Lots of new Ram trucks rotting on dealer lots it seems

[Joe1]

I was scrolling through TikTok last week and saw quite a few videos discussing the high inventory of Dodge/RAM/Chrysler/Jeep vehicles.
This thread gives more credibility to the videos l saw.

 

[fdcg27]

Here's an interesting site with past actual sales figures through May of this year:

https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/total-vehicle-sales

What's striking is how low the forecast for volume for the full year of 2024 is.
If this is anywhere close to reality there will be blood in the streets and retail incentives just like what we used to see.
Bear in mind that we're in the midst of the selling season and whatever doesn't get sold over the next few months will have to end up on the discount rack and those who try to hold the line on pricing will only end up financing expensive inventory for a longer time only to sell it for less money as the weeks and months pass.

 

[PWMDMD]

Unsold cars are a harbinger of a recession.

One of many many many indicators but nothing in and of itself. There are car companies selling plenty of cars. Toyota is up 20% in the first quarter and Lexus just had a record quarter up 15%. Toyota trucks are up 20% for the 1st quarter. Perhaps, people are finally coming to value and are only willing to pay a premium for (perceived) reliability.

 

[The Lube Guy]

Anything Alfa Romeo would scare me. I also think Dodge has so few vehicles now and none are all that good and they are just fading from the lexicon in consumer's minds.

When we got our Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2022, the lot was full of the new Alfa Romeo platform Jeeps. I found a brand new WK2 Laredo-X, with the two-speed transfer case and all the goodies, including leather seats, and it was cheaper than the cheapest entry-level new model Jeep. The old WK2 is an ancient MB platform, however, IMHO, it's better than what it was replaced with. The same goes for all new vehicles that will come out from Stellantis/FCA/CJDR in the future (anyone wanna buy a Hornet?).

 

[Leo99]

Surprised to hear that about the Hornet. It was supposed to be a smash for Dodge in the hot small SUV category. Reviews and driving dynamics were good as it is really an Alfa Romeo.

Perhaps too many years of poor products labeled Dodge scared people off, but I have seen little advertising so .

All of the big 3 have a lot of pricey trucks sitting around though from what I hear. Market correction from the consumers who’ve had enough.

Alfa Romeo doesn't have the best reputation. This idiotic commercial isn't helping.

 

[Kira]

fading from the lexicon in consumer's minds.

That has a nice tone to it.

To TLG: Does my friend's 2017 WK2 share that ancient MB platform? Would you know its name?

Chrysler ads featuring consistent appeal to the raucous and unreal always looked inferior and bad.

 

[CKN]

I'm not concerned with that at all. I'm not gonna live forever.

Seriously though, the really bad pollution comes from industrial output, not tailpipes.


The only option that is harder to install after buying one is 4x4, if you can even consider that an option on a truck. Never mind the 4x4 part, but you want the low-range, unless that truck is a pavement queen/mall crawler.

It just goes to show how lazy people have become. You can customize pretty much anything on a truck, much easier than on a car. And for far less than what the dealer charges. I wouldn't pay an extra $25K to $30K for a prettier dashboard and leather seats.


Don't I know it. Good thing that in my family we all pull together and help each other out.


If people are willing to pay high dollar for their services then those services might be worth it. Then again, dumping everything you make in a truck isn't very smart either. Working construction, or any other trade, that truck is a tool, not a toy. No worries, around here down south contractors love their trucks just as much, and will give everything they have for one.

Five years ago I contracted a young veteran to do my roof. He was awesome to work with. We went to Lowes together and took my RAM 1500. He asked me how much it was, and I said $36K in 2016. It was a 4x4 Big Horn with the 8.4 Screen, spray in bed, and a sunroof that I didn't care for. He said it was too much. Then I asked how much his lifted Ford Diesel pickup truck was, and he said $70K. I said "yeah...". So there you go... I bough all the materials, and paid him and his crew $5000 for a day and a half of work. They were very fast and professional. The bigger roofing companies in my area wanted $16K to $20K for the same job. The materials were around $4000.

This was 2019, and the roofing companies had their sales people call me day in and day out trying to put me in debt, offering 5 year plans to pay off their overpriced roofing jobs. It's the same now, just even more expensive.

The bottom line is that, at least for me, if I can find a cheaper alternative to avoid making others rich, I will take that option, every time. However, not everyone is like me, and many will just happily splurge and spend their money away, as long as they can borrow it cheap-ish.

Customizing a truck beyond wheels and suspension is almost impossible-or cost prohibitive. Many guys wants to add power mirrors after they bought a base truck. Everything runs over CANBUS and even if the wiring is there-it's not plug and play.Bottom line-it's not easy at all.

 

[Dave Hess]

There are some folks in the USA that can buy an $80,000 vehicle cash, no 84 month financing.

The average person in the USA only needs a $10,000 car to get to work, take kids to school and little league games.

Brett the Bozo with big EGO buying that $80,000 pickup truck with optional platinum ‘glitter & glam’ package is a very poor financial decision. The guy has almost zero in savings and zero retirement.
He has an internet persona that he must portray on his 7 social media accounts. He is a broke poser trying to flex and make it look he’s doing well.

I know a neonatologist and he drives a Honda CRV.
I know a ENT doctor and he drives a Toyota Camry.

 

[spasm3]

Prices have gone up , and with a poor economy and inflation, many can't afford it now.

 

[CKN]

One's financial and purchase decisions are no one's business on THIS FORUM...unless you disagree with them.....

 

[carviewsonic]

I'd wouldn't mind a new mid-trim level 1/2 ton pickup. I drove work trucks for my entire career, and owned an '87 F-150 for 11 years. But we do just fine without a pickup now, and I just can't justify the purchase price these days. I took a quick look at pickups on the local Ford and GM lots three weeks ago, and left shaking my head at the prices.

 

[The Lube Guy]

Alfa Romeo doesn't have the best reputation. This idiotic commercial isn't helping.

That hybrid "R/T" platform is not a disaster waiting to happen, it's a disaster happening. Almost $60K for a 1.4 Teerbo + Electric Motor. No, thanks.

 

[BrianF]

No surprise. We had been looking at upgrading our 3500 but said its plenty fine after seeing the new msrp. When a half ton costs more than our 3500 did in 2017.

Sooner or later the auto segment will crash again.

 

[JavierH19]

Well gee.... I wonder why people aren't just rushing and trampling over each other to pay almost 60k without having the sheer audacity to even dare to think about haggling the poor sweet little innocent neglected dealerships from heaven for an old style base model ram 1500 tradesman with cloth seats and no center console that looks the exact same as the neighbors 2009 he bought at a scrap yard with a blown engine for 3k and put a used engine in for a grand.

https://www.allensamuelscdjr.com/in...ew-cab-64-box-4x4-crew-cab-1c6rr7st0rs143696/

They can rust away to nothing on that lot.

 

[mobilnissan1991]

You wont see me driving a Dodge/Ram. Definitely nothing from 1994 and up.

 

[dfarr67]

I drive a 2019 chev k1500, just had to put a tranfercase in it. I know there are alot of didge fanboys- anybody I know that have had them have had continuous problems.

 

[GMBoy]

Were I am every dealer lot is full - GM, Ford and everyone is loaded with trucks especially. This is not an issue that the trucks are no good because they actually are very good - the prices and interest rates are just too high and the economy is sucking people's money way in gas, food and other necessities that people can't "blow" money on non-necessities anymore.

 

[GMBoy]

There is no competition for them, and really never has been.

Not sure why since the mid 2000s Ram has been in trouble. The late 90s ram and early 2000s Ram were great Trucks.

A stock 99 Ram won "truck night in america".

I agree GM holds the market for large SUVs and I spent the last 25yrs of my GM career working on the 800/900/K2/T1 models so I am proud of them and can never understand why anyone would even look at another SUV brand especially the Fords! I will also say, to be fair, that Grand Wagoneer is a SWEET truck and has a much nicer interior than GM offers (which is true for any Ram truck vs GM as well) and I would probably buy one if I was in the market for new large SUV. As for Ram being in trouble, they aren't They are building great trucks with great transmissions (ZF8), best interiors and the sweet Hemi atleast until 2025. I own a GMC Sierra Denali and a RAM Limited so I can honestly saw what is best about each truck. I prefer my Ram.

 

[The Lube Guy]

This is America! Everyone has the right to basic transportation - as in four wheels with A/C, power windows, power door locks, cheap motor oil, filters & gasoline. It should be an amendment in the Constitution at this point.

What went so wrong that we can't have that anymore?

 

[OVERKILL]

Full-sized truck sales are down for both Stellantis and Ford. GM is up slightly. What's interesting is that Tacoma sales are down more than 50%: