Ram 1500 Tops Consumer Reports Full-Sized Pickup Test

ram1500_06Consumer Reports has put out their rankings of full-size picks up and the one that made it to the top of the list, the 2013 Ram 1500.

“The Ram 1500 is surprisingly luxurious and refined-but still fully capable of doing hard work when needed,” said Jake Fisher, director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Ct. “Continued interior and powertrain improvements make the Ram a particularly well-rounded choice.”

By heading over to their website, at ww.CosumerReports.org, they have the full break down of their test and ratings that led to the 1500 earning the top spot. The Ram 1500 Crew Cab with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a fan-favorite engine choice, was used in the testing.

The pick up managed a 78-point overall road test. To put some perspective on that number, here’s how the competition did. The Ford F-150 got 68 and the Toyota Tundra had a 69.

The 2013 Ram 1500 has been extremely popular with critics and fans of late. This is thanks to a lighter and stiffer frame than previous models. Including the new infotainment system on the inside to improve driver and passenger comfort certainly helped the scoring.

Consumer Report did mention that they are still waiting to test the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, so we’ll see if the 1500 can hold onto the crown afterward.

For more information on the Ram 1500, or other Ram products, head to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  You can view the full product line-up online or schedule a time to be seen in our service department for a check-up.  We also have added a mobile app for customers to access the dealership on the go.  Be sure to also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see our monthly specials.

Ram Trucks Heats up the Commercial Truck Segment

ram_promaster_02Trucks have an odd dual life attached to them. Sure everyone likes to drive a car that looks good, but trucks need to be able to do their duty as a heavy duty mover. That’s what commercial vehicles are all about, trading in the frill and good looks for providing the highest quality performance. With the 2013 Ram 1500 being such a success with fans and critics, Ram is setting their sights on providing competition to Ford and General Motors with commercial vehicles.

Currently, both Ford and General Motors dominate in this field. They have almost 90 percent of the market with Ram picking up the rest. The economy is improving and companies are looking at their fleets in need of updating.

Ram is introducing a new commercial truck, a downsized cargo van based off the Fiat Doblo, later next year.

It’s clear for truck sellers that this will be a major market over the course of the next few years. Truck builders are certainly concentrating on providing solid competition amongst themselves. When that happens, the consumer wins.

Go to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge to view our full Ram line-up, including our full selection of commercial trucks.  We have our new and pre-owned vehicles also available for view online.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more Ram news and monthly specials.

Ram 1500 Named Automobile Magazine 2013 All-Star

2013-All-Stars-Best-Cars-in-AmericaAutomobile Magazine just announced their All-Stars for 2013, and among their top-honored vehicles was the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn.

11 vehicles were named 2013 All-Stars and given distinctions like “Hometown Hero” or “Compact for America.” The Ram 1500 and the Audi A7 were designated as the “Houston Rockets.” Jason Harper, who wrote the section of the piece on the Ram 1500, had lots of praise for the truck, calling it “the ultimate in cowboy cool” and “king of the ranch.”

As they put both vehicles through their paces, the Ram 1500 easily beat out the Audi 7 for earning its keep. This is the type of vehicle that can haul more hay, bring back a runaway cow, and take out skeet shooting. Aside from its practicality, though, Harper was also surprised at the attention given to the interior, praising the stitching as “European quality” and noting the lack of “tawdry veneer” in the design.

The full article is available here or in the July issue of Automobile Magazine.

To view our Ram line-up, go online to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Our entire new and pre-owned inventory is also view-able.  Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to us on YouTube for more Ram news and for monthly parts and service specials.

 

2013 Ram 1500: Giving The Competition a Run for Their Money

ram1500_02It’s time for a good old fashion showdown between the most popular trucks on the market.  New York Daily News took a look at the popular 2013 Ram 1500 and saw how it stacked up next to the competition.  What was their conclusion?  It was that Ford and Chevrolet better be worried.

The Ram truck is a staple of American engineering for heavy-duty trucks.  The official origins for the Ram started around 1981, but the ram hood ornament has been a feature since the Great Depression.  Since then, the Ram has undergone quite a number of since then and is now poised to really shake up the established thought when it comes to trucks.

The 2013 Ram 1500 especially is looking to combine refined luxury covering powerful capability.  The redesign of Ram as the article puts it “attempts to innovate along with Chevy and Ford rather than follow while undercutting their prices.”  While there is a sense of gimmick in some of the features, such as the sidewall storage compartments or the “Rambox”, but many others would be considered class leading, such as eight speed transmission and electrical steering.

Where the Ram 1500 really shines is the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with eight speed automatic transmission.  The transmission is 10 percent more fuel efficient  than a six-speed and almost 15 percent more than five-speed.

For the pricing, it’s not hard to see it’s the choice for any driver looking for the best valued truck on the market.

To view our Ram line-up, go online to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Our entire new and pre-owned inventory is also view-able.  Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to us on YouTube for more Ram news and for monthly parts and service specials.

2013 Ram 1500: Built For Stop-and-Start Traffic

ram1500_03Gas prices might be on the decline, but that doesn’t stop anyone from wanting to keep that cost down overall.  Fuel economy is important to drivers.  The recent state of the economy showed just how much the average consumer cared about staying away from the pump as much as possible.  The automakers noticed this.  A major selling point of newer vehicles has been based around fuel efficiency.

That’s here the new 2013 Ram 1500 comes in.  Thanks to the Stop-Start technology it has; drivers will have improved fuel efficiency by 1 mph in city driving.

The Ram 1500 HFE models come with a high-performance starter that includes the Stop-Start system.  That is for both the 3.6L V-6 Pentastar or 5.7L V-8 HEMI engine.

What is the Stop-Start system?  It’s a very smart little do-hickey that stops the engine when the truck is at a complete stop.  A stop is based on the amount of brake pressure the driver puts on the pedal.  That means if you don’t want to stop the engine completely, then you can use soft braking.

This perk is definitely intended for anyone who has to deal with excess traffic.  Anyone who’s driven into New York through any of the tunnels knows how stop and go it can get.  How this system works during these conditions is that the stop-start turns on during the first off.  As long as you stay under 5 mph, the engine continues to run to maintain the heating or AC.  Another awesome aspect is that if the 1500 is stopped for a lengthy period of time and if it detects that the temperature is rising or decreasing, then the engine will restart to turn on the heater or the AC.

No worries about this feature wearing out fast because of what it does.  Yes there’s an additional load of work placed on the starter, alternator, and battery; the components were upgraded to handle it.

Its features like these that are compelling so many to recognize just how amazing the Ram 1500 is.

For more information on the Ram 1500, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  You can view our new and used inventory online.  Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to see our monthly specials.

Ram Sponsors Kentucky Derby for Fourth Consecutive Year

Ram-Truck-Official-Truck-Kentucky-DerbyThis weekend is the Kentucky Derby, and as people are placing their bets and predicting the winner, Ram is getting ready for its fourth consecutive year as the Derby’s official sponsor.

In a post on RamZone, Ram Trucks expressed their gratitude for the honor of sponsoring the Kentucky Derby, stating, “We hope that in time our presence at the Derby will become customary as seersucker suits and the garland of roses.”

For years, Ram’s line-up has catered to a variety of needs from light-duty truck for trailers and ATVs to heavy-duty trucks built for towing horse trailers. They understand the needs of truck drivers and more specifically of horse trainers and owners. Ram’s sponsorship of the Kentucky Derby is the perfect match between product and event, a partnership that will hopefully continue for years to come.

The Kentucky Derby will air live on NBC from 4 PM to 7 PM eastern time.

To view our Ram line-up, go online to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Our entire new and pre-owned inventory is also viewable.  Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to us on YouTube for more Ram news and for monthly parts and service specials.

Ram Jam Auctions Raise $181,731 for Charity!

Road to Ram Jam ImageRam’s all-star country music series, ‘Ram Jam,’ has been a resounding success.  One of the main parts of the event leading up to the concert was called “The Road to Ram Jam.”  All five of the country stars that would be performing as part of the concert were given Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn trucks with which to drive around before auctioning the trucks off with proceeds going towards charity.  The five trucks have been sold off and the final total for the donation has been tallied.  In total, they made $181.731.

The final truck sold belonged to Easton Corbin.  His Ram raised $37,101 for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.  The fund awards college scholarships to the children of the men and women in the Armed Forces who have lost their lives or limbs in defense of the country.

The other artists included Kellie Pickler, Brantly Gilbert, Billy Currington, and Zac Brown Band.  They were all given the Longhorn trucks, including Corbin, in early January.  Each one was then put up for auction to go towards the charity of the artist’s choice.

Breaking down the individual totals comes to Pickler raising $36,200 for the USO Warrior and Family Care program; Gilbert’s went for $34,552 and his charity was the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  Billy Currington’s charity was for Team Rubicon and raised $34,578 and Zac Brown Band, the charity being Camp Southern Group, raised $39,300.

The Ram Jam concert was held December 29th in Nashville.  It was by invite only, but you can still see the highlights here. (http://music.yahoo.com/programs/ram-country/. )

To view our Ram line-up go online to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Our entire new and pre-owned inventory is also viewable.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more Ram news and for monthly parts and service specials.

2013 Ram 1500 Makes WardAuto’s 10 Best Interiors

2013-ram-3500-laramie-longhorn-4x4-interior-photo-476266-s-1280x782

WardsAuto has named the 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn on its list of Ward’s 10 Best Interiors for 2013.

In a category that had six Asian automakers win a spot in, the 2013 Ram 1500 stood out as the best for pick-up trucks.  Noting that the new Ram truck beat out its rivals to the market, it’s created a hard chasm for them to cross in order to compete.

“…The Ram 1500 is a spectacular, emotive interior that sets a high standard other auto makers will be hard-pressed to emulate.”

The drivers at Wards had the highest praise for the refined 2013 Ram 1500’s refined interior.  Drew Winter, Editor-in-Chief of WardsAuto World magazine said that the instrument cluster “looks like a fine chronograph” and that the wood trim is “natural-looking and of the highest quality ”  He finished with a marvelous quote, “If Bently made a pickup truck, this is what the cabin would look like.”

The Ram team prides themselves on giving consumers the best bang for their buck.  They loaded the 2013 Ram 1500 with top quality materials and top-of-the-line tech such as the popular Chrysler UConnect system.  That level is why Ram was put in the top 10 when compared to 46 other vehicles.

Ram fans in the Queens area can find comfort at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We offer only the best customer service whether you’re looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle or need to bring in your current vehicle for service. Follow the dealership on Facebook and Twitter for more Ram news and monthly specials.

Ram Offers ACM Experience for Country Music Fans

Ram climbing hill

Ram fans and country music fans have always had a connection.  One just can’t help but love the other it seems.  Ram knows this, that’s why they devoted their resources into putting together a country music celebration which had each entertainer drive a Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn for an entire year before putting it up for auction with the proceeds going to charity.  The truck company decided that wasn’t enough and put up a special treat for people in attendance of the American Country Music Awards.

The event was dubbed the ‘ACM Experience’ and offered a rare experience.  Fans got into a 2013 Ram 1500 and went up a 30-degree drive up a 13 foot hill.  That’s not all; the course was filled with different challenges to drive over, such as a bed of railroad ties.

The people who took a ride also were registered for a chance to win $45,000 towards a Chrysler Group vehicle and free tickets to two weekend concerts.

Ram fans in the Queens area can find comfort at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We offer only the best customer service whether you’re looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle or need to bring in your current vehicle for service. Follow the dealership on Facebook and Twitter for more Ram news and monthly specials.

Easton Cobin’s 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Up for Auction

04Ram1500LaramieLonghornEastonCorbinThe Road to Ram Jam is coming to a close. Part of the event was having each of the participating musicians put their 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorns up for auction. That gives fans a chance to now not only own a truck that Easton Corbin has been riding around in, but also to help out charity in the process.

From now until the auctions deadline of March 28th, people will be able to place bids on Corbin’s Ram truck. The proceeds from the auction will be going to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. The fund is for college scholarships for the children of disabled and lost members of the Armed Forces.

“The whole purpose of the auction is to help other people and knowing that the proceeds from the truck will do this – is a great though,” Said Easton. “I definitely encourage my fans to bid on the auction. They get a great truck out of the deal and also provide college scholarships to some well-deserving young people.”

Each of the artists were given a year with the 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn to promote the upcoming musical show. So far Zac Brown’s, Billy Currington’s, Brantley Gilbert’s, and Kellie Pickler’s trucks have been auctioned off. . The trucks have raised tens of thousands of dollars each for their individual charities.

Ram fans in the Queens area can find comfort at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We offer only the best customer service whether you’re looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle or need to bring in your current vehicle for service. Follow the dealership on Facebook and Twitter for more Ram news and monthly specials.