Dodge Phoenix Reviews

The year was 1999 and Dennis Ballard was begrudgingly looking through bridal magazines with his soon-to-be married daughter, doing the 'good dad thing.'Suddenly it jumped out at him; as his daughter asked his opinion on two dresses, Ballard's eyes wondered to a one-line advertisement sitting between the ladies in white; 1917 Dodge Coupe, for sale.Some would think 'what an oddly placed ad' and move on, but not Ballard, who describes himself as 'old-car mad.'Perhaps the 158 cars he has owned over the years explains his self-diagnosis. With what looked like an American phone number in the advertisement, Ballard didn't waste time, calling a friend who lived in the US to find out more.“He rang the number for me and said it was genuine, that it had been in storage from 1933 to 1998,” he says. “It turned out the publishers had the ad in the wrong book, it was meant to go in some sort of motor catalogue in the States, but that didn't happen.”Which worked out nicely for Ballard, who knew it was a special model and snapped it up on the advice of his friend, who took it for a test drive.Ballard handed over the $US4800 asking price for the car and then spent a further $2000 getting it to Australia, which took about two years, finally arriving here in 2001.Ballard's Dodge was the earliest American model on display at the 21st annual All Chrysler Day at Fairfield Showground.Even today, the 62-year-old is still thanking his lucky stars he helped out with the wedding plans.“If she hadn't been at me to look at them I wouldn't have seen it, it's just incredible luck, it's a very rare car and was in absolute top condition,” he says. Ballard has since discovered the car is the oldest known surviving Dodge Coupe, making it a very valuable piece of history.Adding to that, he is only the second owner of this very unique model. He even found the original registration slip from 1918 in the door pocket.It may look stunning from the outside, but Ballard says it's not the most pleasant vehicle to drive; “Two words, bloody hard,” he says.“It's heavy steering, very direct, there's a tendency to oversteer savagely. It's okay when you're used to it, but it's definitely a man's car.”Its driving manner wasn't something the original owner mastered either.“The original owner was a doctor and apparently had a lot of trouble handling the Dodge,” Ballard says, which he discovered from speaking to the doctor's grandson who told him he often “clobbered every pair of gate posts” and rarely used the car, preferring to get around in his horse and buggy instead.“It appears he died in 1933 and the family had no need for it so they put it in the barn and covered it up,” he says, adding that it has done less than 9000 miles (14,500km).After 68 years off the road, Ballard was surprised to discover the “wooden” coupe, with its A and B pillar made from timber, was still in reasonably good condition.The only things it needed were mudguards and a paint job. But since coming into his possession, Ballard says he's spent $15,000 getting it to its present state, with one job left; replacing the moth-eaten trim. While Ballard has a passion for old cars, he admits he has a particular soft spot for American DNA.“They do tend to stand up better to Australian conditions and they're powerful, they hold their own with today's traffic, not quite as fast but they'll stay out there,” he says. “Old Dodges in particular, they're very rugged.”Ballard's car obsession really began when his first car, a 1925 Dodge, was stolen before he was even old enough to drive it.From then on, he set out rescuing as many old cars as he could.“People were practically giving these old cars away back then, so I'd drag them home, patch them up and sell them on, it used to drive my parents mad,” the 62-year-old says.“I went mad and wanted to save them all.”While Ballard's car may be the oldest and most special car at the show, there will be variety of vehicles displaying the history of the Chrysler brand, which has included other makes over the years such as Dodge, Jeep, Hillman and Centura.A 1939 Chrysler and a 1977 Dodge Charger Imperial will be among the display of about 300 cars, with a particular focus on 50 years of 'fins.'One car fitting this theme is Frank D'agostino's 1953 Chrysler New Yorker sedan.D'agostino, who has also caught the American car bug, says he particularly loves the exaggerated shape and the size of the vehicles.“They're unique, their size, their character, the days of flamboyant looks,” he says. “But they weren't designed for economy.” 

Going undercover is, after all, about blending in, becoming part of the crowd and attracting as little attention as possible.Looking at Nitro you get the feeling that designers had something different in mind. The brash American five-seat wagon attracts plenty of comment with its oversized wheels, pumped-out guards and big, blunt 'cow-catcher' front end. There's no missing Dodge's trademark, chrome crosshair grille either.Nitro comes with a 3.7-litre petrol V6 or a 2.8-litre turbo diesel.Our test vehicle was the top of the line SXT diesel priced from $43,490. The diesel adds $3500 to the price, but this also buys a five-speed auto with sequential mode instead of the standard four-speed.Nitro sits on the same platform that will underpin the forthcoming Jeep Cherokee, with a part-time four-wheel drive system that is not suitable for dry bitumen roads.Unless you hit the switch it remains rear-wheel drive. This negates the benefits of all-wheel drive and, with no low range gearing its off-road ability is also restricted.The in-line four-cylinder turbo diesel produces 130kW of power at 3800rpm and 460Nm of torque at 2000rpm. Impressive figures but, as the SXT tips the scales at just under two tonnes, it's not the fastest cab off the rank, with 0-100km/h taking 10.5 seconds.Both petrol and diesel models are rated to tow the same braked 2270kg. But the diesel remains the better bet with 146Nm more torque, delivering dividends in driveability and fuel economy.With a 70-litre tank, fuel consumption is rated at 9.4 litres/100km, but our test vehicle proved thirstier than this at 11.4 litres/100km or about 600km to the tank.Nitro is described as a medium-sized sports utility vehicle and goes head to head with Ford's Territory and the Holden Captiva.In reality, it's a rather snug fit inside. Taller drivers will find getting in and out of the cab awkward unless they remember to duck. Rear leg room is good, but at the expense of load capacity and it can be a squeeze for three adults across the back seat. The luggage area itself features a trick slide-out floor for easier loading.Although Nitro is targeted mainly at road users, drivers expecting car-like ride and handling will be disappointed.The ride is harsh with plenty of old-fashioned, 4x4 rock and roll and the solid rear axle can become skittish if it encounters a bump mid-corner.The SXT model comes with 20-inch alloys shod with 245/50 profile tyres that look terrific but do little to cushion the bumps. A full-size spare is fitted but drivers will miss not having a driver's footrest.Although very well equipped with six airbags and electronic stability control, Nitro's interior doesn't quite match its killer looks, with plenty of hard plastic to be found.At the end of the day it's a fun, desirable car to be seen in, but one that is badly in need of some refinement.

Going undercover is, after all, about blending in, becoming part of the crowd and attracting as little attention as possible.Looking at Nitro you get the feeling that designers had something different in mind.The brash American five-seat wagon attracts plenty of comment with its oversized wheels, pumped-out guards and big, blunt “cow-catcher” front end.There's no missing Dodge's trademark, chrome crosshair grille either.Nitro comes with a 3.7-litre petrol V6 or a 2.8-litre turbo diesel.Our test vehicle was the top of the line SXT diesel priced from $43,490.The diesel adds $3500 to the price, but this also buys a five-speed auto with sequential mode instead of the standard four-speed.Nitro sits on the same platform that will underpin the forthcoming Jeep Cherokee, with a part-time four-wheel drive system that is not suitable for dry bitumen roads.Unless you hit the switch it remains rear-wheel drive.This negates the benefits of all-wheel drive and, with no low range gearing its off-road ability is also restricted.The in-line four-cylinder turbo diesel produces 130kW of power at 3800rpm and 460Nm of torque at 2000rpm.Impressive figures but, as the SXT tips the scales at just under two tonnes, it's not the fastest cab off the rank, with 0-100km/h taking 10.5 seconds.Both petrol and diesel models are rated to tow the same braked 2270kg.But the diesel remains the better bet with 146Nm more torque, delivering dividends in driveability and fuel economy.With a 70-litre tank, fuel consumption is rated at 9.4 litres/100km, but our test vehicle proved thirstier than this at 11.4 litres/100km or about 600km to the tank.Nitro is described as a medium-sized sports utility vehicle and goes head to head with Ford's Territory and the Holden Captiva.In reality, it's a rather snug fit inside.Taller drivers will find getting in and out of the cab awkward unless they remember to duck.Rear leg room is good, but at the expense of load capacity and it can be a squeeze for three adults across the back seat.The luggage area itself features a trick slide-out floor for easier loading.Although Nitro is targeted mainly at road users, drivers expecting car-like ride and handling will be disappointed.The ride is harsh with plenty of old-fashioned, 4x4 rock and roll and the solid rear axle can become skittish if it encounters a bump mid-corner.The SXT model comes with 20-inch alloys shod with 245/50 profile tyres that look terrific but do little to cushion the bumps.A full-size spare is fitted but drivers will miss not having a driver's footrest.Although very well equipped with six airbags and electronic stability control, Nitro's interior doesn't quite match its killer looks, with plenty of hard plastic to be found.At the end of the day it's a fun, desirable car to be seen in, but one that is badly in need of some refinement.

Surely a remote release for the fuel well is a far easier option and far less bloodthirstyWith its corrugated clamshell bonnet, lambchop-shaped headlights and various other quirks, the Chrysler Sebring is certainly not your average medium-sized car.In this segment of car clones, it stands out as something a little bit different.However, if that is what you want, its cousin the Dodge Avenger looks more macho, drives better and is less quirky.I drove the Sebring Touring model with its standard 17-inch wheels for a week and found that the wheels were about the best thing on the vehicle.Despite its divisive exterior styling, at least I found it looked like it belonged to its wheels, not hovering above them like most of its under-shod competitors.The bigger wheels with a generous 60 per cent profile also helped provide a smooth and speed-bump-absorbing ride; around the potholed streets of Brisvegas.But there wasn't much else I liked.I just found too many niggling problems with this vehicle. For a start, the Yank car has not survived the conversion from left- to right-hand drive very well.Of course, the indicators are on the left, which is not a huge problem, but the parking brake is also on the left of the centre console, the bonnet release is in the left foot well, the gear indicator is unsighted on the left of the lever and the key is on the left of the steering wheel, which I never got used to even after a week of driving.There were other niggling problems, one of which left me with a gash in my left index finger.It is fairly common in the Chrysler and Jeep range to have a locking petrol cap that requires a key.Not only are they an inconvenience, but they are difficult to use. The key goes in and turns left (or is it right?) and then can't be extracted until you lock it again. You therefore have to squeeze your hand into the fuel well with the key still in the cap and try to rotate the cap to the right (or is that left?).In this juggling act I somehow managed to rip a gash in my finger on the sharp metal in the fuel well. Surely a remote release for the fuel well is a far easier option and far less bloodthirsty.But quirky things such as this could possibly be ignored if the car had good driving dynamics. It doesn't.While it rides well, it steers and handles vaguely. The 2.4-litre engine is noisy and rather under-powered, especially when faced with a hill or weighed down with a couple of passengers.In fact, my wife commented that it sounded more like a crude diesel engine than a modern petrol engine.What makes it worse is it is married to a slow-changing four-speed automatic gearbox. A six-speed manual is also available and might be a better option.No matter what you think of the exterior styling, you may find the interior a little better.It is fairly standard Chrysler fare with a fair amount of hard plastic, but some nice styling touches such as the chronometer-style clock in the centre of the dashboard, the pale green illumination of controls and the three-pod instruments.The two-tone cabin is a reasonably pleasant place to be with good legroom fore and aft and an airy feeling.But there isn't a lot of room in the cargo area with its high floor and low ceiling, plus there is only a temporary space saver spare under the floor.The steering wheel is adjustable for height, but not reach, like most American cars. However, The driver's seats is electronically adjustable to almost any position; so I was able to find a reasonably comfortable driving position. Surely reach adjustment would be an easier and cheaper way to get a good, safe driving position.The standard leather seats are very hard with a convex shape to the back support, which felt like the adjustable lumbar was pushed way forward. It wasn't.What we did like was auto up and down front windows, cup holders that heat or cool and the high quality Harmon Kardon sound system with an input jack for MP3 players and a MyGig hard drive system that allows you to store 20Gb of music on board, without having to use your iPod.That's a fair amount of tasty bits of kit for mid-sized motoring on a budget.For your $33,990 you also get a lot of safety gear including ABS, stability control, traction control, brake assist, six airbags and tyre pressure monitor.If you can get past the niggles, the languorous driving behaviour and the styling, then you will be rewarded with a car that is safe, packed with features and offers competitive value.

Trevor Creed admits the cabins, in particular, are nowhere near as good as they need to be to challenge the Japanese.He is happy with the way the latest arrivals look; from the compact Dodge Nitro to the brutal Chrysler 300C and the all-new Journey family crossover just displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show but admits they are lacklustre inside.Creed made quality design a priority for Chrysler last year, but is still forced to defend the cars in showrooms today because of a system that was too slow and too outdated to deliver what shoppers expect in their cars.“Previously, everything sort of fell backwards. We're trying to recover from that,” he says.Creed has even formed a special design team to make the changes, though the group has been operating since the end of last year and even the Journey is not up to Japanese standards.“They have done their first interior for a next-generation product and been very, very successful,” Creed says.But he is still asking for patience on the improvements.“It will be two years before you see the full fruits, in terms of major products,” Creed says.So expect improvements, but not in a rush. And why?“The cost pressure in the US is just enormous (and) we don't charge the prices (there) that we charge in the rest of the world,” he says.That means cars built to a price point in America must face up to tougher rivals when they head overseas.That is tough to overcome, but Creed says it is happening. 

Car names are apparently a minefield of hidden meanings, which would do justice to an automotive Da Vinci Code. That's if you believe the assertions of various regular posters who populate online forums, slanging away at each other's favourite badge.On the Australian sites, there's naturally a lot of the Red vs Blue from the Holden and Ford camps.Holden stands for “Hope Our Luck Doesn't End Soon,” according to somebody called FPVgal, who also claims Ford means “First On Race Day,” only to be corrected by Monaro05, who says it actually means “First on Recall Day”.You thought BMW was an acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke, not so, it seems. Bought My Wife, Big Money Waste, Bavarian Manure Wagon; take your pick. In crime-ridden South Africa, it's Break My Windows. Audi goes All Unnecessary Devices Installed, or Accelerates Under Demonic Influence, having driven the scorching RS4, we'd agree with the latter.Chevrolet has a long list, but all along the theme of Condition Hopeless, Entire Vehicle Relies On Lousy Engineering Techniques.Any Dodge is apparently Dead On Day Guarantee Expires.Fiat? Fix It Again, Tony.A Honda fan claims it stands for Hallmark Of Non-Destructible Automobiles, but is swatted down with Hang On, Not Done Accelerating, by one who's obviously never had their foot on the pedal of the ballistic little Civic Type R.Hyundai is tagged with Hope You Understand Nothing's Driveable and Inexpensive; Kia gets Kick It Again.There's more. But some of it isn't suitable for a family website and some might even be rejected by the upstanding editors of Bikini Babes With Big Pistons.Luckily, it's all in cyberspace, so no real blood is ever spilled. But the only other public entertainment that comes anywhere near offering this amount of fantasy, insults, threats, lies and exaggeration is the coming federal election campaign.Happily, that promises to have even less basis in reality. 

The world's biggest motor show is weeks away, yet the car companies are already scrambling over each other to release clues about their exhibits.Among the highlights of the 62nd Frankfurt International Motor Show are cars made out of bamboo, a boxer diesel engine and yet more “urban crossover SUVs.”Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil its Concept-cX compact SUV at the show.Concept-cX uses interior trim materials made from bamboo and other plant-based resins.The concept is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8 litre diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter, and Mitsubishi's new twin clutch sport shift transmission.Dodge will also launch a crossover wagon, called Crew, which hits Australia late next year.The seven-seater is based on the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring sedan platform but with all-wheel drive and powered by 2.4-litre petrol and 2-litre turbo-diesel engines.The Crew looks like a shrunken Chrysler Voyager people mover, but with a longer nose and higher ground clearance.It will be built at Chrysler's Toluca plant in Mexico with production due to start in December.Subaru will use the show for its biggest new model blitz yet.Leading the line-up will be the new Impreza five-door hatchback in its 1.5 and 2 litre naturally aspirated formats, which arrives in Australia the same month.Other Subarus on show include an Impreza-based World Rally Car Concept, facelifted Tribeca luxury SUV with more efficient 3.6-litre boxer engine and five-speed auto, new Justy one-litre supermini and the world's first horizontally opposed boxer turbo-diesel engine, due to be progressively installed in models from early in 2008.Mazda will debut its Mazda6, the second Mazda new generation product to evolve to the next stage following the new Mazda2.Although Australia is yet to see the Kia cee'd five-door, the Korean company will debut its new sporty three-door Pro-cee'd, the third model in the family of cars designed for Europe and made in Slovakia.Only the bonnet and the front wing panels are carried over from the five-door model.Volkswagen will revive the 'people's car' with a concept Beetle.It is called the City Expert because The Beetle name has been taken by the more expensive new-generation car.The City Expert goes back to Beetle roots with a rear-mounted, flat-four boxer engine and a cheap price tag.VW will also reveal six new models with BlueMotion diesel technology, including the new Golf BlueMotion claiming economy of 4.5 litres/100km down 0.6-litres from the previous model, and CO2 emissions down 16g/km to 119g/km.Range on a 55-litre tank is now more than 1200km.Peugeot's 308RCZ concept will give a big hint towards a future body style for the 308 family.The ultra-light 2+2 coupe uses aluminium, polycarbonate windows and carbon fibre body parts and is powered by a 160kW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo jointly developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW.Renault will show a wagon version of its Clio mini.The Clio Sport Tourer will go on sale in Europe early next year.Mini is also on the bandwagon with the return of the Clubman van.The five-door model has double rear doors and a suicide door on the driver's side.The suicide door, which opens the opposite way, is designed to allow passengers easier access to the back.It would make more sense on the other side, but clearly the former British car now owned by BMW is designed for left-hand-drive markets with the blinkers also on the left.Ford will show its Kuga crossover all-wheel-drive probably powered by a range of petrol and turbodiesel engines, including the 2-litre 100kW/320Nm TDCi that has just appeared in the Focus.The Kuga is based on the Iosis X concept unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show.In a surprise move, Suzuki will show it's expanding from small cars and SUVs into the family market.Their Kizashi family car looks mean with a massive black grille, sloping lamp clusters and low-level fog lamps.Also looking mean is Saab's 9-3 Turbo X which will rekindle the spirit of the 1980s Saab 900 Black Turbo.It will feature Cross-Wheel Drive allowing torque to be split to either side of the rear axle via an electronically limited slip differential, based on information from the stability and traction control systems.However, the show-stealer is likely to be seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher when he unveils the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, a lighter and faster development of the existing 430 coupe and convertible.Power is up to 380kW, weight is down 100kg and the F1 transmission has new software that cuts shift times to 60 milliseconds. 

Australia could soon be saying Hey Charger! Remember the popular and catchy 1970s advertising campaign? Well, Chrysler Group Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins would like to think we could see a return to that catchphrase by introducing the new Dodge Charger. However, he'll have a fight on his hands. Chrysler Corporation international product senior manager Kevin Tourneur from headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, said the Charger was made only in left-hand-drive and Australia was the only right-hand-drive market that wanted the car. “Charger is sold primarily in the US and around the world in US spec,” he said. “Japan is interested, but they can bring it in in limited numbers in left-hand-drive and it's a bit of a status symbol in Japan to have a left-hand-drive.” But Jenkins, who hails from the hallowed Michigan halls of Chrysler power, still has hopes he can change some minds when production plants are moved next year. “You'd be surprised how things change,” he said. “I'm still an optimist.” And Jenkins doesn't want just the standard Charger, either, but the 253kW Street and Racing Technology version. “There is definitely a market for a mid-sized sports vehicle like this,” said Jenkins, who likened it to the confronting macho presence of the Dodge Nitro. “We can't get enough Nitros,” he said. “It's pretty aggressive styling. “It's always a gamble growing volume, but all of a sudden people wanted the Nitro. “I haven't seen this type of demand since the 300C was introduced. “We really didn't pre-market it (Nitro) and the dealers started ordering them.” Jenkins believes the aggressive and macho styling cues of the four-door Charger, and to a lesser extent the upcoming two-door Challenger, will appeal to Australians. “Dodge is an in-your-face brand and unapologetic. It's like a Harley-Davidson thing; it's an emotional thing. “Japanese cars are very elegant, but ours are all about emotion.”  

In a world obsessed with political correctness and body image, Dodge swims against the tide and without a hint of apology. The latest “love me or loathe me, I don't care” offering from Dodge is the Avenger, a mid-sized family sedan with enough attitude and aggressive demeanour to have less self-assured competitors letting out a whimper.“There isn't a car in its segment that looks this tough,” Chrysler Group Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins says. “Finally a car the consumer won't feel embarrassed driving.”With the signature oversized crosshair grille, square headlights styled on the giant Ram truck range and powerful rear quarters borrowed from the performance Charger, the Avenger carries off its street-tough look in a convincing manner.Even when it comes to pricing, the Avenger is not about to make an apology. The base 2.0-litre five-speed manual SX will start at $28,290 with electronic stability control and two years free comprehensive insurance.A four-speed auto SX is $30,990. The SXT with the 125kW 2.4L DOHC engine is $34,990 while a 137kW V6 version will top out the range when it arrives early next year. In a segment that not too many years ago was as sparsely populated as a ghost town, the base Avenger is now surrounded by a host of worthy options.Holden's Epica and Hyundai's Sonata are both available from $25,990, while the Toyota Camry can be had for $28,000 in basic trim. Not too far away, the outgoing Mazda6 is $29,990 (and certain to become even more affordable), Subaru's Liberty is $32,490, while a Honda Accord carries a sticker price of $30,490.However, as with many who talk tough, the Avenger is more soft-core under the surface than would be good for its street image. There were no 2.0-litre cars available to drive at the Avenger's launch in New Zealand, and that is unlikely to have been an accidental oversight.The 2.4-litre engine, as already seen in Caliber and Chrysler's own Sebring sedan, is a reasonable unit with dual variable-valve timing, but its 125kW and 220Nm is tempered by being shackled to an ageing four-speed automatic.Any performance aspirations Avenger has really will have to wait until the arrival of the 2.7-litre model early next year. Not only will that engine bring a reasonable 137kW of power and 256Nm of torque, but will also feature Chrysler's new-generation six-speed automatic gearbox.Built off the same basic platform as the Sebring with a MacPherson strut front-end and multi-link rear, the Avenger is better than capable as a family sedan. General stability of the car is good with a ride quality that never approaches plush but isolates the passengers well enough from the vagaries of moderately maintained highways. The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is well weighted and suffers neither from vagueness nor kickback under load.It is not particularly direct but is consistent and linear, giving confidence on challenging roads.The 2.4-litre engine, the only one available for test at the launch in New Zealand's South Island takes some urging to get the Avenger's 1500kg moving. On flat roads, the 2.4 is happy to swing along but hills take a toll on the performance. Mountains are punitive.The Avenger's interior packaging is good, with ample space in the front and genuine room for two adults and a child or a smaller adult across the rear. Plastics are hard and there are plenty of them but the colour tones are light and uplifting while control knobs are large, clearly marked (except for the radio controls on the rear of the multi-function steering wheel) and easy to use.The absence of a foot rest for the driver is a glaring omission and the claim that the steering is both rake and reach is ludicrous, given the tiny telescopic range of the adjustment.Luggage capacity is impressive, spoiled only slightly by the boot opening, which is not as large as might be expected. Rear seats fold flat, as does the passenger seat, to give huge potential carrying capacity with long-load capability.And there are clever convenience touches that lift the car above the average. A chilled storage compartment in the top of the dash can store four 500ml cans or bottles while the centre cup holders can cool or heat containers in a range from 2C to 60C. Impressive in both grades of car is the range of active and passive safety gear with stability control, traction control, ABS with brake assist and six airbags including curtain.The SX models come with 17 inch steel wheels, a single CD sound system with four speakers, airconditioning, cruise control, remote door lock, five three-point belts, non-stain cloth seats, security alarm and power windows.In the SXT (available only with the 2.4-litre engine) you can add 18 inch alloys, the chilled and heated cup holders, heated front seats, eight-way electronic adjustment for the driver's seat, multi-function steering wheel, six-disc CD with six Boston Acoustic speakers, trip computer and nice leather trim.

The top end of the working ute business has been barren since Ford ran out of F-Series trucks, following the end of right-hand drive production in South America, which has created an opportunity for Chrysler.The American company is now mounting a detailed investigation into the potential for the Ram in Australia, as it prepares for the next all-new model, and the chance of right-hand drive trucks for overseas sales."There’s an opportunity with the Ram. I think it's worth investigating," Chrysler's senior manager for international product, Kevin Tourneur, says.He attended the Australian press preview of the new Jeep Patriot and Dodge Avenger in New Zealand last week and now has a strong understanding of the opportunityl for the Ram.“We don’t know if the time is right yet to bring it in, but this would be the time to start thinking about it. It's a matter of working with the markets," Tourneur says.He believes Australia's traditional support for both commercial and sports utes, over more than 40 years, points to the potential with Chrysler's long-running rival to Ford's F-Series, which is the world's favourite truck."But you need to have sustainable demand, because the Ram is not right-hand drive and was not developed with right-hand drive in mind, so there would be a lot of engineering work," he says.Chrysler Group Australia’s managing director, Gerry Jenkins, believes the Ram has a place on our roads and is keen to see it here."We’d love to have Ram here . . . I’m really excited about the idea,” Jenkins says."It’s not entirely about the numbers, but there probably needs to be demand for about 10,000 a year right-hand drive in the international market before it’s viable.""I think we could sell 3000 a year in Australia, especially with the Cummins diesel engine. There’s really nobody in that large ute market, there’s no competition.”The commercial market has big potential for the Ram, according to Chrysler spokesman, David McCarthy."If we brought the Ram here, more than half would be cab-chassis for ambulance and food delivery use,” McCarthy says.Jenkins says he has already had a stream of inquiries about the Ram from a mining company in Western Australia, and impressed by their persistence, eventually flew over and met with them."We’re going to supply some to them, but they will be left-hand drive," he says.However, Jenkins says converting Rams to right-hand drive is not an option he wants to consider for the broader Australian market.`"We’re not going to do conversions . . . we’re only interested in getting one that’s ADR compliant. People want the authentic product.”Jenkins says the same approach would apply if there was a chance to bring the latest Dodge Charger here, which will be unlikely as long as demand for the left-hand drive version continues to outstrip supply."Could we sell it in Australia? Of course we could,” he says."I think it’s the best-looking car we have. But it’s not really a possibility right now.”Tourneur says the strong American styling of Dodge vehicles, including the Ram and Charger, is the key to the brand's growing success.There’s no point in us trying to follow European design. If people want European, they’ll buy European," he says."We need to stay true to the US style. That unique design, that’s what we can bring. People all over the world want to be different."The character about Dodge is DNA from the trucks and the 70s muscle car phase . . . strong emotions and passion. Every product has to have a certain `Dodgeness.’