Chrysler officially launched mass production of the first Ram 2500 CNG pick-ups at its Saltillo, Mexico plant on 30 October. To coincide with the launch, the OEM announced that it was expanding the model’s reach from fleet only to include retail customers as well.
“We felt there was a strong likelihood that customer demand would allow us to offer the Ram 2500 CNG to retail, as well as fleet buyers,” explained Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive of the Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. “From the moment we unveiled the Ram CNG, dealers – particularly those near CNG refuelling infrastructure – strongly encouraged us to bring CNG to their stores. We’re pleased that today Ram can deliver on that demand.”
The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG is a bi-fuel (gasoline/CNG) model powered by the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 modified to run on CNG as well as gasoline. Chrysler claims that its 2012 Ram 2500 CNG is the only OEM-built compressed natural gas-powered pick-up in North America. Honda offers a factory-built CNG car in the US with its Civic GX. GM plans to introduce its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models with bi-fuel engines that can operate on gasoline or CNG before the end of the year.
