[Accused]

So we all heard the news that RAM filled 8000 orders for the EcoDiesel between February 7th and February 10th. The onslaught has actually completely cleared out initial allocation. With the next batch being available in March.

One thing does concern me about such an initial mad rush, will there be subsequent demand? I don't think RAM will be able to enjoy this type of demand even for the second allocation in March.

I see two factors at play. First is the massive incentives piled onto RAM 1500's right now, sitting on triple digit days of inventory necessitates the need for incentive laden offers. I doubt these will be present much longer. The Second factor is how many people out there are actually in the market for a diesel and a pickup truck. I'm not saying theres not buyers but I am saying that its possible everyone who actually wants an EcoDiesel RAM is front loaded into initial orders and then we see demand taper off dangerously throughout the year.

Consider that RAM has forecasted that the EcoDiesel would have a take rate of 20%, using 2013 RAM sales numbers (355,673) you get a figure of 71,134 EcoDiesels which over 11 months (orders began in February remember) RAM should or would expect to move roughly 6,500 EcoDiesels per month...

 

[L.O.A.]

I think what will be even tougher for them is once the competition has their diesels out, Toyota being one of them. Ford was rumored to have an F-150 diesel but that got shot down.

 

[Diesel Washington]

Obviously demand will taper a bit, as it does with any new car. I think even the second delivery will be sold quite quickly. Maybe not quite as fast, but quickly.

I do agree that once other diesels are out the party might be over, but until then Ram is capitalizing on offering something that other companies simply are not.

 

[Fishman]

I think it's going to be a while on the Titan and others .I read that a guy went to a car show talked to a rep and he said that they didn't even no what transmission there were going to use.i just hope does a good job on these trucks and doesn't rush it.

 

[The Diesel Guy]

I think there are allot of people that are sceptical of the new 3.0L and will wait to see if it turns out to be a good or not.
If it does prove to be as good as they say, then I think It will take off big time.

 

[Fishman]

I ordered a eco and I hope it is a good truck.it seems to good to be true though.well see

 

[jhardie]

I guess I'm in for the 2nd round. Not 1 dealer local "able" to order. I don't know how I stumbled upon CarDirect, but they've been trying to find a dealer to order over the last week. The dude wrote back saying he's sorry that it's taking a lot longer than he anticipated.

 

[sparks]

I placed my order on Feb. 16th. I went to two dealers in an attempt to get the best price. The second one said they couldn't even place an order, that their computers wouldn't allow them to. This is five days after I got my original price from the first dealer. There's something wrong in the system if business walks out the door.

 

[tugboat]

I placed my order on Feb. 16th. I went to two dealers in an attempt to get the best price. The second one said they couldn't even place an order, that their computers wouldn't allow them to. This is five days after I got my original price from the first dealer. There's something wrong in the system if business walks out the door.

that is strange. they should be able to place their orders now.

 

[Scuba diver 71]

If the dealer is not the "business link" member, he might be limited with ordering. One of the dealers I visited was not allowed to order the 28M package that I wanted. Go figure.

 

[L.O.A.]

Weird how they're setup like this. I guess you can better your chances buy going to a more high traffic dealer

 

[sparks]

If the dealer is not the "business link" member, he might be limited with ordering. One of the dealers I visited was not allowed to order the 28M package that I wanted. Go figure.

That's interesting. It's their loss in terms of sales.

 

[tugboat]

If the dealer is not the "business link" member, he might be limited with ordering. One of the dealers I visited was not allowed to order the 28M package that I wanted. Go figure.

that is interesting.

i guess only high volume stores can order the ram diesel?

 

[romadrod]

that is interesting.

i guess only high volume stores can order the ram diesel?

Not true in my case. I went with a smaller dealership because of their friendly small town reputation. I ordered first day. Their lot was a fraction of the size of the ones in the city.

 

[Scuba diver 71]

Not true in my case. I went with a smaller dealership because of their friendly small town reputation. I ordered first day. Their lot was a fraction of the size of the ones in the city.

Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Chicago was trying to sign me up for Laramie Longhorn ecodiesel and finally when I insisted on package 28M they said that since they are not business link dealership they don't have that Limited option available to them. Luckily we have a bunch of other dealers here. So I went to Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Northbrook and ordered my Limited without a problem. It looks like the restriction only applies to Limited package.

 

[tugboat]

why would they limit packagers to certain dealers.. makes no sense to me

 

[Accused]

Obviously demand will taper a bit, as it does with any new car. I think even the second delivery will be sold quite quickly. Maybe not quite as fast, but quickly.

I do agree that once other diesels are out the party might be over, but until then Ram is capitalizing on offering something that other companies simply are not.

Obviously thats not true at all. Consider, this generation of RAM 1500 began production in 2008 for the 2009 Model Year. Here is the sales data:

2009: 177,268
2010: 199,652
2011: 244,763
2012: 293,363
2013: 355,673

Its clear to see that demand has been steadily INCREASING over the life cycle as opposed to tapering off as you asserted.

 

[tugboat]

wow lots of growth in 2013