Dodge and RAM shine in terms of product quality provided to customers. The two American Brands stand out in the annual IQS results published by J.D. Power for 2023. Dodge and RAM improved on the already positive results recorded in 2022, confirming public approval with steady improvement and taking the top two places in the special ranking drawn up by the famed U.S. research and marketing company. Also rounding out the podium of the brands with the most quality is Alfa Romeo, another Stellantis Group brand: all Group brands taken into consideration improved their IQS score over 2022, running against the sector trend, even rising up positions in the ranking compared to last year.
A total of 33 brands were evaluated for 2023: Dodge took the top spot, confirming its position among the top two brands in the field for the fourth year in a row. Behind it, RAM, which is among the top three brands for the third time since 2020, took the second place and stands out as the brand with the greatest improvement over the past 12 months: in fact, the iconic American brand jumped 16 positions over last year. Such achievements are world-class, certifying the premium quality offered by the two brands and the parallel care that RAM and Dodge put into class-leading details and performances.
“We are clearly finding our rhythm. While that bodes well for our team, more importantly, it’s a signal to our customers that we are aligned with their concerns and responding in real time. Expect the team to focus even more intently on delivering excellence in customer experience,” Stewart adds. “Not just because it’s a hallmark of our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, but because it’s the right thing to do.”. says Mark Stewart, COO for Stellantis in North America.
J.D. Power’s is a widely followed survey within the automotive business. The scores are awarded through direct customer feedback: in fact, the evaluation of participating vehicles and brands is accomplished by interviewing buyers of new vehicles on their first three months of ownership, monitoring issues per 100 vehicles (PP100) to measure brand performance. The company conducts separate surveys to rank brands based on long-term dependability, the appeal of their new vehicles’ features, and car buyers’ purchasing experiences across brands. This year’s results were based on responses from over 93,000 participants. The totals recorded by Dodge and RAM were lower than last year’s numbers by 3 and 45 PP100, respectively.
These results run against the current industry backdrop: in fact, J.D. Power’s entire research notes an overall increase in issues in new vehicles, averaging 12 to 192, in part due to new technologies that do not always meet owners’ satisfaction and advanced driver assistance features.
RAM’s 45-PP100 improvement was tops among mass-market brands, helped by the flagship RAM 1500’s finish atop the large light-duty pickup segment. Therefore, 2023 begins with a new award for this iconic model, adding to the dozens it has won since it was redesigned in 2018. Car and Driver has named the 2023 RAM 1500 to its “10 Best Vehicles” list for the fifth consecutive year. The RAM 1500 is often praised for its luxurious and comfortable interior as well as its excellent ride, handling and towing power.
The RAM 1500 range offers a wide range of customization and usage options: it can be configured to haul a lot of weight, to take on long trips, or for more urban and ordinary use.
Specifically the RAM 1500 Big Horn is available as a Quad Cab with the 6’4” pick-up box, or a Crew Cab with either the short 5’7” (173 cm) box or the long 6’4” (193 cm) box. In addition, it can have single or dual pane sunroof as an option. The standard engine on the Big Horn is a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 305 hp and 271 lb-ft (367 n M) of torque, but it is also available in the version with 5.7-liter V8 that generates 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. (556 n M) of toque. Either trim can also be had with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel that produces 260 hp and 480 lb-ft (650 n M) of torque.
