Ram had been promised a midsize truck during Capital Markets Day 2018, but unfortunately, the successor to the Dakota didn’t materialize. Even after the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA into Stellantis, the Ram brand continued to await its midsize truck.
Finally, there’s hope on the horizon, with a new midsize Ram truck slated for 2027 production at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. Estimated annual production is set at 80,000 to 100,000 units. In the interim, Ram competes with full-size trucks like the Ram 1500 Classic, distinct from the newer Ram 1500.
The Ram 1500 Classic was introduced in 2019, continuing the previous generation’s lineup alongside the new Ram 1500. In Canada, its final year is 2024, with the remaining inventory set to sell through. Stellantis Canada has confirmed this.
Despite the availability of the newer Ram 1500, the decision to keep the Classic alive in the United States and Mexico was strategic, given its competitive starting price of $32,345 compared to the higher-priced 1500 starting at $40,275. The Classic also offers high-end variants like the Hellcat-powered TRX and the 6-cylinder RHO, positioned competitively against rivals like the F-150 Raptor.
It’s worth noting that Ram missed an opportunity to introduce a midsize pickup back in 2018 when Jeep debuted the Gladiator, a Wrangler-styled off-road pickup with features reminiscent of the Ram 1500.
The Gladiator, with its respectable towing and payload capacities matching or surpassing competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma, could have been a potential offering under the Ram brand. Similarly powered by a V6 engine, the Gladiator shares some DNA with the Ram lineup, hinting at what could have been.
