All-New Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickups Named Motor Trend's 2003 Truck of the Year

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Legendary HEMI(R) and Cummins Engines Power Dodge Ram to the Top

The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty has hauled away Motor Trend magazine's prestigious "Truck of the Year" award.

"We are delighted that the new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty was chosen by Motor Trend as the Truck of the Year," said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group. "This is one of the most coveted awards in the auto industry, and it is confirmation of the tremendous strides we have taken in the re-invention of the Chrysler Group by building aspirational and high quality products."

The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 pickup won Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year award following an intensive three-week competition. The Dodge duo of the Heavy Duty Ram 2500 4x2 Quad Cab with 345 horsepower worth of HEMI(R) Magnum power and the Ram 3500 4x4 with the High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel upstaged all others in the competition.

"From the onset of our 'Truck of the Year' competition, we knew the Ram Heavy Duty was a prime contender," said Kevin Smith, Motor Trend's Editor in Chief. "It fulfills the promise set forth last year by the introduction of an all-new Ram, and now offers the power and capability expected in the three-quarter and one-ton segments -- plus features, content, and capabilities that in many ways raise the bar for this class of truck."

"Simply put, after spending weeks with our competitors, evaluating every aspect and nuance, the Ram Heavy Duty stands out as the most significant new truck for 2003," Smith added. "With its excellent powertrains, off-road prowess, smooth on-road driveability, and stump-pulling power, the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty is the hands-down winner of Motor Trend's 2003 Truck of the Year award."