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Chrysler Canada: All-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Named Motor Trend "Truck of

the Year"

All-new 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups recognized by editors for setting a newbenchmark in heavy-duty truck segment

All-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup beats the competition in a series of rigorous tests

Windsor, Ontario , Dec 10, 2009 -

The editors of Motor Trend today named the all-new 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups themagazine's "2010 Truck of the Year."

"To have our all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty named Truck of the Year by the editors of Motor Trend really defines how great this new Ram Heavy Duty pickup is," said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer-Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "The Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award is like a standing ovation for the Chrysler Group designers, engineers and planners who developed this incredible Ram Heavy Duty Truck."

Motor Trend Truck of the Year contenders are evaluated using six criteria, which includes designadvancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value. To be eligible, a vehicle must have been substantially changed from the previous model.

"The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty absolutely nailed the award in terms of our criteria, from the attractive exterior styling, to the plush and quiet cabins, to the tough and capable powertrains, especially the impressive Cummins diesel, which meets 50-state U.S. emissions standards without needing expensive after-treatment technology," said Angus MacKenzie, Editor-in-Chief, Motor Trend. "It delivers the capability heavy duty truck users demand, with style and refinement they perhaps did not expect."

Innovative New Features Strengthen Ram Heavy Duty's Capability and Performance

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty brings increased capability and innovative new features to the heavy-duty segment with an uncompromising attitude that remains the standard for all full-size heavy-duty pickups.

In Canada for 2010, the all-new Ram Heavy Duty is available in six distinct trim models-ST, SXT, SLT, TRX / TRX4® Off Road, Power Wagon® and Laramie. Each has a unique appearance and offers consistent equipment with strong values for the diversified truck customers.

Ram Heavy Duty delivers the performance and amenities customers demand. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickups feature a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame with advanced torsional rigidity and stiffness. A coil-spring suspension setup is used up front, with a multi-leaf spring design in the rear for heavyduty capability. Front and rear shocks and springs are tuned for optimum ride quality and capability.

Improved suspension tuning and new C-pillar hydra mounts were added to the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty] models to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake, which means an improved ride for the customer.

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups offer the only standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel-equipped models). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Large front (360 mm) and rear (358 mm) brakes with integrated Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) increase brake life and braking stability. In Canada, the standard exhaust brake adds more than $3,500 of value to the Ram Heavy Duty diesel models for a feature that the competition does not offer. An available integrated trailer brake control provides better driver control in towing situations. Trailer brake control information is conveniently displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), which is included in Canada on all Ram Heavy Duty models equipped with the integrated trailer brake control.

In addition, new 2010 Ram automatic transmissions include Electronic Range Select (ERS), which enables the driver to manually limit the highest available transmission gear, allowing manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed. A tow/haul mode switch enhances tow capability while towing. Tow/haul mode is included on both five-speed and six-speed automatic transmissions. Combined with the diesel exhaust brakes, ERS provides Canadians amazing stopping power for even the heaviest loads without using any brakes.

Customers in the heavy-duty segment have a range of needs, and most of them involve high levels of capability. The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 are designed to deliver a total package:

Up to 8,391 kg (18,500 pounds) towing and 2,327 kg (5,130 pounds) payload capability (when properly equipped)

Increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on 2500 4x4 crew cab diesel models to 4,354kg (9,600 pounds) from 4,082 kg (9,000 pounds)

Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on 3500 dually models with diesel, autotransmission and 4.10 rear axle to 11,113 kg (24,500 pounds) from 10,886 kg (24,000 pounds).

With the Max Tow Package, GCWR increases to 11,521 kg (25,400 pounds) (late availability).

Increased GCWR on 3500 4x2 models to 10,886 kg (24,000 pounds) from 10,432 kg (23,000 pounds)

Increased front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on several models:

To 2,495 kg (5,500 pounds) from 2,359 kg (5,200 pounds) on diesel 4x4 pickups

To 2,268 kg (5,000 pounds) from 2,132 kg (4,700 pounds) on diesel 4x2 pickups

Other towing features include improved trailer-tow mirrors with integrated turn signals, memory function and puddle lamps. The larger 7-in. x 11-in. trailer-tow mirrors offer improved visibility with larger convex glass surfaces. Mirrors flip up and out in a vertical configuration for improved visibility around wide trailers. Trailer-tow mirrors are now standard on 3500.

Ram Heavy Duty towing, payload and axle capacity have all been increased for 2010. Suspension upgrades and larger front-axle U-joints, combined with increased front GAWR, result in increased front-weight carrying capability-a must for larger snowplows.

The Ram Power Wagon also returns for the 2010 model year, equipped with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a custom-built Warn® 5,443 kg (12,000 pound) winch that is accessible through the front bumper. The 2010 Ram Power Wagon features new exterior graphics and a lower two-tone paint scheme.

Ram Heavy Duty Powertrains Include 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 and 5.7-litre HEMI® V-8

Powertrain choices include the legendary 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which produces 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and up to 650 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1,500 rpm (when properly equipped). The most durable and reliable engine in its class, the 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel features standard oil-change intervals of 12,000 km (7,500 miles).

The Cummins 6.7-litre Turbo Diesel I-6 engine uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to virtuallyeliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 per cent, in order to meet stringent 2010 calendar year Canadian diesel emissions requirements. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty comes standard with the 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 gasoline engine, delivering 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 5.7-litre HEMI was redesigned for 2009, with several new and improved technologies including Variable-valve Timing (VVT), increased compression ratio, active intake manifold with long runners for low-end torque and short runners for high-rpm power, improved cylinder head port flow efficiency and reduced-restriction exhaust and induction systems.

New Exterior Styling; Loads of Interior Comfort and Convenience

The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup was born from the same truck family that brought out the award-winning Ram 1500-Strategic Vision's Quality Award Winner. The 2010 Ram Heavy  improved aerodynamics and fit and finish. To accommodate cooling requirements of the 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, the new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty grille opening is larger than the light duty grille. The larger grille mates to a taller hood that incorporates louvers on each side. Access to the front winch (on Power Wagon models) and tow hooks led to the unique front-bumper design.

The new dual-rear-wheel fenders (3500 dually only) are now integrated into the box stamping and offer a smooth aerodynamic appearance. The all-new Crew Cab offers Ram a formidable entry into the highest volume part of Canada's heavy duty segment (70 per cent).

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Mega Cab models offer best-in-class interior room in the segment, including the largest, longest cab (4,041 L 2,856 mm long); largest interior cargo volume (1,962 L); largest cargo volume behind rear seat (343 L); largest flat-floor load area (1.6 m2); largest second-row leg room (1,100 mm); largest rear-door opening (876 mm wide, 902 mm high); largest rear-door open angle 85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

Ram Heavy Duty Delivers More than 25 Safety and Security Features

The all-new Ram Heavy Duty also offers 25 active and passive safety features, including Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), advanced multi-stage air bags, BeltAlert, Brake/Park interlock, child-protection rear door locks, Constant-force Retractors (CFR), crumple zones, electronic variable brake-force distribution, energy-absorbing steering column, height-adjustable seat belts, HomeLink® universal transceiver, interior head-impact protection, knee bolsters, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child seat anchor system, low-risk deployment air bag, Parksense® rear park-assist system, power-adjustable pedals, remote keyless entry, seat-belt pretensioners, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, standard side-curtain air bags, three-point seat belts, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) (2500 only) and Uconnect Phone with voice command.

2010 Ram Heavy Duty Pricing

The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is the best-priced Heavy Duty Truck in Canada starting at Cdn Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $33,995 for regular cab models, $40,145 for crew cab models and $43,945 for Mega Cab models. All prices exclude $1,400 for destination. The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty arrives at retailers in late 2009 calendar year.

About Motor Trend

Motor Trend, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC was founded in 1949 and is internationallyrecognized as one of the leading brands in automotive publishing. Motor Trend comprises Motor Trend Magazine, the motortrend.com website, Motor Trend Radio, Truck Trend, Motor Trend International Auto Shows, Motor Trend en Espanol and Motor Trend Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program.

About Ram Brand

With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, Ram offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet. Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game-changer in terms of its  the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities.

The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision 2009 Total Quality Index? (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.

Ram will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty Trucks. The new Heavy-Duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment.

Ram will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.