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Ram’s upcoming direct rival for the top-selling Ford Ranger was formally confirmed for launch in 2028 two weeks in the past, and now the primary technical particulars of the “all-new midsize truck” have been revealed, courtesy of MoparInsiders.
Based on the well-connected US web site, Ram’s smaller dual-cab 4×4 ute – which can look a bit just like the car-based Ram Rampage compact dual-cab offered in South America and pictured right here – might be primarily based on a novel new ladder-frame platform.
That’s regardless of the actual fact it is going to be constructed alongside the Jeep Gladiator, on the Toledo Meeting Complicated in Ohio, somewhat than on the Belvidere Meeting Plant in Illinois as beforehand anticipated, beneath a $US13 billion (A$19.7bn) funding not too long ago introduced by Stellantis for its US manufacturing operations.
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Particularly, the all-new Ram – which may very well be badged because the Dakota – might be assembled at Toledo North, not South, as many had anticipated. The Gladiator is produced within the South facet of the advanced, whereas the North facet will produce the all-new Ford Ranger rival alongside the Wrangler.
Based on MoparInsiders, the choice to base the long-awaited sub-Ram 1500 pickup on a bespoke body-on-frame (BoF) platform developed particularly for this utility – somewhat than make use of an present Ram or Jeep chassis structure – was made to “assist differentiate it from Jeep’s off-road-focused mannequin whereas nonetheless delivering rugged energy and flexibility”.
And the Ram model’s first mid-size dual-cab because the 2011 Dakota – which wasn’t offered exterior North America – will reportedly additionally arrive prior to introduced.
MoparInsiders says its sources near the United Auto Employees (UAW) have confirmed that pilot manufacturing is slated to start in March 2027, forward of a full launch as a 2028 mannequin 12 months car.
They are saying Stellantis expects to promote as much as 100,000 models yearly, which would require the addition of a 3rd shift on the plant – a transfer that’s projected to create over 900 new jobs – with Stellantis planning to recall laid-off staff earlier than hiring externally.
North America’s top-selling mid-size pickup, the Toyota Tacoma, notched up greater than 130,000 gross sales within the first half of 2025 – a major improve following its redesign final 12 months – placing it effectively forward of the Chevrolet Colorado and the Australian-developed Ranger.
However with a $400 million funding within the Toledo Meeting Complicated, and an annual manufacturing goal of 100,000 autos, Stellantis clearly has excessive hopes for its new ‘world metric-tonne pickup’, because it was formally dubbed beforehand.
That signifies the ‘Dakota’ might be inbuilt each left- and right-hand drive codecs for worldwide consumption, and though it’s but to be confirmed for Australia, senior Ram executives have beforehand indicated it will be made obtainable right here – whether or not it’s domestically transformed to RHD alongside the bigger Ram 1500 or not.
“We might love a mid-size Ram for Australia, however to date one has not been supplied to us,” stated Ram Vans Australia’s Group PR Supervisor Joshua Dowling this month.
“We actually can’t communicate on behalf of the US manufacturing unit, but when a mid-size Ram was made obtainable to us, we’d have each palms within the air requesting that car. We expect a mid-sized Ram pickup would work very well in Australia. It could be an ideal addition to our lineup.”
Particulars together with its title, powertrain choices, and trim ranges stay unknown at this stage, however Ram’s first direct rival for among the world’s (and Australia’s) hottest dual-cabs may very well be powered by a variety of hybrid and electrical powertrains already supplied by Stellantis within the US.
The final Dakota was obtainable with V6 and V8 petrol engines, and within the US the Wrangler and Gladiator are supplied with turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V6 petrol engines (and a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the previous).
Nonetheless, the 2 Jeeps not characteristic diesel engines, nonetheless the preferred powertrain amongst utes offered in Australia.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa not too long ago stated Ram’s new mid-size pickup is not going to solely look nice, however be aggressive within the massive and profitable market phase.
“Two weeks in the past I used to be in our design centre in Detroit and I noticed the automotive itself – not solely the sketches and the design however the clay mannequin – and it’s simply stunning,” he stated.
“And all of the specs that we’re imagining within the product briefing are excellent within the phase, in order that’s why 2027 we’ll have a really robust Ram provide in that phase,” he added – earlier than Ram formally introduced a 2028 launch earlier this month.
Ram has competed on this phase earlier than, however has by no means had a full-fledged world mannequin.
The aforementioned Dakota was a North American mannequin, whereas rebadged Mitsubishi Triton and Changan F70 utes offered because the Ram 1200 have been solely supplied in choose Center Japanese and Latin American markets.
Earlier this 12 months, Ram revealed an up to date model of its Changan F70-based ute for Latin America, with the just about production-ready idea sporting the Dakota Dusk nameplate.
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