RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Wins 2015 Green Truck of the Year at San Antonio Auto & Truck Show

SAN ANTONIO -- Nov. 6, 2014: Green Car Journal has awarded its 2015 Green Truck of the Year™ honor to the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel, a powerhouse pickup that offers the only advanced, fuel-efficient diesel engine in the light-duty truck segment. Presented at the San Antonio Auto & Truck Show, the Green Truck of the Year™ program recognizes important environmental achievements in the immensely popular pickup truck field.

"The Green Truck of the Year™ award takes into account the unique requirements of pickup buyers who want improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact, yet also demand high levels of functionality, power, and traditional performance," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com. "The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel offers all that in seamless ways appreciated by new truck buyers, with the powerful and efficient EcoDiesel engine the distinguishing characteristic of this truck's winning personality."

Along with its considerable towing, hauling, and people-handling capabilities, the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel intelligently focuses on efficiencies with active aerodynamics including grill shutters that close for less drag at highway speeds. Other efficiency measures like an eight-speed automatic transmission and an air suspension system that lowers the truck at higher speeds are also used to optimize fuel economy and achieve lower greenhouse gas emissions.

"The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel is America's most fuel efficient pickup with a highway rating of 28 mpg," said Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO-RAM Truck Brand. "In a segment that sees fuel economy as the No. 1 purchase reason, the Green Truck of the Year™ award is an important title, further establishing RAM Truck as the efficiency leader in pickups."

"The San Antonio Auto & Truck Show is the ideal setting for the inaugural Green Truck of the Year™ award, being in the heart of Texas truck country," said San Antonio Auto Dealers Association President Pam Crail. "The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel represents the cutting-edge innovation that we will showcase throughout the weekend with cars, trucks, and technologies for everyone to enjoy."

Finalists for the award also included three completely revised pickups – the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon – plus the efficient gasoline RAM 1500 HFE. Each brought its own brand of efficiency and improved environmental performance to bear, making this an exciting Green Truck of the Year™ program calling to mind the historic competitiveness between legacy Chrysler, Ford, and GM brands. All finalists are further distinguished by earning Green Car Journal's 2015 Green Car Product of Excellence.