For this week's North American International Auto Show, Chrysler has officially unveiled the 2009 Dodge Ram truck - the first truck ever to feature Sirius Backseat TV.
Chrysler is looking to make waves with this all-new redesigned truck, featuring their first-ever crew-size cab, giving Dodge an entry into the largest and fastest-growing part of the market. Crew-size cab sales accounts for nearly 50% of market share.
The interior is fastly improved as well (driven by consumer demand of "rough on the outside, smooth on the inside" offerings from automakers). The Dodge Ram's interior now sports premium seating, soft-touch materials, redesigned controls, floor console with shifter, and nearly double the storage options.
Infotainment choices include Chrysler's MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system available in the Quad Cab and crew cab.
And rounding it all off is Sirius Backseat TV - for the first time ever in a truck - and the segment-first surround-sound audio.
More than anything, it seems that Sirius Backseat TV is an added value for automakers (currently, only Chrysler) meant as a differentiator against competitors. Whether that will drive subscribers is unknown right now, but it definitely adds brand-awareness (plus it doesn't hurt to remain on the good side of OEMs).
Full Disclosure: I own a Dodge Ram, and I really really like it.
Great it has "Backseat TV" now all it needs is a BACKSEAT! I mean am i blind or is that a pick-up truck?
You'd be surprised as to how many people cart around kids in the backseat of their trucks. Four-door trucks are a huge seller, not just for lugging around a bunch of guys to the job site, but for dropping the kids off at school as well. Again, I'm not sure if it'll lead to a large number of subs signing up, but it's exposure for Sirius even so.
Either way, it's yet another line item (and marketing pitch) that Dodge can use to say they're better than the competition. Even if it is rarely used.
Ryan,
time to trade up, try my F-250 Super Duty 7.3 L powerstroke. :-)
I rather be Stroked than Ramed!
This is very "pretty" looking truck. Visually it appears to have increased in quality, but I have a few negative comments.
1. This is obviously designed for those that will not primarily be using it for a work truck. The "soft touch" materials do not fair well with those that put it it to use as a work truck. A more tough skinned interior should also be made available and given just as much air time. After all a good amount of the truck are sold to contractors etc, that like the idea of comfort but absolutely cannot do without the durability. The idea that they can choose comfort with a Rhino-tough interior would go far to sell to what I see as the primary truck purchasing demographic.
2. The Center Console! What a phenominal abuse of space. This is a bad idea all around. Not only does the addition of the center console limit driver/passenger space significantly, it also creates one more thing to get scratched up and catch bits of everything. This truck would really suit larger construction worker types, but the fact is that these are rough and dirty people. Every little thing will get caught in that center area and end up just being annoying.
Dodge has not really changed the exterior design of their truck. Chevy,Ford,Toyota are constantly changing the whole but Dodge has had that design since 1994 or 95. They need to think of a total redesign before I change my mind that the truck is ugly.
Hi Jasper,
I think you should do a couple of things...Google Dodge ram and look really carefully....do you see the changes?The fact is this, Dodge has changed their design a number of times 4 since it first appeared...you are entitled to your opinion all though it may be an un educated one!Ford liked the design so much that they borrowed heavily from it with the suoer duty!Toytota liked the design so much that they to borrowed healvily from it with the new Tundra....I'll bet you own one of these two trucks?Don't you? and finally GM....Their design is simply a Ford copy...they all copy each other!