Dodge Extends 'Ram Tough' Muscle and Performance with Introduction of 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dual Rear

* Best-in-class claims include acceleration, towing, torque, oil change intervals, interior room, largest brakes and GCWR * Built directly for commercial customer use with exceptional upfit, towing and carrying capabilities * Available in regular or Quad Cab(TM) models with 11,000 lb. GVWR and best-in-class carrying capabilities * Typical applications include utility/service bodies, flat beds, stake bodies, landscaping, dry box, aerial devices, rancher bodies and catering applications

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 16 -- Further expanding its array of business and commercial work-truck applications, Dodge introduces the new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 dual-rear-wheel model.

Available in regular and Quad Cab(TM) models and packaged with full-size Ram capability, Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually offers commercial work-truck customers easy upfit capability thanks to frame rail rear spacing of 42 inches, along with "Ram Tough" performance and versatility found only on the market's most powerful heavy-duty pickup trucks.

"Staying true to Dodge Ram's bold, tough, in-your-face attitude, the new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually offers the right combination of versatility, performance and power to meet the demanding needs of our heavy- duty commercial work-truck customers," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President - Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. "With both styling and interior comfort, the Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually model is as durable as it is powerful, and is designed to work as hard as its commercial customers do."

Offered in ST, SLT and Laramie models and instantly recognizable with its massive, signature Dodge crosshair grille, the new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually provides heavy-duty towing and payload capability with a maximum 11,000 lb. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), maximum payload capability of 5,550 lbs., and best-in-class maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 23,000 lbs.

Ensuring superior performance for commercial use, the new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually is built on the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty structure and offers significant power and capability with the leading powertrain combination in the heavy-duty segment: the 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 or the fuel- efficient 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel.

The standard 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine produces 345 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. Versus competitive vehicles with similar size gasoline engines, it provides best-in-class acceleration and towing capability.

Generating 325 horsepower and a class-dominating 610 lb.-ft. of torque -- the most torque available in a production heavy-duty box-off model -- the Cummins Turbo Diesel has overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000-mile advantage over the competition. With best-in-class oil change intervals of 15,000 miles (versus 7,500 for the competition), the inline-six Cummins Turbo Diesel is unrivaled among typical V-8 diesels, adding durability, simplified assembly, better reliability and lower repair costs to its repertoire.

Upfit-friendly and demonstrating heavy-duty pickup truck capability and power, the new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually features 17-inch wheels and tires, a large 35-gallon fuel tank, cab-to-axle dimensions of 57 inches and an adjustable fuel filler kit allowing upfitters flexibility in locating the fuel fill to meet end-users' needs.

The Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually reinforces Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup market -- and Dodge's commitment to its emerging commercial vehicle program -- by successfully blending the needs of the commercial truck and heavy-duty pickup truck markets. Offering superior capability and strength with enhanced handling, safety and power, the new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually raises the standard among heavy-duty pickups, delivering the commercial performance and amenities that business customers demand.

Color offerings include Atlantic Blue, Bright White, Flame Red, Black, Bright Silver Metallic, Patriot Blue, Light Khaki Metallic, Inferno Red and Mineral Gray Metallic.

The Dodge Ram 3500 Box-Off 4x2 Dually is built at DaimlerChrysler's Saltillo, Mexico assembly plant.

Dodge Brand

With a U.S. market share of seven percent, Dodge is Chrysler Group's best- selling brand and the fourth-largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2004, Dodge sold more than 1.4 million vehicles. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market segment with a 20 percent U.S. market share and maintains an 18 percent share of the highly competitive truck market. In 2006, Dodge will enter key European volume segments.