Ram CEO Says Midsize Pickup is Too Costly

A midsize pickup truck doesn’t seem to be in the cards for Ram. 

CEO Bob Hegbloom told Automotive News that he can’t make the numbers add up to justify bringing a new midsize pickup truck to the U.S., with fuel economy proving to be the major sticking point.

“If full-size now is pushing 30 [mpg], you’re going to expect a midsize to be at least at 35,” Hegbloom said. “You’re also going to expect it to be significantly less expensive. But to bring the technology in to deliver on 35 mpg, then you’re going to raise the price.”

SEE ALSO: 2015 RAM 1500 HFE Hauls 29 MPG Into Detroit

The most efficient trucks in the midsize segment are the new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, which top out at 27 mpg on the highway, not even close to the 35 mpg Hegbloom says a small truck would need. A midsize truck with a small diesel that achieves 35 mpg is possible says Hegbloom, but the technology needed to make the truck so efficient would also drive the price up.

Recently, reports claimed that Ram was looking at bringing the small 700 pickup to the U.S., but Hegbloom also put those to bed, simply saying, “certainly we’ve looked at it and we’ll continue to look at opportunities.”

[Source: Automotive News]

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