RAM Trucks Australia Now Biggest Auto Maker in the Country

Most people have never heard of Ateco, but it is the brainchild of Kiwi-born Neville Creighton, and is the biggest remanufacturer of RAM Trucks in right hand drive.

Ram sold 604 trucks in September 2022, a huge up 45% on this time last year. 17,115 RAMs found homes so far this year. So significant is this achievement, Bob Graczyk, Head of RAM International, came to Melbourne to see for himself how the enlarged factory manages three dedicated production lines running 24-hours per day.

“Australia is a super important market for us outside of North America, and the growth that we’ve seen here over the last few years has been phenomenal,” said Mr Grazyk.

“With the expansion of our plant this growth will continue. It’s incredible what the team has done at RAM Trucks Australia, Ateco Group and MMF. Outside of the US, we sell more full-size pick-up trucks than Ford and GM combined, and Australia representing a market share of more than 70%, is a big contributor of that.

“It’s a dedicated group here that love RAM and it comes through in everything they do in Australia, so we are super proud of having more than 17,000 people out there driving our trucks.”

This Week Review: 2022 Mini Yours EV FULL REVIEW: How I almost Got Locked IN a CarPark Overnight!

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel 

• Top GayCarBoys Stories:
  • Sexy Men Drive 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross
  • 10 Sexiest MotoGP Motorcycle Riders
  • DON’T Drive YOUR CAR until you’ve Checked if your AIRBAG will KILL YOU
  • 10 Hottest Racing Drivers
  • Top 12 Best Gay Lesbian LGBTI Luxury Cars
  • Top 10 Gay Lesbian LGBT Cars
  • Top 10 Gay Lesbian LGBT Sports Cars
  • Top 15 gay and lesbian LGBT SUVs
  • Talented Twinks – Callum Ilott Virtually Races Arthur Leclerc

ABOVE: 2022 –  Ram trucks Australia

To put this in perspective, RAM Trucks Australia is a RAM-authorised manufacturer of right-hand drive RAM trucks, the only one in the world. Beginning in 2013, Ateco has delivered the full-size pick-up truck that might otherwise never have arrived. Ateco was the first to import KIA into Australia, and at various times, also brought in Citroen, Alfa Romeo, and currently imports Maserati among other brands.

It seems Neville has a nose that knows.

So respected is Ateco’s process, that all RAM Trucks Australia vehicles are international-spec vehicles, uniquely coded for the Australian market and the local build process.

Mr Graczyk: “I was in our Sterling Heights, US, plant a few weeks ago and yesterday I got into a right-hand drive RAM TRX for the first time – the truck that is coming off the line here in Australia is as good as what’s coming out of our main plant.

“So, we’re 1000% supportive of the remanufacturing process here – we work very closely with the team and provide whatever they need in terms support, CAD data etc – and have full confidence in the team here to protect our brand, and to protect our truck.”

The 16,025m² factory has 2 lines for DS and DT models, and another exclusively for heavy duty models, with the entire factory doing duty 24/7. It currently pumps out 10,000 trucks a year, but is built to accommodate up to 20,000 vehicles per year.

RAM Trucks Australia has 641 workers, making it the largest vehicle manufacturer in Australia. DS requires 361 parts, with 402 for the DT, and a further 465 on the heavy-duty models.  This keeps local suppliers busy, with a potential for more. In this case, rather than making each vehicle from scratch, trucks arrive from the USA, but the process is not a simple conversion. A significant number of parts are made here in australia, such as firewalls, to be placed into the stripped carcasses. By the time Ateco is done, the RAM is a brand new vehicle.

The range starts with the RAM 1500 Express Crew and Warlock models in the original DS, then 1500 Laramie and 1500 Limited in as DT models, with the Heavy Duty 2500 Laramie and Heavy Duty 3500 Laramie next, and the all-new RAM TRX rounding off the offerings.

“RAM Trucks Australia created the full-size pick-up truck segment in Australia, and it’s fantastic to see so many of our trucks on the road,” said Jeff Barber, National Manager, RAM Trucks Australia.

“All RAM Trucks are built fit for purpose and ideally suited to the Australian way of life. We offer powerful and versatile tow vehicles that appeal to those looking for a durable workhorse, a 4WD off-roader, a premium family touring vehicle, a luxury pickup, a heavy duty hauler, and the world’s quickest, fastest and most powerful performance truck. Ram Trucks Australia has it all.”

Other GayCarBoys SUV Stories:

• Sexy Men Drive 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross
• Top 15 gay and lesbian LGBT SUVs
• Toyota Landcruiser VX: King of the Load
• LandCruiser Sahara: Your limo to the wild awaits.
• 2020 Landrover Defender: New, for the sake of it?
• Landrover Defender In Final Desert Testing
• 2020 Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamic S VIDEO REVIEW
• Land Rover Around The World in 70 Days Challenge
• 11 Best Things about VW Amarok
• Amarok V6 is tops
• Toyota Hilux Rugged X Review and video
• Nissan Navara N Trek Warrior VS Toyota Hilux Rugged X down on the Farm.
• 2019 Toyota Hilux Rugged X Review,  Road Test, and video.
• RAM 1500 Laramie VIDEO car review
• 2018 Ram 1500 Road Test and Review
• A Weekend Away in a Jeep Compass with 3 Hot Companions
• Is Jeep Gladiator a Backroom Bar on Wheels?
• 2018 Jeep Compass Limited Review