Ram Trucks Remaining True To Steel Until 2020

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Though Ford and General Motors may be exchanging their iron fists for aluminum gloves in this upcoming battle atop Truck Mountain, Ram plans to remain beholden to the steel until 2020.

Reuters reports two sources close to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ plans for Ram’s truck offerings proclaim that while significant changes will come to the trucks in 2017, the switch to aluminum is not among them. Maintaining the status quo would prevent alienation among its commercial consumer base, as well as keep production costs low from not having to convert steel parts to aluminum.

The plan echos what FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne told investors in May, stating the use of the metal would be “better suited in other vehicles than pickup trucks.” Instead, Ram will focus on more fuel-efficient engine-transmission setups, stop-start technology, and other methods of meeting 2018 U.S. emissions and fuel economy standards.

As for what happens after FCA’s current five-year plan comes to a close in 2020, the automaker isn’t saying much on the subject of an aluminum Ram beyond that no decisions have been made thus far, according to representative Rick Deneau.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
10 of 52 comments
  • DenverMike DenverMike on Aug 25, 2014

    @TomLU86 - Ford HDs will be aluminum too, from what I understand. No reason not to. But you don't want $9 gasoline. That would be catastrophic in the US. For pedestrians and cyclists alike. Unlike Europe, we were built around the promise of cheap fuel. And aluminum trucks may entice buyers formerly on the fence. Not just with mpg never thought of with trucks (combined with other tech), but rust prevention too. 10 to 15 years down the road, steel pickups already enjoy about 2X the resale value of most cars, SUVs, etc. When autos are a total rusted loss, does insurance pay up? That alone should make a person seek out aluminum vehicles. And if my aluminum truck lasts forever, that doesn't mean I wouldn't trade it in at the 10 year mark. So would you rather buy a 12 year old car or CUV already starting to rust? Or has that potential? Or an aluminum truck of the same vintage? Which would you pay more for?

  • Honda_lawn_art Honda_lawn_art on Aug 25, 2014

    Meanwhile, a 20 year old Toyota truck is getting 27mpg all day. You can even put things in the bed, and take them from place to place. You can't do it at 75mph up to the Eisenhower tunnel, but you can do some things.

    • See 3 previous
    • Drzhivago138 Drzhivago138 on Aug 25, 2014

      @el scotto I've only seen one pre-Tacoma pickup here in SW MN that was actually drivable, and it was in a similar condition to what you described. Internet MPGs and anecdotes mean nothing if the vehicle is undrivable after 15 years.

  • Gregaryous Gregaryous on Aug 25, 2014

    Bottomline: RAM can't get enough aluminum auto sheet until 2020 when new supply by Novelus and Alcoa comes on line!! So they Must defend there position to stay with steel because they are too late n last to convert to aluminum!!! All they can do is crank up the PR n pretend they are smart... like.., "Fix It Again Tony"...!

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Aug 27, 2014

    Those Canadians take such nice scenic car photos!

Next