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The 2009 Dodge Ram Takes Top Honors in Ward’s “Interior of the Year” Competition

All-new 2009 Dodge Ram beats new 2009 Ford F-150, Toyota Venza, Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda Pilot, Kia Borrego and Chevrolet Traverse for best interior


Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 7, 2009 -
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram earned a place on Ward’s distinguished list of winners, taking home the “2009 Interior of the Year” award in the popular-priced truck category. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram has won 15 awards since its introduction.

“From the big, chunky knobs on the dashboard to the in-floor storage bins and the folding second-row seats, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram reminds us that big trucks can be rugged, functional and cool, all at the same time,” said Tom Murphy, executive editor of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “The editors find the Dodge Ram’s new interior extremely comfortable and well-conceived,” Murphy said. “The saddle stitching on the seats and instrument panel make a wonderful styling statement, as do the upscale instrument gauges.”

Ward's editors picked the winners after evaluating 35 vehicles in February and March. The winners will be honored May 21 at the Ward’s Auto Interiors Conference in Dearborn Michigan.

“When we designed our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram, we re-thought the overall packaging of the interior as a comfortable living space and a functional work station. We incorporated much tighter build tolerances, better materials and graining techniques, truck appropriate ornamentation, segment-first creature comforts and utilized unused space with thoughtful storage solutions.” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “We created a strong feel to the interior that communicates to owners that they are driving a high-quality vehicle.”

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram was the first “graduate” of the company’s new Advance Interior Design Studio. The 2009 Dodge Ram stands out with a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in premium interior appointments including six-ring instrumentation, re-designed controls, chromed accents, premium seating with improved bolsters and two-tone upholstery.

All 2009 Dodge Ram interiors are significantly upgraded with “soft-touch” materials that feature industry-first two-tone technology and premium fit and finish. Full-width contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch instrument panels for Sport and Laramie models.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes the industry’s first-and-only RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; a two-foot bed extender and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats. The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle that provides ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics (.387 Cd) improve fuel economy and performance.

In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes a first-in-segment, factory-installed four-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins, twice as many storage spots than the previous model and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard safety features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with a segment-first surround-sound audio system and live SIRIUS Backseat TV™ round out the interior.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models recently earned Five Star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is $22,170 (including $900 destination).

In addition to winning Ward’s “Interior of the Year,” the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram has earned 14 other key awards since its introduction and was recently chosen by Car and Driver as the best full-size pickup in a head-to-head comparison test in Texas, beating the new 2009 Ford F-150. Other key awards include:

• Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association – Truck of the Year
• New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) – Best-in-Class Pickup Award
• MotorWeek – Best Pickup Truck
• Consumer Guide - Large Pickup – Best Buy for 2009
• Cars.com – Work Truck of the Year
• ICOTY – 2009 International Truck of the Year
• Truckin’ magazine – Truck of the Year
• Texas Auto Writer's Association (TAWA) – 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas
• Edmunds.com – Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009
• Autobytel.com – 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editors’ Choice Awards - Truck of the Year
• Maxim – Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
• Ward's AutoWorld – Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Dodge Ram 5.7-liter HEMI® engine)
• Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Best New Pickup
• Sobre Ruedas – Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for '08

Dodge Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and sales-leading, fifth-generation minivans in 2009.

Dodge introduced several new vehicles in the 2008 calendar year, including the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year.

Also in 2008, Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008.

About Ward’s
Ward’s has covered the auto industry for more than 80 years and has many news, data and analysis products to meet virtually any information need. These include monthly magazines, Ward’s AutoWorld and weekly and twice-monthly newsletters Ward’s Automotive Reports, Ward’s Engine and Vehicle Technology Update, plus Ward’s AutoInfoBank database and website WardsAuto.com.

Trusted reporting and data has earned Ward's Automotive Group a reputation as the source for global auto industry news, statistics and analysis.