The Ram 1500 pickup truck looks set to be heading to UK and European shores by 2019, in time for the fifth-generation model update.
Speaking with Professional Pickup & 4×4, Fiat Professional’s European head, Domenico Gostoli, expressed how there is a huge demand for American pickups in Europe.
This would be the first time that a full-size American pickup would be sold through a manufacturer dealer network in Europe. The differences in size, unit cost, running costs and emission legislation represent the biggest barriers but Gostoli is confident that with FCA’s global reach, it wouldn’t be too difficult to bring the product to market.
“Of course, this is no easy task,” remarked Gostoli. “We have to make sure that the Ram 1500 complies with the Euro-6 emission regulations, Euro NCAP and also that it can appeal to the market with competitive running costs.”
Although it’s thought that the truck would be badged as a Ram 1500, it will be sold throughout the UK at Fiat Professional dealers, a network made up of a mixture of Fiat car and Iveco truck franchises.
“We will ensure that the vehicle will receive the same aftersales support as Fiat Professional vehicles. This includes making sure that the dealers are well-stocked with spare parts and that the technicians are trained and equipped to carry out services and maintenance,” added Gostoli.
The UK engine line-up hasn’t yet been confirmed, but the Ram 1500 made its European debut at the IAA Show fitted with a 5.7-litre V8 HEMI modified to run off liquefied petroleum gas.
However, another possible option would be VM Motori’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel which features in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Maserati Ghibli. This would make more sense for UK operators, where the supply of LPG isn’t as widely available.
With an unladen weight of around 2.3 tonnes, there will still be a payload of up to around 1.2 tonnes if the Ram 1500 is homologated to the epxected 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight limit, allowing it to be driven on a conventional European car driving licence.
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