DETROIT: Amid the surge in sales of fuel-efficient cars in the US, another rather less green section of vehicles is experiencing a boom.
It may run counter to the current trends for environmentalism and austerity, but luxury pick-up trucks, kitted out with accessories such as snakeskin trim, are flying out of showrooms, reports
Automotive News.
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| The Ram Laramie Limited. |
The Ram Laramie Limited model, which debuted in January, sold out to dealers in just three days, Chrysler confirmed, suggesting that some drivers are still willing to splash their cash on stylish, spacious models.
The Laramie Limited includes leather seats and trim, heated steering wheel, front ventilated and heated seats and rear heated seats, as well as a premium chrome-accented exterior.
It retails from US$45,700 (RM146,000), making it the most expensive Ram ever produced.
Ford also confirmed this week that it will launch a new Limited line for its F-Series, yet another model on top of the existing Platinum, which is sold complete with Black or Pecan leather seating, a top-notch infotainment system and chrome accents.
Buyers of the Limited will get the choice of a turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5-litre V-6 engine generating 365 horsepower or a 6.2-litre V-8 generating 411-horsepower.
The boom is partially caused by constructors buying new equipment as the housing market in the US recovers, reports
Automotive News, although it's likely that some of the demand is coming from consumers keen to buy a model which will retain its value over a long period of time.
Still, with consumers seemingly keen to pay around US$50,000 (RM160,000) per model, it's no wonder automakers are scrabbling to meet demand - Chrysler is trying to boost production of the Laramie, a spokesman confirmed.
-Reuters