The 2023 Ram 1500 Is Struggling Against Declining Sales
What is going on with the Ram 1500? It’s a durable, capable, and comfortable full-size truck that’s not getting as much love as it should. It routinely snags top scores for having the best quality. But for some reason, as rivals have increasing sales, it’s declining. So let’s investigate why the 2023 Ram 1500 is trending down.
What are 2023 Ram 1500 sales dropping?
Sales of the 2023 Ram 1500 may be declining due to its age, but first, let’s look at a few key stats. According to Car and Driver, the Ram 1500 has moved 105,350 units so far this year. It has a 17% sales decrease compared to the same period last year.
This decline isn’t new. Between 2021 and 2022, the am 1500 experienced a 17.8% decrease in sales, but that could have been due to the pandemic.
But at least it’s the third best-selling vehicle in America, so it’s not exactly in trouble. The 2023 Chevy Silverado is the second-best and has sold about 123,994 models. But its figures include heavy-duty models and not 1500 alone.
At the top of the food chain, you’ll find the 2023 Ford F-150. It has moved 170,377 models this year, with a whopping 21% sales increase.
Buyers may be flocking to the Silverado and F-150 because they’re both a bit newer than the Ram 1500. It was last redesigned in 2019 and has remained basically the same available 12.0-inch infotainment system and head-up display.
It’s still modern with an automatic railer reverse steering system, an updated 12-panel digital gauge cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. But The Silverado and F-150 have semi-automated hands-free driving systems.
Is the Ram 1500 underpowered?
No, the 2023 Ram 1500 isn’t underpowered. It has a stout engine lineup. However, these engine options have been around for a while. The Ram 1500 hasn’t experienced an increase in power or engine upgrades in a while. However, the 2025 Ram 1500 could get the new Hurricane engine.
Recently, the Chevy Silverado 1500 Duramax diesel engine received impressive improvements to increase its hp and torque. Plus, the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra both offer true hybrid engines.
The Chevy Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning beat the Ram REV to market, so Ram could seem like it’s behind the competition. Hopefully, it will get the new Hurricane engine that’s in the Jeep Wagoneer.
The standard Ram 1500 engine is a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. It features the Ram eTroque mild hybrid system. Upgrade to the 5.7-liter V8 engine for 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque.
With the 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine, you get 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Ram 1500 TRX gets the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with a monstrous 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 lb and carry a payload of up to 2,335 lbs. It falls behind its rivals. Ford example, the Ford F-150 can tow up to 14,000 lbs.
Is the Ram 1500 overpriced?
The 2023 Ram 1500 has an MSRP of $37,410, while the Ford F-150 starts at $34,585, and the Chevy Silverado 1500 begins at around $36,300. It may cost more than rivals, but the standard model packs extra value.
Rising costs and inflation have impacted the entire auto industry, raising prices across the board. But that hasn’t stopped the F-150 and Silverado 1500 from improving this year.
Perhaps people are trying to avoid paying more for a comparatively aging truck. Plus, rivals have a higher resale value, making them seem like a safer investment.
So, the Ram 1500 could spice things up with a mid-cycle refresh to provide modern looks and updated tech. Also, new engine options and more power could attract more interest. But as the most comfortable and dependable truck on the road, we’re surprised by declining sales.
