GM Benchmarking Ram 2500 At Milford Proving Ground: Exclusive
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It’s no secret that automakers frequently benchmark vehicles from their rivals. For instance, we caught General Motors in the midst of evaluating the Jeep Wrangler way back in 2019 followed by the Ford F-350 Super Duty and the Volkswagen ID.4 just last month. And now, GM Authority spotted a 2021 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Laramie on the North South Straight of GM’s Milford Proving Ground.
The 2022 Ram 2500 offers two powerplants: the 6.4L V8 heavy duty Hemi MDS gasoline engine and the 6.7L I6 Cummins turbo-diesel engine. The 6.4L produces 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque while the 6.7L Cummins is rated at 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the 2022 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty offers a high-output (HO) version of the 6.7L rated at 420 horsepower and 1,075 pound-feet of torque.
With the HO 6.7L and structural optimizations for towing, along with an in-house hitch design, Ram claims that the 2022 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty has the highest tow rating in its class of 37,100 pounds with the available fifth wheel/gooseneck. With the conventional rear-mounted hitch, it can pull 23,000 pounds and has a max payload rating of 7,680 pounds.
By comparison, the latest 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD posts a max fifth wheel/gooseneck trailering rating of 36,000 pounds and 14,500 pounds with the conventional rear-mounted hitch, along with a max payload rating of 7,442 pounds. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD features a fifth wheel/gooseneck towing capacity of 18,510 pounds.
GM offers two powerplants for its heavy duty trucks – the 2022 Chevy Silverado HD (2500HD and 3500HD) and 2022 GMC Sierra HD (2500HD and 3500HD). The 6.6L V-8 L8T gasoline engine produces 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque while the 6.6L L5P V-8 turbo-diesel Duramax engine is rated at 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline engine is mated to GM’s 6-speed automatic, while the diesel connects to an Allison-branded 10-speed automatic.
The table below summarizes the heavy duty pickup trucks currently on sale, including rivals of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
| Vehicle | Engine | Fuel Type | Aspiration | Valvetrain | Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevy Silverado HD | 6.6L L8T V8 | Gasoline | Atmospheric | OHV 16-valve | 401 @ 5,200 | 464 @ 4,000 |
| 2021 Chevy Silverado HD | 6.6L Duramax L5P V8 | Diesel | Turbocharged | OHV 32-valve | 445 @ 2,800 | 910 @ 1,600 |
| 2021 Ford Super Duty | 6.2L Boss V8 | Gasoline | Atmospheric | SOHC 16-valve | 385 @ 5,750 | 430 @ 3,800 |
| 2021 Ford Super Duty | 7.3L Godzilla V8 | Gasoline | Atmospheric | OHV 16-valve | 430 @ 5,500 | 475 @ 4,000 |
| 2021 Ford Super Duty | 6.7L Power Stroke Scorpion V8 | Diesel | Turbocharged | DOHC 32-valve | 475 @ 2,800 | 1,050 @ 1,600 |
| 2021 GMC Sierra HD | 6.6L L8T V8 | Gasoline | Atmospheric | OHV 16-valve | 401 @ 5,200 | 464 @ 4,000 |
| 2021 GMC Sierra HD | 6.6L Duramax L5P V8 | Diesel | Turbocharged | OHV 32-valve | 445 @ 2,800 | 910 @ 1,600 |
| 2021 Ram HD | 6.4L HEMI V8 | Gasoline | Atmospheric | OHV 16-valve | 410 @ 5,600 | 429 @ 4,000 |
| 2021 Ram HD | 6.7L Cummins I6 | Diesel | Turbocharged | OHV 24-valve | 370 @ 2,800 | 850 @ 1,700 |
| 2021 Ram HD | 6.7L Cummins I6 HO | Diesel | Turbocharged | OHV 24-valve | 420 @ 2,800 | 1,075 @ 1,800 |
As GM Authority reported last month, the 2023 Chevy Silverado HD Duramax and 2023 GMC Sierra HD Duramax are set to receive engine updates with a boost in power and torque. The upgraded diesel powerplant is expected to make 505 horsepower and 1,085 pound-feet of torque. These engine upgrades are expected to be in conjunction with the heavy duty pickups’ respective refreshes, otherwise known as mid-cycle enhancements, that will include new front fascias and overhauled interiors similar to those found on the refreshed light duty models.
Now that the refreshed 2022 Silverado 1500 and 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 have been announced, we expect the 2023 Silverado HD and 2023 Sierra HD to be unveiled next year and launch toward the end of the 2022 calendar year or the beginning of 2023. We’ve already spied both trucks undergoing testing, with the most recent shots revealing new details of the revised front fascias. That said, the debut and launch timeframe could still be subject to delays as a result of the ongoing global semiconductor microchip shortage and other supply chain disruptions.
Heavy duty trucks are extremely profitable for those automakers that offer them, and analysts believe they may be even more profitable on a per unit basis than their light duty counterparts.
Chevrolet Silverado Sales Detail - Q3 2021 - USA
| Model | Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 | Q3 2021 | Q3 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | -16.6% | 123,067 | 147,484 | -0.1% | 414,389 | 414,650 |
| Silverado LD | -18.4% | 88,306 | 108,203 | -4.6% | 296,286 | 310,593 |
| Silverado HD | -12.8% | 32,550 | 37,322 | +11.7% | 110,980 | 99,374 |
| Silverado MD | +12.9% | 2,211 | 1,959 | +52.1% | 7,123 | 4,683 |
GM heavy duty trucks sales are on the rise, with their growth rate outpacing that of the light duty counterparts during the first nine months of the 2021 calendar year. Silverado HD sales saw a 12 percent bump to 110,980 units while sales of the Silverado LD fell 5 percent to 296,286 trucks.
During the same timeframe, Sierra HD sales posted a 13 percent increase to 54,652 units over Sierra LD sales grew at a slightly slower pace of 8 percent to 136,534 trucks.
GMC Sierra Sales Detail - Q3 2021 - USA
| Model | Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 | Q3 2021 | Q3 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | -22.2% | 52,774 | 67,812 | +9.5% | 191,186 | 174,645 |
| Sierra LD | -20.6% | 37,637 | 47,397 | +8.3% | 136,534 | 126,063 |
| Sierra HD | -25.9% | 15,137 | 20,415 | +12.5% | 54,652 | 48,582 |
Ram parent, Stellantis, does not break out sales of light duty from heavy duty counterparts, nor does it break out sales of the last-generation Ram Classic from the current-gen Ram. Hence, we’ll just compare sales of all Silverado and Sierra trucks to all Ram trucks.
During the first nine months of 2021, Ford F-Series led America’s full-size pickup truck market with a 32 percent segment share, followed by Ram Trucks (which include the Ram 2500 HD seen here) at 26 percent followed by Chevy Silverado at 25 percent and GMC Sierra at 11 percent.
Full-Size Pickup Truck Sales - Jan-Sep 2021 - USA
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD F-SERIES | -9.20% | 534,831 | 589,034 | 32% | 35% |
| RAM RAM PICKUP | +8.04% | 434,772 | 402,410 | 26% | 24% |
| CHEVROLET SILVERADO | -0.06% | 414,389 | 414,650 | 25% | 25% |
| GMC SIERRA | +9.47% | 191,186 | 174,645 | 11% | 10% |
| TOYOTA TUNDRA | -15.36% | 65,013 | 76,814 | 4% | 5% |
| NISSAN TITAN | +17.36% | 22,772 | 19,403 | 1% | 1% |
| TOTAL | -0.83% | 1,662,963 | 1,676,956 |
GM trucks combined give the automaker a leading segment share of 36 percent, four percent higher than Ford. Rounding out the segment are the Toyota Tundra with 4 percent and the Nissan Titan at 1 percent.
We’ll have more about the 2023 GM heavy duty trucks soon, so stay tuned and be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Silverado news, Chevy news, GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Are the Fords numbers including 450-550? Where I live and work (NJ) Ford completely dominates work trucks. 80%of work trucks are Super Duty ,15%Gm, 5% Ram.
Ford includes all “F” series. That includes all 450,550 and even 6/7/850’s, though the latter is only a few thousand a year. That part of the reason Chevy started counting the MD Silverado’s in “total Silverado sales” it seams. I think a lot of sales are almost a regional thing. Around here it seams farmers and ranchers prefer Chevys, while towards the city, suburban blue collars prefers fords. That’s a hard judgement as even by townships you can have a town that has a Ford supplier, and the supplier discount almost guarantees it’s a Ford dominated region.
In my area I’d say Fords are the most dominant I see for commercial use but I’d say Ram has become number 2 with GM coming up the rear. I have to give Ram credit for a philosophy of slow and steady continuous improvement since 2009 when they became their own entity. They make a solid platform and I think have responded to their customers pretty well.
Agreed – pre-2019 I wouldn’t have seriously considered a Ram.
Now, it would be my first choice for a new truck in a 1500-series platform.
The HD models though are still using the Gen 4 frame/cab which is very limiting in interior space.
Towing war numbers really don’t tell much. Anyone towing well north of 12,000 lbs know that only a dual rear wheel setup is needed, but most important is handling and durability.
The way i do the numbers (ytd 21 ford 534,831 divided by total sales 1,662,963 is 32% not 35%)
I work on all makes and models therefore I can assure you that the Ram trucks are better put together than all others. I used to be a die hard Chevy man but got tired of rebuilding transmissions, camshafts, lifters, front suspension components, ac condensers, fuel pumps, the cheap leather seats cracking, and dash components fading. Ford has some of the same problems with their engines and transmissions but the GM products are cheap built. They have definitely turned me away
GMC is rocking in 2021 even with supply shortages, and since 2020 refresh GM has captured good HD marketshare, with the 2022-2023 refresh I expect GM will continue to gain marketshare in the premium and HD pickups (where the huge profits are)
In 2020 and 2021 (so far) GM was the #1 full size pickup producer in the USA. Hard to imagine GM is doing it with designs that are loved or hated, and an interior that is behind the competition.
jake?? Where is jake?? On another article, he blasted me for saying something nice about the Ram. I think jake needs to read this article to help understand why Ram is where it is.
Ram has done great in the market since 2019, leading growth. I see GM’s upcoming refresh, slowing that growth, increasing GM’s leading market share position in pickups.
People love an underdog not to mention the transformation over at RAM is pretty amazing. Dodge Ram was never a serious contender so the auto press keeps drooling.
I am impressed that FCA, with limited resources, was able to build a real Detroit 3 rival. This is the same company many in the auto press doubted was capable of building Alfa Giulia (“does it actually”, they asked) or even a proper platform for Pacifica.
Old FCA was GREAT with interiors & this has been a deal breaker for that new segment of truck buyers who use them as family vehicles instead of work tools.
Hope this continues under Stellantis.
I own all 3 HD trucks of the Big 3 . 2019 Denali 2500 diesel, 2021 Ram 3500 Mega cab HO with Aisin , and a Brand new 2022 Ford F350 king ranch, hands down the Ram Cummins Ho out pulls GM and The ford. You hook the Ram to a trailer and its going to roll with you. truck wants to do nothing but work and pull. The ford comes in second, and the ford is a faster truck off line. Gm is a good every day driver because its weak. Ram can be cumbersome in everyday traffic, ford is most comfortable, Ram has the dumbest mirrors on the market , Gm trucks are cheap made , unfinished exterior black cheap plastic, blown plastic interiors , cheap thin seats, black only interior and it gos on with GM junk. My ram gets a lot of compliments , Ford has good quality.
What trim is your GM truck? Work truck? I call bull on your entire anecdote.
“2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD posts a max fifth wheel/gooseneck trailering rating of 36,000 pounds and 14,500 pounds with the conventional rear-mounted hitch”
No, 14,500 lbs is the GVWR