Consumer Guide Names All-New 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Best Buy for 2009

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 named "Best Buy for 2009" in the Large Pickup category

All-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues its assault on the pickup truck segment, winning yet another award for a total of 11 since its introduction

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., February 4, 2009: The all-new Dodge Ram pickup continues its winning streak, taking home Consumer Guide's "Best Buy for 2009" in the Large Pickup category.

"Dodge Ram gets our Best Buy nod thanks to its composed ride, impressively comfortable and quiet cabin and unique cargo storage features," said Tom Appel, Associate Publisher - Consumer Guide Automotive. "Ram is also remarkably maneuverable for a large pickup truck."

Since 1967, Consumer Guide has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks. Its staff of 16 includes 10 full-time automotive editors with more than 150 years of combined automotive experience. Consumer Guide's singular focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers.

"We are honored that Consumer Guide chose the Dodge Ram as a best buy for 2009," said Scott Kunselman, Vice-President Jeep(R)/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "It's yet another award that confirms that the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is the best pickup truck on the market."

About the Dodge Ram

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes the industry's first-and-only RamBox(TM) cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins, pickup bed dividers, a 2-foot bed extender, and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats. The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring, five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle providing ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics - .387 Cd - helps improve fuel economy and performance.

In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes first-in-segment, factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins with nearly twice as many bins (42) than the previous model (26) and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with segment-first surround-sound audio system and live SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM) round out the interior.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab recently earned 5-star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government's safety crash test program.

In addition to winning Consumer Guide's award, the all-new Dodge Ram has picked up 10 other key awards since its introduction and was recently chosen by Car and Driver as the best full-size pickup in a head-to-head comparison test in Texas, beating the new Ford F-150. Other key awards include:

  -- Cars.com - Work Truck of the Year
  -- ICOTY - 2009 International Truck of the Year
  -- Truckin' magazine - Truck of the Year
  -- Texas Auto Writer's Association (TAWA) - 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of
     Texas
  -- Edmunds.com - Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009
  -- Autobytel.com - 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editor's Choice Awards - Truck of
     the Year
  -- Maxim - Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
  -- Ward's AutoWorld - Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Dodge Ram 5.7
     HEMI engine)
  -- Automobile Journalists Association of Canada - Best New Pickup
  -- Sobre Ruedas - Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for '08