RAM hits 20K!
In a market dominated by utes, Ram Trucks Australia has just put the finishing touches on its 20,000th right-hand drive pick-up.
RAM distributor Ateco has always made the point that they sell trucks that eat Utes for breakfast.
The relationship with RAM Trucks in the USA began back in 2013, leading to the point where RAM Trucks Australia became is the world’s only RAMauthorised manufacturer of right-hand drive RAM trucks. All RAM Trucks Australia vehicles are international-spec vehicles, uniquely coded for the Australasian market and the Australian build process, which from nothing seven years ago has now delivered more than 13,000 units to end users.
The New Zealand range starts with the RAM 1500 Express Crew and Warlock models in the original DS variant, followed by the 1500 Laramie and 1500 Limited in the recently launched DT model range, and the Heavy Duty 2500 Laramie® and Heavy Duty 3500 Laramie.
The latest Halo model to hit NZ’s shores and dubbed the baddest full-sized pick-up truck is the TRX, that bears no resemblance to the Honda farm quad that displays a similar designation. While one offers 518cc, the other takes that to the power 12, with a V8 motor of 6.2 litres and an eye-watering output of 532kW (715hp) with 882Nm torque.
The supercharged Hemi V8 of the TRX might also give the loyal farm dog a little to pant about too, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a 190km/h top speed – sure to make Shep mumble “bugger”.
Other stand-outs include a high-torquecapacity TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers quick, crisp gear changes during normal and performance driving, a new, innovative dual-path air induction system to deliver maximum output and a new, unique suspension system with active damping, incorporating forged aluminium front upper and lower control arms with special attention to caster and camber angles during suspension cycling.
Five-link coil suspension is tuned to deliver the best combination of ride, handling and comfort in all conditions, incorporating new front and rear 2.6-inch Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shock absorbers.
A new Baja drive mode calibrates fourwheel- drive and steering systems, stability control, paddle shifters and suspension for ultimate desert performance, delivering maximum capability on undulating, loose surfaces.
Numerous active and passive safety and security features, including ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and six air bags, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Ready Alert Braking and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All- Terrain 35-inch tires, developed exclusively for Ram TRX, are said to achieve unmatched levels of wear resistance, traction, and reduced road noise.
Whilst maximum load and towing capacities are yet to be released, pricing is not for the fainthearted, with a MSRP from $249,990.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…