Will Chrysler make Ram its fourth brand?
2009 Dodge Ram – Click above for a high-res image gallery
Over the past dozen years, the domestic auto industry has worked hard to shrink its brands to more reasonable levels. Gone are Eagle, Plymouth, Pontiac and Oldsmobile and some would speculate that Mercury should have joined the extinction club long ago. Of course, Ford has sold off Jaguar, Land Rover and Austin Martin, while GM is in the process of jettisoning Saab, Hummer, Saturn, and Opel.
However, if Autoextremist's Peter DeLorenzo is to be believed, the Chrysler portfolio could grow instead of shrink. DeLorenzo says he's hearing rumblings around Motown that Chrysler could break off the Ram from the Dodge, with the truck line becoming a dedicated brand. Doing so would make Dodge a car outlet, while the Ram brand would be all trucks, all the time, including the Dakota.
We don't get how this could possibly be a good idea, considering Chrysler's financial position and struggling sales. Why spend money marketing a new brand, while asking battle-weary dealers to invest in more signage and differentiated floor space? At this point, its just speculation and we're hoping it stays that way.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Ram
[Source: Auto Extremist]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
jon 10:02AM (7/30/2009)
"We don't get how this could possibly be a good idea" agreed
Reply
Big Mola 11:53AM (7/30/2009)
I heard a rumor too. Perhaps Autoblog will publish it.
;)
jon 11:56AM (7/30/2009)
well regardless of its rumor status, its still a horrible idea
Tool 12:53PM (7/30/2009)
What the world needs right now is another automotive brand. Especially from the D3 who are totally clueless about marketing/branding these days.
Maybe the guys who proposed the $100,000 in free consulting to GM would extend the same offer to Chrysler. If they are so altruistic I'm sure they would be willing to help out another Detroit automaker in trouble.
Epyx 10:06AM (7/30/2009)
Maybe Dodge's or Chrysler's (as a stand alone brand) days are numbered? Maybe we will see Chrysler/Fiat/Ram or Dodge/Fiat/Ram or Dodge/Ram/Alfa?
Reply
Epyx 10:07AM (7/30/2009)
...or maybe Chrysler is positioning RAM to be sold off as a stand alone entity.
BigMcLargeHuge 10:31AM (7/30/2009)
Nissan offered to buy Dodge for the truck division a while ago didn't they?
Maybe the offer is still on the table, and they are willing to buy Ram, but not the car company.
notYou 1:08PM (7/30/2009)
...or maybe Chrysler should be calling it RHAM?
[sorry...couldn't resist]
Ovidiu 10:10AM (7/30/2009)
Austin Martin? Really?
Reply
Slizzo 10:12AM (7/30/2009)
Yeah, I do believe that it was ASTON Martin that Ford had owned and sold.
Ovidiu 10:15AM (7/30/2009)
My point exactly.
What's next, an article about the 2010 Chevrolet Camero?
MKW 10:22AM (7/30/2009)
Lmao
FSM 11:08AM (7/30/2009)
Have any of you seen that awesome movie Aston Powers: International Man of Mystery?
arturo 11:54AM (7/30/2009)
jaja first think I notice as well. oh well it would be changed once Autoblog stuff wakes up.
dwightB 1:05PM (7/30/2009)
Thank you for nearly making me spit out my lunch in laughter! LOL!
Brent 8:31PM (7/30/2009)
lol. I was going to say the same thing.
austin martin, really?
BoxerFanatic 10:11AM (7/30/2009)
The only way I see Ram trucks splitting from Dodge cars... is if there is a greater reason for their separation.
Either Dodge as a car brand evaporating, and all cars being chryslers, and Dodge/Jeep being a truck-only brand...
Or the light truck division being sold to someone else, like Nissan, for the future Ram-based Titan... Or Nissan just taking Ram trucks as they are; off of Chrysler's hands.
To split Dodge cars from Ram trucks just to have two dealership networks is a insane, and rightfully nobody can see much of any logic behind it... more costs for the sake of what?
If they split, and there is any logic to it, it is because there is a more fundamental change afoot.
Reply
Snark 11:20AM (7/30/2009)
My prediction: Dodge is going away.
Frank 1:47PM (7/30/2009)
My prediction: The earth is going to be hit by a big meteor. In the next 100,000 years or so.
Motor_Yakuza 10:17AM (7/30/2009)
Muahahahahaha, sorry, but this idea it's just to stupid.
Reply