The Government Shutdown May Delay New Ram Pickup Truck (And Other Vehicles) Sales

As the current government shutdown breaks the record as the longest in history it may now start impacting the automotive industry. When it comes to sales, there may be a drop-off. Not because its agencies and employees don’t have the money to buy them, but because they’re not at work to certify new models for sale.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley told The Detroit News that the shutdown has stalled EPA approval for one of the new heavy-duty pickups it revealed at the Detroit Auto Show this week.

While Ram is planning to put several models on sale this spring and has the go-ahead to sell the Ram 2500 truck, the Ram 3500 that made headlines with the most powerful pickup engine ever has yet to have its papers stamped. Heavy Duty trucks account for over a quarter of Ram’s pickup sales. GM confirmed that a number of its 2020 models are also being held up by the EPA process, but declined to reveal which ones.