Ram Continues To Eat At Chevrolet Silverado Sales
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It’s been a rough start for the latest-generation 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, and new sales figures show the pickup truck war only continues to heat up.
The Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday that the 2019 Ram 1500 continues to steal sales from the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 has held stable. The figures show Ram has continuously closed the gap with Chevrolet between 2017 and 2018. In the first quarter of 2019, Ram sold 120,026 pickups compared to 114,313 units for the Chevy. However, there’s more to the story.
General Motors has reiterated that its launch strategy involves rolling out higher-end trucks first, followed by more affordable trims and models. For the Silverado, that means Crew Cab models in higher trims were first to go into production in 2018, followed by the Double Cab and Regular Cab models – which started production in March. In addition, GM has held back significantly on incentives.
By comparison, Ram has placed a lot of money on the hoods of its new pickup, discounting almost every model of its new half-ton. A Chevy dealership in Dearborn, Michigan said the new Silverado has done good things for showroom traffic, but when they see the final price, they more often than not leave for a Ram dealer. Local incentives hover around $10,000 or even $15,000 for a brand-new Ram 1500. Chevrolet has been keen to keep incentives down, particularly on its new pickups. In each of the first three months of 2019, the brand has discounted only one Silverado trim level equipped with a particular package.
Obviously, more incentives eat into profits, which puts into question what FCA is making on the Ram trucks due to all the discounts. Yet, to the customer, a $200 per month difference for an auto loan or lease payment is a big difference that’s not working in Chevy’s favor. Once customers swap into a different truck, it’s hard to win them back as brand loyalty runs high.
A 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie. Photo: FCA
A Chevrolet spokesperson thinks those customers will come back and cited Chevy’s long-term strategy. Another GM spokesperson said, “almost 40 percent of Ram sales included 20 percent discounts.” Some question how long FCA can continue incentivizing a moneymaker like the Ram 1500.
On the other hand, it’s very good news for Ram. The new truck has carved out its own niche in luxury pickups and one analyst believes, at this current rate, that Ram will surpass GM as the number two truck-selling brand in one to three years, which would be an embarrassing fall from grace for The General as far as bragging rights go. But whether it will ultimately matter on the balance sheet is a whole different story.
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A higher price for Silverado makes no sense cause everyone out there in America is saying RAM is a better truck. Soon there will be big incentives for Silverado too.
Soon? It is already at $9,000 Rebates.
Not accurate. Half of the $9k is only available to non GM truck owners.
Momolos – please look at information related to the Silverado rebates. The incentives are not across the board, but rather on one body style with a specific trim level and with a specific package.
January:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/01/chevrolet-discounts-silverado-by-over-10000-in-january-2019/
February:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/02/chevrolet-discounts-all-new-2019-silverado-over-7000-february-2019/
March:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/03/chevrolet-discounts-all-new-2019-silverado-over-9000-in-march-2019/
Alex, I understand what you’re saying but you are missing the fact that regardless which models they have on offer right now or which ones actually receive the $9,000 Rebates, GM did not offer the Best In Class Truck. We all know this to be true.
Why are we making excuses for such a lackluster attempt by GM especially in the interior Department. Have you actually set in the new Ram truck? The Middle Tier Interior makes even a top line Denali trim look like it is from two Generations ago.
Ram threw everything at the new 1500 and GM did bare minimum to make a bigger profit. I am willing to bet that GM was completely blindsided by the new Ram truck. That is so embarrassing.
No Panoramic Roof
No air Suspension
No Electrification
No reclining rear seats
No Sliding Rear Seats
Tiny Infotainment screen
Horrible (borderline laughably) interior materials
Two Generations ago Design theme in the interior
I mean what else are we missing?
Now GM has best in class Beds and the GMC Tailgate is sweet. But in todays market, buyers look for everything especially when you consider the amount of money these trucks cost now.
Ram surveyed Luxury car owners to design their new interior, GM only talked to their own clients that currently own GM 1500’s
Do you not see the difference and why Ram ran away with the Truck of the Year awards? I mean GM has a much bigger budget for their trucks Program and Ram unfortunately cleaned their clocks out.
I personally will keep asking for more from GM. No way a company like Fiat/Chrysler should be embarrassing the General this bad in any segment let alone Trucks!!!
We all deserve better and we all need to keep reminding GM just how badly they messed this one up and needs to fix it ASAP!!!
Just my opinion but Ram sales are pretty much talking the same language.
No Panoramic Roof
No air Suspension
No Electrification
No reclining rear seats
No Sliding Rear Seats
Tiny Infotainment screen
Horrible (borderline laughably) interior materials
None of the qualities you listed are important to a good truck. At the end of the day, the Ram 1500 still has a terrible payload capacity that’s lower than most midsize trucks. The tow ratings of the typical Ram 1500 are unimpressive. The real world fuel economy is worse than the previous Ram and might be equal the Tundra’s terrible FE. The new version of the 8-speed is a mess. Somehow Ram managed to weaken an already notoriously weak IFS by replacing the aluminum control arms with cheap plastic control arms.
If you want a car with a balcony out back, the Ram is fine. If you want to use your truck to tow real weight or haul heavy stuff in the bed, the Ram is still a joke. The true reason the 2019 Ram 1500 is getting so many good reviews is because the people that are reviewing it are CAR GUYS. They almost never drive trucks. Motortrend? Car and Driver? Edmunds? They’re mostly LA guys that would rather review the latest BMW than drive truck. They certainly know very little about what qualities are most important to a truck. Soft riding suspensions and tech-y interiors are not it.
Your point about materials? It’s the 2019 Ram 1500 Limited that’s had leather seats falling apart already, water leaks because somebody can’t seem to remember to put seam sealer on the seams, Limited badges falling off the dash, touchscreens that glitch out and go black even after software updates, transmissions that won’t go into drive in the morning, dozens of different rattles that can’t be located, trim pieces falling off, brakes squeeling at every stop…
Exactly. The half ton Ram ceased to be a real truck when they stopped using a tried and true leaf spring suspension. They have struggled with payload and towing stability ever since. City boys are the only ones that think the Ram 1500 is a respectable truck these days. Even the Ram IFS is a joke. It’s been a joke for years. The previous Ram had tons of issues with weak ball joints and control arms. Even the front diff was famous for problems. For some reason Ram thought it was a good idea to go with these “composite” controls arms that are nothing more than a piece of stamped steel that’s so thin they mold plain old plastic over it to make it rigid enough to work.
Ram boasted about more payload capacity with the new Ram but judging by the message boards, most of these new Rams have an average payload of less than 1,500 pounds. Hook up a trailer to one and you won’t have enough payload to take the family with you. Truck of the year? LOL maybe for the metros that can’t even handle the ride of a midsize with leaf springs.
“None of the qualities you listed are important to a good truck.”
The problem with this mindset is that the market for trucks in the US today is changing. In one aspect, you are correct, GM will keep the customers who need the higher tow rating, payload capacity, etc. regardless of these new technologies and features. But the problem is that the designers at Ram are targeting a different customer base, and one that is willing to spend more money to get the features that turn into direct profits – the upper middle class, luxury truck buyers. If you look at sales numbers of the Denali line over the past few years, you’ll see that the desire for luxury features has increased steadily, and GM even brags about this! They know that customers are interested in the sunroofs, infotainment upgrades, etc. that the standard truck does not provide. This brings us to the biggest issue – these new customers DO NOT HAVE BRAND LOYALTY YET. They are looking to get in the truck game, and if your offering (looking at you GM) is not good enough, they will simply walk over to the Ram dealer where they can save money and get a more luxurious feel. GM is definitely missing the boat on an opportunity to draw in new customers and new brand loyalty for the future with this current offering of truck.
Exactly. Ram figured out before GM obviously that others purchase 1500’s as well. Not sure why some here do not comprehend that. Not every 1500 buyer needs it to DO TRUCK THINGS all the time.
NOTHING TOUCHES DENALI. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. DENALI TRIM IS LEGEND AND AS POSH AS IT GETS. NOT BARGAIN BASEMENT DODGE. CHECK THE PRICES. GMC DENALI IS THE ESCALADE OF PICKUPS. BAR NONE. IF YOU KNEW MANY OF THE SUPPLIERS FOR CHRYSLER YOU’D WONDER WHY THEIR TRUCKS COST LESS. FACT
I love that, FACT !!
Derek, are you the GM NON CUSTOMER services Derek ?
I have talked to a Derek at GM several times, GM still did nothing, but I’m sure the case numbers are closed.
Any way I have gotten told on this site that CAPS means your yelling.
Sounds about right, the Derek at GM yelled on the phone also !!
Took me 36 years of GM ownership to finally get a Denali. It was my first and might be my last.
Good luck with all those GM customer service calls. I’m sorry to hear GM is having trouble compared to the RAM. I bet as a loyal GM customer my opinion is really important to you !!
(in reply to a troll comment who has been flagged and deleted)
Is America saying Ram is a “better truck”, or is America saying Ram is a more affordable option?
Better where it counts in todays Auto Industry.
Air Suspension
48 Volt V6 and Magnum V8 engine choices
By a Million Times better interior than the GM Twins. Their Middle of the Pack interior is better than a Denali interior. What GM did is utterly embarrassing.
I was a loyal Silverardo owner, owning 4 in a row. I really liked the look of the new Silverado and was keen to get one when they first came out. However, I saw reviews comparing these trucks and the RAM was getting very positive reviews. I figured I had to check it out for myself before I made a final decision.
Holy cow, the RAM drove so nice compared to the clunky driving 2019 Silverado, and the inside was a class above. It had more standard features for the same price point I was looking for, and it was discounted 12K on top of that. Even if the discount was the other way around, I would still likely have switched to RAM.
You literally just argued the point he just made. The Ram is cheaper. The difference in ride quality is because the Silverado can haul 1800+ lbs in the bed and ride level. Without the horribly unreliable air ride, a 2019 Ram 1500 is dragging its bumper on the ground by the time you hit 1200 lbs in the bed. The 2019 Ram 1500 is litterally a really bloated midsize truck when it comes to payload capacity.
If you want a real truck, buy a GM or Ford. If you want a Dodge Charger with a balcony where the trunk was, buy a Ram.
Well I never use my truck for towing. I carry stuff in my bed infrequently, but I do it enough to need a truck. So from a capability perspective, any full size truck will work for me. For 90% of the time, I am more concerned about comfort and interior functionality. I suspect many truck owners fall into this category. In this regard, RAM wins hands down.
For most 1500 truck owners, the 1500 is more of a family vehicle like an SUV or car most of the time, with the ability to do other things that an SUV can’t when needed. This is what RAM gets and GM doesn’t. If I really cared about towing and load capacity, I would likely have gone for a 2500 or 3500.
From what I’ve been reading, BOTH!
I think BOTH !!
America is saying Ram is a better truck for the money !
Is it outright a better truck, in places I believe it is.
It just hit the point where GM is not worth more $$$$$$
There is no longer an added value !!
Probably some of both I think.
Dodge has always been Garbage dating back to the 1960’s, The Chevrolet has much better reliability and appearance, luxury also. The Dodge/Chrysler Corp. still haven’t been able to manufacture a Automobile that gives you a nice luxury ride and won’t fall apart in 8 years. This is why G.M. has always been first at the Race Track and on Sales.
If we were in court and I were the judge I’d dismiss that statement as hearsay. I’ve been driving Chrysler/FCA products since 2000 and they have all been awesome. Like most of the Big 3 they have had their bumpy spots but when you look at how they have responded to the market it is totally different than GM. They really are driven towards continuous improvement and value.
Couldn’t agree more. I used to drive Durangos and Chargers for work. Usually trouble free for the first 100k miles. After that, some repairs were necessary, but nothing major. Caprices on the other hand would throw error codes right out the gate. They never get fixed, you just get used to them.
You clearly don’t look at the most popular Ram forums. They’re literally inundated with threads about dozens upon dozens of quality and reliability problems with the 2019 Ram 1500.
EVEN THE CEO OF FCA ADMITTED THEY HAVE A QUALITY PROBLEM
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2014/10/30/fiat-chrysler-consumer-reports-betts-marchionne/18176163/
That was in 2014. Fast forward 5 years and they’re still saying that quality is a problem at FCA!
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2019/03/29/fiat-chrysler-quality-consumer-reports/3292743002/
It’s pretty obvious that facts are irrelevant here. Ever since PUTC shut down their comment section, all the haters started commenting here instead. It’s pretty widely known that Chyrsler has had quality issues going back decades. Year after year, terrible product after terrible product, they continuously land at the bottom of every quality survey.
That BS just continues about FCA reliability whether warranted or not. I own both GM and Chrysler products. Ram wouldn’t be selling nearly 600,000 trucks a year if they were as bad as you state. The biggest issue with all of the Brands is whether the company takes care of any issue that arises. General Motors has been losing favor over the last decade because they don’t properly take care of their customers.
YES !
YES !
YES !
Some one else gets it !
I’ve been saying this now for 3 years !
Three years of NON GM CUSTOMER SERVICE !!
If the automotive company realizes they have a problem and deals with it, it is SO, SO much better than feeling helpless talking to a GM customer service rep !
The Chrysler products I owner were absolutely horrible and their dealers did nothing to help make the pain less.
Ram is way better at towing, engines, interior, long lasting overll trucks, and there interiors are very nice Gm is on a lower level in comparison to me.
I’m buying a new truck, a RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn, a slightly countrified version of the Limited. I planned on a Sierra, but a ride / drive of friends new RAM convinced me that it was a significantly superior product.
How is the RAM doing? Production is running 400 units a day BEHIND demand, RAM wins this round.
I drive by SHA where the RAMs are built and I spent many years as a Chrysler IT contractor on my way to work at the GM tech center. Man they are CRANKING those babies out and driving them nonstop over the to Cassens transport lot. I had many GM trucks and still have my 1987 Grand National but I’ve been driving Ram since 2000 with zero issues.
Better truck? NOPE
The only people that believe that are the suburbanites that use their truck to haul groceries. To them, it doesn’t matter how durable the Ram’s wimpy plastic suspension is or how terrible the payload ratings are.
The 2019 Ram is selling because of tech gimmicks and car like ride quality. In reality, the Ram 1500 does a pretty mediocre job when asked to do real truck work.
It’s pretty obvious that facts are irrelevant here. Ever since PUTC shut down their comment section, all the haters started commenting here instead. It’s pretty widely known that Chyrsler has had quality issues going back decades. Year after year, terrible product after terrible product, they continuously land at the bottom of every quality survey.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67539&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1418551708
An interior redesign will go a long way for sale I believe. I think the exterior looks nice and has a fresh look. I also like the quiet cabin, large bed, and bigger cab…but I see the dash every time I drive and can’t fully get over how bad it looks. The 2020 model needs changes…not the 2022 model.
Are you trying to sell the dash or what is “for sale”? There is nothing wrong with the interior or dash, it is set up ideally for pick up use, you know what the truck was actually designed for. Just because some luxury car drivers like yourself complain it doesn’t mimic their Mercedes interior doesn’t mean anything is wrong with it. I certainly don’t want a massive touch screen ala Tesla wasting all that space, not to mention have you seen the issues customers are having with them? The trucks interior is great for truck uses and truck people, storage, big knobs and buttons, easy to use and identify. Stop complaining, it isn’t as car pretty but news flash, it isn’t a car and has to stand up and last to abuse, something I can say the Dodge won’t…
I could not agree with you more. It’s a truck, give me knobs!!
Yes, me too. I do not want a giant tv screen. Its the height that disturbs me and takes up the feeling of roominess that makes me like a pickup truck in the first place. And big knobs and buttons are just what we need when we drive with gloves on in the winter. Some of the “advances” such as a push button starter that allows me to keep my keys in my pocket are of little interest to me too. I want room, visibility, power, quiet, easy to clean.
You guys act like Ram doesn’t offer a Tradesman version with knobs, and every model in between can be optioned without the big screen. Your argument is garbage
The interior of the Tradesman is horrible. It’s worse than the last gen Trademan.
Did you miss the part where I said, “and every model in between can be optioned without the big screen”?
The only model that comes standard with that big screen, is the limited.
The silverado doesn’t do well in photos, it looks great in person though.
AND Ram hit it out of the park on their new truck. Interior, MPG, design.
AND Silverado/Sierra, while the interior is a nice update and added a lot of new features, an update wasn’t what was needed or asked for. They need a new interior layout asap. This current interior should’ve been a midcycle refresh on the 2017.
I also don’t like that a $30k Mazda or Honda has better autonomous tech than a $65k Silverado. Lane keep, radar cruise, automatic braking, should be standard on LTZ High Country, and an option on LT RST
Exterior wise you are correct. The interior is the opposite though. In photos it barely looks good enough but in reality it is way worse in real life. I have no idea what GM was thinking with their two Cash cows. How can they be that far off reality in todays Market is just crazy.
The interior isn’t up to par, neither is the buckboard ride. The choice is an easy one, pay more for a truck that’s like 1992, or less for one that’s up to speed with the times.
You’re partially right. Ram has charged forward in recent years with an idea that started with the last gen truck. Due to the inherent weaknesses of a coil spring rear suspension, the Ram 1500 struggled to compete with the real 1/2-tons. When work on the 5th gen Ram began, they knew they had to do something different to separate themselves from the two big guys that dominate the truck market. They decided that the 2019 Ram wasn’t going to try to be a 1/2-ton anymore. Instead they shifted to a strategy where the Ram 1500 would live in its own class of trucks: the 3/8th-ton. The 4th gen Ram 1500 forced them to take up the 3/8th-ton revolution and they perfected the 3/8th-ton with the 2019 Ram 1500. It’s a lighter than normal light-duty truck. Capabilities similar to a mid-size or 1/4-ton truck, but packaged in a full-size pickup.
LOL you’re right! I tried to put my finger on it but now it’s obvious. The Ram 1500’s newfound acceptance is because they’ve basically moved away from the half-ton class and created their own 3/8 ton class. They basically had to because they’ve failed for so many years trying to compete against the two companies that have the half-ton market on lockdown.
This actually does explain the Ram’s success in the last decade. They gave up on competing in capability and durability in the half ton market. So they transform the Ram 1500 into a lighter duty truck somewhere between the midsize and half ton where they only compete with themselves and sell to people that aren’t worried about how tough or capable their full size truck is. Instead its about less capability so the ride is better. That makes a lot of sense. I’ve known guys that bought a Ram 1500 in the last few years and were not impressed with soft rear suspension. The one said he wishes he had tried hooking it up to the truck he was considering before he bought it. He assumed it would handle the weight the same as his 2011 F-150 since they had similar ratings but the Ram felt like it was doing a wheelie.
The addition of an easily installed Air Lift bags inside the rear coils solves any sort of sag with heavy loads. The air suspension trucks will just level themselves out. Myself I love the ride the rear coil suspension gives and gladly gave up 200lb of cargo capacity. Remember GM was the one who pioneered rear coil springs in pickups in 1960.
I like the Silverado and Sierra, I love their advanced exterior styling and engineering. But I was horribly disappointed with the interior design, which was just a revamped previous gen design. Combine that with the break out interior design of the new RAM which is really market leading not to mention the new RAM series are handsome looking trucks in their own right.
Heads should roll at GM for this. They say their focus groups liked the previous gen interior and dont need much improvements. I think cost cutting prescribed and GM’s management are to be blamed.
Still would buy a Silverado Custom Trail Boss or a GMC Sierra AT4 over a RAM though!
My wife rode in the new ram 2500 and said it felt like a car, not a truck. The new Silverado gets bad reviews for this one reason. Fatty porche driver from motortrend like the ram that is built for the streets, yet cant work worth a darn, Also, truck loyalty isn’t finite. My dad moved to Chevy from ford due to motor reasons, and he ditched his jeep for repair reasons. my sister drove her first and last dodge car. at 15k of it is finiacially better to buy the ram and fix it down the road. Ram still has complaints on build quality on many parts, even if the engines are finnaly reliable with the rock solid hemi. My wife loves the new chevys. Shes a ford gal, but she says the new chevys say “work”
The New Silverado has a ride height that isn’t normal for a truck. It’s hood is similar to a person with a big nose. The RAM looks more modern, and posed compared to the Silverado. The ride height also plays another huge role. In GM’s vehicles, the interior always lags behind their competitors, mostly due to plastic being used in 80% of the interior. The only time you’ll see leather is on the steering wheel. The front design of the Silverado is not gaining traction with consumers along with the high MSRP. It’s a Lose-Lose situation.
I was completely made fun of and downright berated for my opinion when we first saw these 1500’s from GM and I said that unfortunately the Ram will destroy them. Looks like I was correct.
Those interiors are almost a complete joke. GM better have plans for a new one right away.
They gave potential Buyers lackluster Engine choices once again. Well unless you get the 6.2 which isn’t available on most Trims so who really cares. GM needs to rethink these 1500’s ASAP because Ford F-150 is right around the corner. And the EV version has already been caught out testing.
All these car drivers complaining about the interior, stay in the infiniti forums please. It is a truck interior and works that way in excellent fashion. They freshened it because people were happy with how well it worked, big knobs and buttons and a handy layout. They asked truck people not luxury car owners what works as that is what the vehicle is, a truck! They spent money in the key truck areas, the bed, engines, frame, etc. Lack luster engines? A new class leading diesel, a class leading V8, new fuel tech and new engines along with an all new and very potent entry level engine that will go great in other products like the mid sizers. You have no clue what you are talking about. You want a big fancy screen, go to a Dodge, let us know how reliability works out on that, already tons of problems with the screen alone on the forums. I certainly don’t want an air suspension, every seen those fail? Yeah, I have plenty of times. Although they work great as a helper spring…
Last I checked the Ram 1500 interior is a Truck interior as well or am I wrong?
The interior as used in the LT up to High Country would be okay in the lower Work truck and Trail Boss versions but it is not expectable in the 50-65K LTZ/High Country variants. if your paying this much money it had better compete. The new diesel may be class leading in HP and torque but what about fuel economy and real world driving dynamics. The 2.7 L-4 is a letdown especially in the MPG department and few truck buyers are apparently interested seeing as how none can be found in any Chevy dealer’s inventory. Hardly class leading. As for the 5.3 and 6.2 they are basically carryover with a new program that lets them run as little as one cylinder with zero increases in power/torque and MPG that is identical to last year’s old truck with the AFM engines. Again hardly class leading. I do agree that there is more to a truck than a larger touch screen but we are talking about today’s younger buyers who place far more importance on staying connected and fancy gadgets than the trucks themselves. As far as reliability goes all 3 have there fair share of issues so putting a label on just the Ram is just silly.
All these car buyers? They are the ones buying the majority of trucks! GM had better wake up fast!
Ram can sell all the 3/8th-ton trucks they like. The Ram 1500 has become so soft over the years that they gave up on competing with Ford and GM directly. Ram calls it a 1500 but it’s really a 750.
The wiser thing to do would be to wait for GM to complete the launch of the new Silverado and Sierra before deciding whether a model is a success or failure right in the middle of its launch.
Are you stating there will be another version of the Interior we should be waiting for?
No what he’s saying is that the new Silvie has only launched in one iteration.. the Crew.. and has yet to put Regular Cab and Double Cabs in any real numbers on the lots.. being that they just started to arrive at the end of March.. or better said.. the last part of the Quarter that is being reported on and used as a measurement of success versus the Ram.
IT WOULD LITERALLY BE LIKE saying the CRV is available in all its trims.. but the Equinox is only available in the LT Package, thus Chevy is selling less trims, while Honda is selling all trims.. but people who are negative to the point of nausea.. and uninvitees to parties, they are such pessimists.. have waited and waited to swoop in and call it a failure, not actually ignoring those facts, but reciting those facts and then pretending the facts don’t exist..
U Boba Fett are that guy.. as U were in another place I know. BTW… did a pretty interior become the reason why TRUCK buyers bought trucks. LMFAO.. This country is getting as soft as pudding
Momolos, If you think any Dodge is a good vehicle to purchase you don’t really know to much at all about any Automobile.
I never said it was. I said GM completely has botched all of its current interiors. They fail to realize (probably due to beancounters) just how important they are in todays market as well as best in class tech. Now if you know anything about the Auto Industry which by your comment you think that you do, how many people lease cars nowadays? So for a lot of people (especially the huge growing number of NON WORK NEEDED TRUCK OWNERS) they could care less about which vehicle will hold up best in the long run now do they? They just want the absolute most for the least amount as possible. GM interiors just do not hold a candle to the new Ram. We all know this to be true. We can try and lie to ourselves as GM has obviously chosen to do so or we can start to hold GM accountable as I have here for the past three or so years.
Not many people out there are purchasing $70,000 Denali trucks to beat the you know what out of it at the job site. Give me a break.
It’s too not to
And Ram trucks are amazing
I remember GM diesel engineering in the 80’s HA!!!
Can you say Cummins?
Even Chrysler has admitted that their quality and reliability are terrible and a problem they need to fix. They admitted it back in 2014 and they just admitted it again this last week. Anybody that looked at the Ram message boards can see that the 2019 Ram 1500 is a quality disaster. Total junk.
Clint, I am a 2017 Denali HD owner.
This is my take on the FCA or RAM quality issues.
The average person owning a vehicle knows they ALL, ALL have issues.
The buying public AVERAGE is changing.
Because the average buyer knows full and well that EVERY brand has troubles its now an issue of HOW the problems are being handled.
There are people on here and everywhere writing Dodge used to be this Chrysler used to be that. I know owners who have had this trouble, I know owners have had that trouble. I am 73 years old and I will tell you GM is a better vehicle, blah, blah, balh.
I have heard them all. So lets say ALL we read is true, EVERYONE is telling the truth.
RAM still wins this one. And is continuing to win. There core financial structure is different than GM or even Ford for that matter.
FCA is using this opportunity to buy a larger % of the market. When they sit around and plan they see the data and react. More RAM sold is more RAM resold. They know now going on about 20 years that RAM market sales are gaining and GM sales are loosing. GM on the other hand is or was SLOW to react. Always has been. they get caught up they are just barley equal.
As far as the this and that I personally have had GM troubles , I will no longer go into.
But I would much rather have GM say we have issues, we know it, and we are working on fixing them and learning how to make improvements. Or even recalling.
If you have trouble with GM however, first and foremost, they deny, then try to place blame, CUSTOMER service at GM is rude, GM just does whatever possible to avoid the problem, EVEN when it is WIDESPREAD and WELL KNOWN !!
So that is my 38 years of GM ownership quality disaster.
GM is no longer a reliable, trouble free, vehicle, any better than any other.
I just can’t figure out who is blowing smoke up who’s a**, that GM can’t figure out this is a CUSTOMER RELATIONS issue.
Just my opinion.
Long live GM !!
Enough said:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/04/gm-hit-with-class-action-lawsuit-over-alleged-8-speed-transmission-defect/
GM’s strategy of delivering 80% for top $$ then incentivizing seems to be as crappy everyone predicted. When you scrimp and deliver marginal value for your customers money, they’ll go where the value is better. GM Mgt must fix this problem or I predict the company is in serious trouble. I’ve not read a single article or blog that praises GM interiors… so why does GM continue to disappoint customers with crappy interiors? Because they’re cheap b@sstards, don’t care, or are incompetent… I’ll go with all the above… Every launch is critiqued with universal negatively which leads to the next one. They make zero decisions the market approves of including stupidly putting the Mexican make Blazer in Tigers Stadium… I mean are they THAT detached?
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/03/mexican-made-chevrolet-blazer-on-comerica-park-display-stirs-controversy/
GM scrimps on interiors to support a certain idiot CEO’s “triple zero” visions and “all electric” futures while at the same time spending billions to prop up their stock price to appease Wall Street analists.
Why can’t FCA fix their horrible bottom of the barrel quality and reliability? They’ve been a laughingstock for decades and even now, the only way they can sell their junk is by offering huge incentives and polished t*rds. Expensive Ram Limiteds filled with glitched out electrical systems and leather seats that are falling apart. They can’t even get their Chinese air bag suspension to work right.
I’ve been driving Ram since 2000 after my 3rd and last GMC pickup ate its engine at 60,000 miles. They have been dead on reliable and even though I work for GM I buy and drive Ram.
Ram has been at the bottom of every reliability list for decades. There’s a reason why Dodge Rams have the worst resale value of any half ton out there. They are a dumpster on wheels. I bought two Rams in the last 15 years and they were terrible. The interior fell apart, the transmission felt like it was slipping before the tires were even half worn. The 2nd one had MDS which is complete junk. Truck started running rough, throwing codes that said misfire but the cam was trashed instantly. Plus the front end ate ball joints like crazy. My 2014 Silverado has 130k on it and it runs great. No MDS problems no oil burning not junk front end problems.
Their air ride is a joke. It’s hilarious to see so many broken Ram 1500’s with the front end bottomed out and the back end jacked up. Broken down Rams doing the Cali lean for weeks waiting for a replacement suspension. That’s the downside. If you rely on air to hold your truck up, eventually it’s going to find a way to escape.
The 2019 Silverado’s just plain look bad in several areas. Quite a few lower cost models are starting to show up with the older 4.3 V6 and 6 speed and the MPG ratings are almost comical at 15/20. Meanwhile the Ram with the more advanced 305 Hp eTorque 3.6 is rated for 19/24. Then you have the older 5.3 AFM in certain versions rated at 15/21 when the newer more efficient 5.3 DFM engine is available with 16/22 ratings but those are higher trim level specific.
Comparing interiors leaves the Silverado’s seriously lacking in content, interior quality and surfaces and lack of color choices. It’s almost crazy that you have to go all the way up to a Silverado LTZ in order to get a std leather wheel, power seat, XM radio, lighted visor mirrors and numerous other things. In order to get these things on the volume LT trim you must spring for one of 3 expensive option packages that inflate the sticker well over 50K. On the Ram many of these items are included on the lower Big horn trim level and Ram is discounting those stickers far more than GM. A lose lose for Chevy/GMC.
Then you have the ride quality/handling which seems to be all over the place. In a towing comparison from Motor Trend the Silverado needed 9 oscillations to recover compared to 3 or 4 from the Ram and F-150. C&D said the Silverado’s ride was it’s biggest issue besides the interior. How do you get something like this so wrong?
This trucks last place finish in most comparisons is well deserved. When you do a half baked all new truck this is what happens and the last place sales behind Ford and Ram will just reinforce that point going forward.
“Quite a few lower cost models are starting to show up with the older 4.3 V6 and 6 speed and the MPG ratings are almost comical at 15/20. Meanwhile the Ram with the more advanced 305 Hp eTorque 3.6 is rated for 19/24. Then you have the older 5.3 AFM in certain versions rated at 15/21 when the newer more efficient 5.3 DFM engine is available with 16/22 ratings but those are higher trim level specific.”
EPA ratings have nothing to do with reality. It’s been demonstrated time and time again that the EPA’s ratings are a joke. Look no further than TFL Truck’s MPG loop fuel economy test. The 2019 Ram 1500 failed horribly over and over again. Or go check out the message board 5thgenram where guys are averaging between 12 and 15 MPG with their 2019 Ram 1500. That’s what happens when you use an ancient engine from 2003. Meanwhile the 2019 Silverado 2.7 turbo beat its EPA rating in TFL’s Tests and the 6.2 beat the 5.7 and 3.5 EB in highway MPG tests by TFL truck. The 2019 Ram is worse than the old truck in fuel economy.
FYI, you’re responding to one of the Red Blazer/QAnon/Machete Mary/GMA Hating predictable troll posters you referenced just yesterday.
Would you look at that… 26 down votes! Man, the power you wield! It’s almost… Jedi-like.. Now I understand how the troll gets his up votes.
Maybe if their new truck wasn’t ugly and the interior center pod didn’t take a step backwards in design , and they treated you better during customer service visits their trucks would be selling. As I watch the paint peel off of my 2015 GMC and have the experience of two family members who’s 5.3 with DOD that required major engine work at 120K miles, i am surely looking elsewhere for my next truck.
Yep this has an equal amount to do with that customer service !
O what customer service, Ha, Ha, Ha,
I didn’t think anyone had troubles with GM trucks, after all GM says there a better value and last longer Ha, Ha, Ha,
Hmm lets see. the 2018+ Ford F-150’s have major cam phaser rattles, timing chain rattles, major oil consumption, and some of the worst piston slap I’ve ever heard. Nope not an option there.
Ram 1500?? FCA could barely put together the same truck for 10+ years and have it be reliable. They have zero chance of improving their worst in the industry reliability and quality with the 2019 Ram. So far the quality control has been non existant. They even managed to ruin the few high points of the last gen truck including the ZF 8sp. Tons of transmission problems and they’re being given the runaround by FCA.
I have grown to really like the new Trail Boss, both trim levels, but what everyone is saying here is correct, the truck is not GM at it’s best or GM’s best effort at a truck. But maybe just a few little quick fixes could change things.
For one, the interior is very “truck” like, no luxury at all, but the limited choice of interior colors does not help a thing. You have black and kind of black, that’s not much choice. Really, the Gideon and Very Dark Atmosphere looks much better but it’s still not an improvement in quality and until recently, this color is limited on certain color choices ( i saw a red Trail Boss LT on dealer lot with this color but the Chevy website says it can’t happen). Why not offer a optional interior decor package, not a trim level, that costs more but dresses up the truck’s inside? It gives an individual a choice of how they want their truck to look. The front end is polarizing and that might not be a good idea. Maybe fix the stubby bumper and the “side burns” to a more traditional look and I think the truck is very handsome. Make the 6.2 an extra cost option on at least LT trims and up, the thought of an LT Trail Boss with a 6.2 kind of makes one forget the interior is full of black plastic, or maybe, not care. And nobody at GM will like this but drop the sticker price!!! Make that LT top out around $48k instead of $52K because if the sticker scares off a buyer before they get to the sales office, all those discounts for buying an All Star crew cab won’t matter!!
I don’t think the RAM is a better truck, but I do think FCA is listening to buyers more than GM!
When I went shopping for a new truck, I originally went to Chevy. I went and the dealership offered me a 2018 Silverado with a $10,000 down payment for 650 a month with interest. I declined and went to a dodge dealership. I got a 2019 dodge ram longhorn for 300 a month and I love it. The dodge ram is just a completely different truck and it shows and it also shows in the sales personnel as well. I could have gotten a top tier colorado zr2 for 10,000 dollars cheaper. It’s not even close to a competition
Those numbers don’t make any sense.
When you have a new class leader for ride and interior comfort for the same money, you can’t produce the same exact rubbish for the same exact money. Chevy is not competitive with the new Ram. Period.
Now throw in the fact that a worse product is being peddled for higher money…
I own a 19 Trailboss LT and have only owned Chevrolet’s my entire driving life (13 years). It’s a solid truck, and it’s good looking. But there is little else that it improves on vs my ’17 K1500 2LZ (MSRPs within $300 of each other).
Things I like better:
-Rear seat space/vents (Ford and Ram already there)
-Passive entry/push button start (competition already there)
-Heated steering wheel on LT (Ram already there)
-Side blind zone alert (competition already there)
-Dual exhaust exit (Ram already there)
-12 Rear tie down hooks (LET’S GO!! We have a winner)
I want to be Chevy Loyal. I’ve worked for the company for 4 years, I’ve been to awesome Chevy ran events. I hate that my mind is starting to justify buying a different brand. The Ram looks cool, rides better, has progressive tech/drivetrain options, has cool interior options, and it’s more affordable. The QRD (Quality, Reliability, Dependability) story Chevy tells is true of this truck, it’s quality save the interior, reliable, and dependable, but their market research that shows ‘QRD as customers’ top reason for choosing a vehicle’ must have some disconnect.
Price
Performance
Style
Options
seem to trump QRD by the decreasing market share for GM
Bottom line: GM hit a single when it needed a HR. RAM knocked it out of the park.
No argument , have to agree with you there. My problem with Chrysler products are reliability/QC, though to be honest their trucks have been standing up well.
GM’s interior design team went cheap on the interior by conveniently taking what their regular truck buyers told them as gospel showing a easy way out of spending money where the customer will spend most of his/her time.
GM’s inept management team plumbs new depths of stupidity by NOT giving the Silverado and Sierra their own interior designs. I mean, why the Sierra dont have its own unique interior dash?
FCA’s brands have been at the bottom of every quality list for years for a very good reason. The last gen Ram was made for years and they struggled to fix the mile long list of problems with it. Now they have a totally new truck and guess what… the quality stinks. Absolutely horrible quality control. There are brand new 2019 Ram Limiteds where they made it off the assembly line and through PDI’s with chrome trim one one side of the truck and matte black Trademan trim on the other side. HOW. DOES. THAT. HAPPEN????
Chevy and GMC are just plain UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you’re just plain blind. WOW. Your Wife/ GF (if you have one) must be a 400lb hairy cow if that’s your perspective. 😉
5.3 vs 5.7 – RAM
Ride quality – RAM
Exterior- RAM
Interior- RAM
Affordability- RAM
Uhhh.. I doubt it will take 3 years for Ram to pass GM in sales. The new silverados are ugly. The front ends look like an old man squinting his wrinkled up face.. or to make reference to GMs sponsored movie tramsformers.. like Optimus Primes butt crack.
Price is only part of the reason Chevy is stuck in the sales slow lane.
Chevy REALLY screwed up with the new Silverado. I’m not talking about looks, those are subjective.
I’m talking about GM’s persistent pursuit of cost cutting.
They are the only one of the big 3 who refuse to offer an electronic locker on their offroad models. Instead they still continue to use the clunky mechanical G80.
You can’t get a 2 speed transfer case with the max trailering package. How ridiculous is that? So people who actually need to use a truck as a truck better live in a warm climate and not need to get equipment to a muddy job site. Also the interior in miles behind Ram.
Ram really pulled out all the stops with their new 1500. GM seems to have just assumed that people would buy whatever they made because it’s a Chevy.
Ya but ram or dodge is not reliable had to many bad experiences with them. I dont care how much they discount them they are not worth it. When I buy a truck I want something that’s going to last and that’s Ford and GM trucks. Rams are like throw away trucks. If you’re going to get a ram and keep it for a couple of years I guess it would be ok. They don’t last that long especially in the construction field.
I’m 73 and have driven many miles. I love all machinery. Do all my own maintenance. Keep track of all my family, friends and neighbors vehicle. I suppose that’s the engineer in me. There are two things I know for sure about Dodge/Chrysler vehicles 1- it will definitely rust out faster than a Ford or Chevrolet product.
2- the modern HEMI engine is a poorly designed product. It chews up its own camshaft. I currently know two people who are having this problem repaired. Between 70,000 and 80,000 miles on each. Very common and very expensive problem. The dealer says the problem is so common the parts are on back order. This should be a class action problem.
These two problems should not happen to modern vehicles.
I’ve known a few people that owned Hemi 5.7 powered cars and trucks that have had cam problems. All were MDS engines. Usually it starts with misfire codes. Doesn’t seem like FCA has done anything to address the issue over the last 10 years.