I don't think this is a bad thing. It appears that they are mearly creating a seperate identy for the truck brand. Probably to keep the truck profits on a seperate line on the P&L's? I am very happy to hear that Ralph Gilles will continue to head up the Design Department and pick up the Dodge car brand. This is GREAT news.
sounds alright to me ... the only negative I'm seeing is that it will add another multi-million dollar executive contract
:stupid: Ralph will keep taking care of us...and hopefully they will keep improving the new design of the Ram (making it more like the 05's :getlost
I clearly agree as i own one lol.... I wasnt talking about Looks (shoulda worded it better) i mean about functionally lol
for years within the dealers it has been known as dodge and dodge trucks. guess they what to make it offical.
Business-wise I think its a good plan. I think it will help to strengthen both product lines. The downside is that weaknesses or failed models will stand out a bit more. The two lines won't have each other to help carry them during lean times.
LOL I will keep it as short as possible with one single example: (keep in mind...this is only one example).... Snow: In my 2005...even on the crappy balding Goodyears the truck came from...i drove through the 2nd worst snow storm in Burlington Vermonts history, 3 times (to work to get my roommate...drove him home...and drove back to work....we HAVE to work regardless of conditions for a total of about 30 miles through all kinds of roads including back ass roads)....the 05 ate up the snow and made it its bitch.... In my 2009, it takes a lot more "work" to drive the truck in "low traction conditions" as ill put it. the truck wants to be all over the place and is generally more "slippery" than the 05....And these are with better tires (the same tires I had on my 05 when i upgraded tires)..... I dont like the addition of the Traction control (even though you can turn it off) and even though it does help the truck as far as normally daily driveablity, i think the other transmission was better for the driving in bad weather with how it shifted and when i guess you can put it..... I have some other "urks" about the truck...but some of them were my fault for choosing the model I chose....(I.E. The 5.5' Bed which is the worst thing of all time...i wish they took the quad cab long bed chassis and made a crew cab 7.5' bed instead)...but we wont go into that lol
yeah dude... im not saying the 09 is not a very capable truck...and that it couldnt not handle itself in those situations.... i am saying that in my 05....it was almost like it was effortless as far as being able to power through anything and everything that got in your way.... the 09 seems to make you work at it.... that to me is a step backwards...not forwards lol