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Dodge Ram to be sold In Aus.

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ATECO Automotive and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group have joined forces to convert Ram pick-up trucks to right-hand drive for the Australian markets, announcing the new venture – dubbed ‘American Special Vehicles’ – this week ahead of sales commencing later this year.

The confirmation this week has Ateco Automotive as the joint-venture partner with Walkinshaw Automotive, with Ryan Walkinshaw revealing that his company – which has been preparing for a future without the Australian-built Holden performance cars that underpin the HSV range – had invested “millions” into the Ram project. The pick-up trucks will be imported directly to Melbourne from the factory – in both Warren, Michigan, and Saltillo in Mexico – and converted from left- to right-hand drive on a “purpose-built production line” at Walkinshaw’s Clayton facility.
“Our engineers and manufacturing teams have relished the challenge of designing hundreds of OE quality parts, and implementing a completely unique build process,” Mr Walkinshaw said.

“The objective was very clear – produce a right-hand-drive Ram pick-up that meets the engineering standards, quality, and refinement of the left-hand-drive product.

“We have invested millions of dollars and tens of thousands of man-hours to ensure we met our objective – the Ram pick-ups engineered by American Special Vehicles set a new benchmark and I couldn’t be more excited. They are absolutely spot-on.”

Ateco Automotive will lend its “import, distribution, network, sales and marketing expertise” to the program.

According to Ateco and Walkinshaw, the right-hook Ram trucks will be produced with full volume import approval, “meaning they will be fully compliant with Australian Design Rules and that American Special Vehicles will be the sole importer of Ram models covered by that approval”.

The vehicles will be covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty “along with full parts and service support”.

A revised on-sale date – originally scheduled for September this year – is still to be provided, although the companies say the first models will be available before the end of this year.

Further details on the model range, specification, pricing and dealer network are expected soon.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

UNSEALED 4X4 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW CRAIG LOWNDES 

We talk to six-time Bathurst 1000 winner (and four wheel drive nut) Craig Lowndes on being a motorsports champion; and how driving a 4X4 across Australia helps him when he’s behind the wheel of his 635bhp Mount Panorama-conquering race car.

Oh yeah, he also owns a classic four wheel drive, which just makes us like him even more. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

 

IRONMAN 4X4 TOWNSVILLE STORE NOW OPEN 

Just last week, Ironman 4X4 opened their latest store at 4WD Central in Townsville. The grand opening featured a huge showroom packed with products, a jumping castle for the kids, display vehicle and comp trucks. There was also heaps of great deals up for grabs over the weekend, so if you’re in the greater Townsville area, drop in and say g’day to the lads and see if you can’t grab yourself some gear for your next adventure while you’re there.

 

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WILLOWGLEN CHALLENGE 2015

The team from the TLCC took out their 6th Challenge, with a 200-point margin over second place.
The team from the TLCC took out their 6th Challenge, with a 200-point margin over second place
Crown favourite Ziggy Koeck powering the bent banana Range Rover through the very deep 40-point section of the mudhole stage, on his way to 11th place overall.
Crown favourite Ziggy Koeck powering the bent banana Range Rover through the very deep 40-point section of the mudhole stage, on his way to 11th place overall
A broken lower trailing arm while tackling the 'All Shook Up' stage caused absolute carnage under the Suzuki Sierra of Michael and Les Tot
A broken lower trailing arm while tackling the ‘All Shook Up’ stage caused absolute carnage under the Suzuki Sierra of Michael and Les Tot
Team Vitara's Andrew Stanton and Shaun Goonerante discovering that you don't need visibility to reach the end of the mudhole!
Team Vitara’s Andrew Stanton and Shaun Goonerante discovering that you don’t need visibility to reach the end of the mudhole!
The ACT's Jason Neiberding and Greg Finlay send the dirt flying in Sunday's Tyred and Twisted stage
The ACT’s Jason Neiberding and Greg Finlay send the dirt flying in Sunday’s Tyred and Twisted stage
Glenn Odlum and Ross Davidson send the dirt flying while attempting the final straight in the Tyred'n'Twisted stage, driving one of only two Ranger Rovers competing this year.
Glenn Odlum and Ross Davidson send the dirt flying while attempting the final straight in the Tyred’n’Twisted stage, driving one of only two Ranger Rovers competing this year
Shellharbour's Gavin Kissell and Brendan Rose becoming one of the few vehicles to reach the finish of the Rockin'n'Rollin stage, helping them to 3rd place for both individual and team placings.
Shellharbour’s Gavin Kissell and Brendan Rose becoming one of the few vehicles to reach the finish of the Rockin’n’Rollin stage, helping them to 3rd place for both individual and team placings
Luke Cousemacker and Jake Stagatt from Bateman's Bay doing their best to keep the big GQ's diffs in one piece as they hit one of the All Terrain stage's nasty hillclimbs
Luke Cousemacker and Jake Stagatt from Bateman’s Bay doing their best to keep the big GQ’s diffs in one piece as they hit one of the All Terrain stage’s nasty hillclimbs
Mick Summerrell eyeing off the top of the Gullied Out hillclimb in his chopped 60-series Land Cruiser. Following a breakage the day before, the engine was being held in place by a series of ratchet straps!
Mick Summerrell eyeing off the top of the Gullied Out hillclimb in his chopped 60-series Land Cruiser. Following a breakage the day before, the engine was being held in place by a series of ratchet straps!
Rick Sammons and Matt Barham showing how it's done on Rockin 'n' Rollin, leading a group of four Suzuki Vitaras to 5th place overall
Rick Sammons and Matt Barham showing how it’s done on Rockin ‘n’ Rollin, leading a group of four Suzuki Vitaras to 5th place overall
Denny Danis and Adam Paviour from Picton 4x4 get their Hilux all crossed up as they tackle the final straight on Saturday's Up The Creek stage
Denny Danis and Adam Paviour from Picton 4×4 get their Hilux all crossed up as they tackle the final straight on Saturday’s Up The Creek stage
Steven & Sabrina Johnstone demonstrating the travel of their Hilux on their way to a stage manager's award for successfully completing the Up The Creek stage
Steven & Sabrina Johnstone demonstrating the travel of their Hilux on their way to a stage manager’s award for successfully completing the Up The Creek stage
You know you're stuck when they call in the excavator, as Brindabella 'Leftovers' Peter and Andrew Kobold discovered
You know you’re stuck when they call in the excavator, as Brindabella ‘Leftovers’ Peter and Andrew Kobold discovered
The Blue Mountains Club's Shane 'Slim' Loder going hard 'Up The Creek' in his beautifully presented twin-chassised Hilux
The Blue Mountains Club’s Shane ‘Slim’ Loder going hard ‘Up The Creek’ in his beautifully presented twin-chassised Hilux
The Canobolas' father and son team of Glenn and James Gosper making short work of the Spider's steep, loose final hillclimb
The Canobolas’ father and son team of Glenn and James Gosper making short work of the Spider’s steep, loose final hillclimb
Reece Warnecke and Karl Gibbens give it all they've got as they bounce their way up the dry, rocky creekbed of The Waterfall in their battered turbo-diesel 80-series.
Reece Warnecke and Karl Gibbens give it all they’ve got as they bounce their way up the dry, rocky creekbed of The Waterfall in their battered turbo-diesel 80-series
An unlucky bounce for 'Tigger' on the Waterfall left the Vitara with a few bruises, but it was soon back on its wheels and completing the remainder of the event.
An unlucky bounce for ‘Tigger’ on the Waterfall left the Vitara with a few bruises, but it was soon back on its wheels and completing the remainder of the event
First time competitors Alan McKenzie and Michael Stokes from the ACT 4WD Club getting some air time as they climb Step'n'Up in their touring-class Hilux
First time competitors Alan McKenzie and Michael Stokes from the ACT 4WD Club getting some air time as they climb Step’n’Up in their touring-class Hilux
Steven & Sabrina Johnstone from the Macarthur club about to score some bonus points on "Step'n'Up", helping them to second place (individual).
Steven & Sabrina Johnstone from the Macarthur club about to score some bonus points on “Step’n’Up”, helping them to second place (individual)
Matt Van Gelderen and Brett Garvin from the Brisbane waters club make short work of Friday's night event, in their SWB Maverick
Matt Van Gelderen and Brett Garvin from the Brisbane waters club make short work of Friday’s night event, in their SWB Maverick