While Fiat Chrysler Australia has dithered and fluffed for years about importing the excellent range of RAM trucks, Fiat Chrysler New Zealand has taken the bull by the horns and will launch the award-winning lineup in both markets in the third quarter of this year.
Fiat Chrysler New Zealand’s appointment as the official RAM Trucks importer for both Australia and New Zealand has enabled the company to achieve Full Volume Conversion for the RAM Truck range meaning its right hand drive vehicles meet all Australian design rules and thus can be imported in unlimited numbers.
Ironically the Fiat Chrysler distributorship in New Zealand is owned by former Fiat Chrysler Australia President Clyde Campbell.
“Clearly there is a demand for this type of vehicle in Australia and New Zealand in both the private and commercial markets with only availability restricting sales,” Mr Campbell explained. “Until now the only way to own one in Australia was through a low volume aftermarket conversion. Our vehicles are being developed with the full blessing of Fiat Chrysler’s RAM division. They have worked closely with our engineers to produce a vehicle that is as close to an official factory right hand drive vehicle as it can be”.
In unconfirmed reports the parent company of Holden Special Vehicles, the Walkinshaw Group, has been appointed the contract that will see experts from HSV complete the conversion from left to right-hand-drive. The team will meet all the legal requirements for them to be sold in unlimited volume on both sides of ‘the ditch’.
Details of the model lineup and prices will be announced later.
