Dodge continues to make gains in commercial vehicle market

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Dodge continues to move ahead and maintain its commercial market onslaught while further extending its bold, Ram-tough leadership and heritage into the commercial vehicle market.

In setting the new commercial standard, Dodge now offers a full line of Class 2-5 commercial vehicles. Led by three exceptionally powerful, capable and durable work trucks, the Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs – which compete in the Class 3-5 medium-duty segments – the brand’s commercial program is anchored by the Dodge Sprinter, the market’s top-performing full-size van, and the ultimate small business transport solution, the Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van.

Last year Dodge extended its reach into the Class 4 and 5 medium-duty markets with the all-new Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs which offer best-in-class fuel economy that is 14 percent better than comparable Ford models and 23 percent better than Chevy and GMC. Dodge continues its climb in the medium-duty segment and has achieved a 16 percent share of the Class 4 and 5 retail market in less than one year.

Industry-wide, Dodge is a distinct bright spot this year leading all other manufacturers with Class 3-5 half-year growth of 132 percent versus the same six-month period in 2007. For Class 3, Dodge grew 102 percent and for Class 4-5 is up 100 percent. In total, through the first six months of 2008, Dodge increased its retail market share to 21 percent for the Class 3-5 segments.

In 2007, Dodge sold 33,500 commercial vehicles, a 285 percent increase over 2003 when the company returned to the commercial vehicle market. Through the first half of 2008 Dodge sold 20,177 commercial vehicles, a 123 percent increase over the same period in 2007. Dodge is now firmly entrenched as the fourth largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles sold in the U.S.

With the 2007 introduction of the Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs, Dodge’s Ram-tough heritage and legacy now extends into the Class 5 medium-duty segment. Boasting best-in-class fuel economy and low ownership costs, Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs have carved a 16 percent retail share of the Class 4-5 segments.

This success follows the prior introduction of the Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab which, after being in the market less than one year, quickly bolted to the forefront capturing the number-one ranking in U.S. retail registrations and market share from the perennial leader, the Ford F-350, in the Class 3 conventional chassis cab market. Through June 2008, Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab maintained an average retail market share of 27 percent.

Delivering maximum uptime while showcasing dominant commercial-grade capability, durability and dependability, Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs feature numerous class-leading attributes and are the ultimate chassis cabs for commercial customers looking for dynamic, capable work trucks. Targeted at small-business tradesmen, fleet customers and traditional chassis cab users, Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs are formidable anchors to Dodge’s commercial vehicle lineup.

With its 2003 introduction, the Dodge Sprinter completely changed the standard for full-size vans. Through July 2008, Dodge sold 9,501 Sprinters, representing a 21 percent increase over the same period last year.

In addition to class-leading fuel economy and lowest ownership costs, Dodge Sprinter offers the segment’s most best-in-class advantages, world-class quality, innovations, design and performance, comfort and safety, and builds on Dodge’s rich commercial heritage, bolstering the company’s position as a leading player in the commercial vehicle market. Beyond its appeal to a wide range of customers in traditional and niche market vocations, Dodge Sprinter has quickly become a preferred vehicle of choice embraced by the market’s major courier companies including FedEx, UPS and DHL.

In addition to great commercial vehicles, also supporting the company’s commercial market success are innovative customer offerings including a new national dealer program, Fleet Elite. With a goal of providing a world-class dealer experience to Fleet and Fleet Management Company (FMC) accounts and customers, Fleet Elite is a dealership certification program that is designed to ensure that business customers receive enhanced service and support with specialized facilities, staffing and processes to meet their specialized needs. Leveraging the Five-Star certification process, target dealers are selected based on their volume of courtesy deliveries, “fleet-friendly” practices and expertise with the company’s coveted Five-Star program. Fleet Elite certification is awarded to select dealerships that have demonstrated that they are focused on treating and retaining fleet customers as they would a retail customer. Combined with other initiatives including “On The Job” and Dodge BusinessLink, dedicated commercial programs help deliver a superior service experience to business customers.