For the primary time for the reason that 2011 mannequin yr, Ram will construct a midsize truck beginning in 2027.
The information comes from a barely uncommon supply — not Ram itself, however the United Auto Staff union.
The union introduced late yesterday that Ram “has dedicated to construct the subsequent technology Dodge Durango on the Detroit Meeting Advanced and to reopen the Belvidere Meeting Plant in 2027 and allocate a brand new midsize truck.”
The union secured this dedication from the corporate as a part of the contract settlement that ended a 2023 strike that affected all three main home automakers. However the plan had been doubtful since. Ram guardian firm Stellantis has struggled with oversupply points and profitability issues for the reason that top of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resisted the dedication however resigned final month.
Former Ram chief Tim Kuniskis returned to the corporate shortly after Tavares left and has hinted {that a} midsize truck was possible within the weeks since his return.
We will’t ensure it’ll bear the Dakota identify. Nonetheless, the corporate constructed a midsize truck beneath that identify from 1986 to 2011, and auto lovers nonetheless have some affection for the Dakota badge.
The midsize truck market may use a brand new entry. Cross-town rivals Ford and Normal Motors nonetheless construct midsize vans however supply a extra restricted lineup than they did final time the Dakota competed for gross sales. The Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon are all offered solely in quad-cab-short-bed configurations, as is the Jeep Gladiator.
Solely the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma and slow-selling Nissan Frontier may be had with longer beds, shorter cabs, or each in 2025.
