American tow beast coming

Like something that can tow up to 7500kg and that comes with a factory warranty?

Well, the good news is that the Walkinshaw group – best known for its relationship with Holden – will design, engineer and manufacture right-hand drive versions of heavy-duty RAM trucks in Melbourne from September.

The 2500 and 3500 versions of the RAM will be purchased in left-hand drive ex-factory from North America and will come with full-volume Australian Design Rule compliance, meaning they can be sold in unlimited numbers Down Under.

The deal has been officially signed off by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles as an official factory-backed import and conversion program for the RAM truck range in Australia and New Zealand.

However, FCA Australia has no official role in the plan and remains committed to eventually securing right-hand drive supply of the lighter-capacity new RAM 1500 as a potential entrant in Australia's booming one-tonne pick-up truck market.

While of great interest to owners of big caravans, trailerboats and horse floats, FCA intends to mostly target the mining industry with the 2500 and 3500, which in North America are offered with a variety of six- and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines and a choice of three cabins.

Right-hand drive conversion of RAM trucks is not new in Australia, with Performax, US Autos, CRC Conversions and Salstrup Ultimate Vehicles among those on the web advertising the same service.

However, full-volume compliance is crucial to selling the trucks in unlimited numbers (as Ford Australia did previously with the F-Series) and this venture is the first to gain it for the RAM.

That said, both Performax and Harrison F-Trucks both sell a range of Ford F-Series trucks (but not the new F-150) under a similar arrangement.

Pricing and full details of the RAM line-up will be announced closer to the September 2015 on-sale date.