, accompanied by the Ram 2500, with innovations that only add to its already impressive strength and utility. The new 1500, meanwhile, shows off an impressively refined interior that sets new standards of comfort for powerful light-duty trucks.


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For those who want to inspect every detail (or just want to see the coolest display in the entire show), one Ram 3500 Heavy Duty is hacked apart to reveal a full cutaway view, exposing its intricate innards from bumper to bumper, with key features clearly labeled and explained. This is how you show off a truck — by letting people see the powerful guts that drive it.


Click through the photo gallery below to see more from the LA Auto Show. And if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by to say hi to your new Rams — the show is open to the public until December 13.


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Fine Art that Hauls

Joel Nelson's Power Wagon

Illustrator Joel Nelson certainly had one of the more unusual artistic inspirations you’ll hear of: Bo and Luke Duke.

 

“It all started out with a Dodge project,” Nelson says. “I grew up watching the Dukes of Hazzard and drawing the General Lee jumping — when I was a kid it was everything, and that Charger has always been a favorite of mine.” His other main early inspiration was Simon & Simon’s Power Wagon. “Simon’s truck, with that bumper and black wheels, had such a tough image. That’s why I like it. To me, the Dodge Ram has always been a stronger truck.”

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