Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 30/03) - It's the year of the Ram. That's how it appears on the streets of many Deh Cho communities.

Mike Chemerys still swears by Ford. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

The 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck is appearing in ever-increasing numbers. It's posing a challenge to the long entrenched Ford F-series trucks.

Fred Norwegian of Jean Marie River had driven Ford trucks since 1973. Earlier this year he switched to a shiny, black, 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 long box.

"I just decided to go for a change, I guess, try something different," Norwegian said. "I'm happy I did."

Fort Simpson's Lionel Nadia also owns a new Ram. His has a V-8 Hemi engine.

"It's 345-horse and 375 pounds of torque. It's a 4x4 and a nice, big truck," he said, adding that he was also attracted to the styling.

Mike Chemerys, on the other hand, remains a faithful Ford customer. He has been behind the wheel of Ford trucks ever since he got his driver's licence. He currently has a V-10, 2003 F-250 XLT Sport Super Duty in his driveway.

Chemerys said large pickup trucks handle well on the gravel roads.

"And Fords take a pounding a lot better than most others," he said, adding that he once worked as a vehicle mechanic for 10 years.

The contours of the new Dodge Rams don't appeal to Chemerys.

"Too much grill," he said. "One (road) chicken and poof it's gone."

Jean Marie River's Isadore Simon is quick to point out that there's a third player in the pickup truck market -- Chevy. Like the others, Simon was loyal to Ford for many years.

But when he couldn't get a satisfactory deal on a trade-in, he found himself a Chevy dealer.

Simon said he's not interested in the new Rams because there have been too many recalls.

Most of the 2004 models should be available by fall.

May the best automaker win.