Latest news with #ProMasterEV
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford isn't going to love RAM's new warranty offering
Ford isn't going to love RAM's new warranty offering originally appeared on Autoblog. Starting with the 2026 model year, RAM is doubling down on its comeback strategy by offering something no other full-size truck brand does: a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. That's right—twice the current coverage on gas-powered RAM trucks, and a full five years longer than what Ford and GM currently offer. It's not just the half-ton RAM 1500 that's getting the extra protection. The new warranty extends to heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models, chassis cab trucks, and even the ProMaster commercial van. Buyers of the off-road-ready Power Wagon and high-performance RHO also qualify. The only real exclusions? Fleet buyers and the all-electric ProMaster EV. That means for individual buyers, whether purchasing or leasing, this warranty could be a serious reason to reconsider a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado. So why the sudden move? According to RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis, the answer is simple: consumer behavior has shifted. Today's truck buyers are financing over longer terms and holding onto their vehicles longer than ever—12.6 years on average. Yet no truck brand has changed its warranty to reflect that reality. 'We think this gives people a real reason to switch,' Kuniskis said. And he's not wrong. Truck buyers are famously brand-loyal, with roughly 75–80% sticking with the same make when they buy again. But loyalty can shift if one brand clearly takes better care of its owners, especially in the long haul. Offering a longer warranty also sends a strong message: RAM believes in the durability of its new powertrains. That includes the returning 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, now offered once again as an option on the 2026 RAM 1500, and the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six that debuted just last year. RAM is coming off a rocky year. The 2025 RAM 1500 launch hit production delays, early trims were priced too high, and removing the V-8 left a bad taste for longtime fans. But the brand is attempting to turn the page. Under new leadership, including Kuniskis' return from retirement, RAM has slashed prices, brought back the HEMI, and even announced a NASCAR comeback for 2026. The company has also rolled out a new marketing push with the tagline 'Nothing Stops RAM'. This warranty announcement isn't just a sales gimmick; it's part of a larger turnaround strategy designed to restore consumer confidence and boost conquest sales. Ford and Chevy now face a choice: match RAM's warranty or risk looking second-best in a segment where perception matters as much as specs. So far, neither has hinted at making a similar move. That leaves RAM as the sole brand offering a decade of peace of mind on core powertrain components: engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, and axles. And in a world where trucks now cost as much as some luxury cars, that could be a powerful differentiator. If Ford and GM aren't worried yet, they probably should be. Ford isn't going to love RAM's new warranty offering first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ford isn't going to love RAM's new warranty offering
Starting with the 2026 model year, RAM is doubling down on its comeback strategy by offering something no other full-size truck brand does: a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. That's right-twice the current coverage on gas-powered RAM trucks, and a full five years longer than what Ford and GM currently offer. It's not just the half-ton RAM 1500 that's getting the extra protection. The new warranty extends to heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models, chassis cab trucks, and even the ProMaster commercial van. Buyers of the off-road-ready Power Wagon and high-performance RHO also qualify. The only real exclusions? Fleet buyers and the all-electric ProMaster EV. That means for individual buyers, whether purchasing or leasing, this warranty could be a serious reason to reconsider a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado. So why the sudden move? According to RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis, the answer is simple: consumer behavior has shifted. Today's truck buyers are financing over longer terms and holding onto their vehicles longer than ever-12.6 years on average. Yet no truck brand has changed their warranty to reflect that reality. "We think this gives people a real reason to switch," Kuniskis said. And he's not wrong. Truck buyers are famously brand-loyal, with roughly 75–80% sticking with the same make when they buy again. But loyalty can shift if one brand clearly takes better care of its owners-especially in the long haul. Offering a longer warranty also sends a strong message: RAM believes in the durability of its new powertrains. That includes the returning 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, now offered once again as an option on the 2026 RAM 1500, and the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six that debuted just last year. RAM is coming off a rocky year. The 2025 RAM 1500 launch hit production delays, early trims were priced too high, and removing the V-8 left a bad taste for longtime fans. But the brand is attempting to turn the page. Under new leadership, including Kuniskis' return from retirement, RAM has slashed prices, brought back the HEMI, and even announced a NASCAR comeback for 2026. The company has also rolled out a new marketing push with the tagline "Nothing Stops RAM". This warranty announcement isn't just a sales gimmick; it's part of a larger turnaround strategy designed to restore consumer confidence and boost conquest sales. Ford and Chevy now face a choice: match RAM's warranty or risk looking second-best in a segment where perception matters as much as specs. So far, neither has hinted at making a similar move. That leaves RAM as the sole brand offering a decade of peace of mind on core powertrain components: engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, and axles. And in a world where trucks now cost as much as some luxury cars, that could be a powerful differentiator. If Ford and GM aren't worried yet, they probably should be. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Ram ProMaster EV Lineup Expands, but Its Base Price Drops by $20K
The 2025 adds two new cargo van configurations, with either a 12-foot or a 13-foot cargo hold. The new cargo setup starts at $58,490, over $20,000 less than the base price for the 2024 step van model, which was the only configuration offered last year. The step van has received its own discount, down by $8000 to a starting price of $71,990. Last year, Ram joined the increasingly crowded electric-commercial-van segment, launching an electric version of its full-size ProMaster to go up against the Ford E-Transit, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, and Chevrolet BrightDrop. The ProMaster EV was hamstrung, however, by offering a single configuration for the 2024 model year, which also made it significantly pricier than the competition. But the American truck brand is rectifying that for 2025, adding two new body variations and dropping the base price by over $20K. The 2024 Ram ProMaster EV was limited to a single Delivery step van model, which featured a Super High Roof body, a sliding pocket door on the passenger's side, and a roll-up rear door. When we drove the ProMaster EV last fall, Ram said it would add more configurations later, and the company has delivered on that promise with two new cargo variants for 2025. The cargo van models will come in two setups, either a 12-foot cargo length or a 13-foot cargo length, with both bodies sitting atop a chassis with a 159.0-inch wheelbase. Instead of the Delivery model's pocket door, the cargo model features a sliding side door. Most importantly, the new cargo van models receive a drastic decrease in the ProMaster EV's base price. While the 2024 Delivery model started at $79,990, the new cargo configurations see the base price drop to $58,490. Even better, the Delivery version—which Ram now refers to as the step van model—has received its own price reduction to $71,990, down by $8000 from 2024. Ram claims the electric ProMaster cargo models can travel up to 164 miles on a charge thanks to a battery pack with 97.0 kWh of usable capacity. For 2025, Ram also says it has increased the step van's range for city driving to 180 miles, up from last year's estimate of 162 miles. A DC fast-charger will take the ProMaster EV from 20 to 80 percent in less than 55 minutes, with a peak charging rate of 150 kW. The cargo version has a payload of 3020 pounds, while the step van is capable of carrying 2876 pounds, an increase from the 2030-pound rating that Ram quoted in 2024. Both models feature a single electric motor sending 268 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. Customers can now build and price their ProMaster EV online before connecting with a dealership to complete the transaction. The cargo van variants will begin reaching dealerships in the second quarter of this year. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
