Ram has finally revealed details from a major comeback plan aimed at stabilizing sales and expanding its North American lineup.
The news comes only days after the Stellantis brand showed the impressive 1500 Rumble Bee, seen in the main attached image. The American truck brand is preparing several new models, including the long awaited midsize Dakota pickup.
Ram is also planning a compact Rampage for the United States and Canada, along with a large SUV called Ramcharger that is expected to arrive by 2030.
Dakota Returns To The Midsize Pickup Segment
The return of the Dakota name is one of Ram’s most important upcoming projects. The model was first discussed back in 2018, when Sergio Marchionne, then head of Fiat Chrysler, announced plans to bring it back.
The new Dakota will enter a segment long dominated by the Toyota Tacoma. Whether Stellantis can seriously challenge the Japanese rival remains an open question, especially after several years of criticism over vehicle quality and confusing product strategy.
Current information suggests Dakota production should begin in 2028 at Jeep’s plant in Toledo, Ohio. The original plan reportedly involved production in Belvidere, Illinois, but Stellantis has instead decided to invest almost $400 million in the Toledo complex to prepare it for the new pickup.
Rampage Is Coming To North America
Ram is also preparing to expand into the compact pickup segment. The Rampage, already sold in South America and some European markets, will arrive in the United States and Canada.
The model was developed as a rival to the Ford Maverick and uses the Small Wide platform, the same architecture that underpins the Jeep Compass.
Introduced in 2023, the Rampage was the first Ram model built in Brazil. Current engine options include a 2.0L Hurricane gasoline engine and 2.0L and 2.2L Multijet turbodiesels.
A manual transmission is not offered. The only gearbox is a nine speed automatic from ZF.
Ramcharger Becomes A Large SUV
The biggest surprise is the return of the Ramcharger name, but in a very different form than originally expected. The name had first been reserved for a range extended electric version of the Ram 1500, but Stellantis dropped that project because of weak demand for fully electric pickups.
Now, Ramcharger is set to become a large SUV aimed at one of the most profitable parts of the U.S. market.
Historically, Dodge used the Ramcharger name from 1974 to 2001 on a large SUV based on Ram pickup hardware. The new generation is also expected to use the Ram 1500 platform.
If the plan moves forward, the new Ramcharger could become a tougher and more practical alternative to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
Ram Wants To Cover More Of The Market
An electrified range extender powertrain could also be part of the plan. A similar system is used by the 2027 Grand Wagoneer 4xe.
That setup combines a 3.6L Pentastar V6, a generator, a large battery, and two electric motors for a total output of 647 horsepower. The gasoline engine does not drive the wheels directly, but instead produces electricity for the drive system.
With Dakota, Rampage, and Ramcharger, Ram is trying to cover nearly every important truck and SUV segment, from compact pickups to large family SUVs with electrified power.
For a brand that has lost some momentum in recent years, the next four years could be crucial. These models may decide whether Ram can return to a stronger position among America’s leading truck brands.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.