Ram is still working on a rival to the Ford Ranger, though it’s unclear just what shape it will make.
Chris Feuell – the CEO of the Chrysler brand and, since June 2024, Ram – told Motor Trend the vehicle is still in the works and will be offered globally.
“It will be brought to market,” said Ms Feuell, reportedly adding Ram weighed a couple of different platform options before landing on a decision that she says will surprise.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
2021 Stellantis EV ute teaser
It’s unclear whether this means Ram will eschew traditional body-on-frame construction for unibody underpinnings like the Ford Maverick or its own Rampage, launched in Brazil last year.
Motor Trend reports it could be a while before a concept is revealed, but more details will be disclosed during 2025.
The Dakota nameplate is reportedly being considered, while multiple powertrains will be available.
While the Ram boss didn’t share any further details, the current labour agreement with the United Auto Workers union had called for the Belvidere plant in Illinois – mothballed in 2023 after Jeep Cherokee production ended – to produce a Ram-sized ute model from 2027.
Ram parent Stellantis subsequently announced in August 2024 it was delaying its planned investments in the plant.
Mexican-market Ram 1200
The company had teased in wireframe what appeared to be a Ford Ranger-sized ute with an electric powertrain back in 2021, riding the STLA Large architecture.
Then-Ram CEO Mike Koval Jr subsequently told CarExpert in April 2023 the brand had shown a concept to North American dealers in Las Vegas earlier that year, and confirmed the model was being developed with international and right-hand drive markets in mind.
However, in a release further detailing the STLA Large platform in 2024, Stellantis made no mention of the Ram brand.
Stellantis has confirmed this platform can support combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains.
Previous Ram 1200 
Dodge/Ram Dakota
It’s unclear whether this means the upcoming Ram model will instead use the STLA Medium platform, or the STLA Frame platform underpinning the range-extender Ram 1500 Ramcharger and electric 1500 REV that have been delayed to 2025.
The new Dakota, if that’s what the new ute ends up being called, will finally give Ram a rival for the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma in its home market.
It last offered one in 2010 with the Dakota, though it has competed in this segment in other markets.
Ram Rampage
The Ram 1200 nameplate was used first on a rebadged Mitsubishi Triton in the Middle East, and then on the Changan F70 in Mexico from this year; this Chinese ute is also sold in Africa as the Peugeot Landtrek.
But beyond these mere rebadges, Ram has also developed a Ford Ranger-sized ute of its own: the Rampage.
Unlike the different Ram 1200 models, and indeed most utes including the top-selling Ranger and Toyota HiLux, it features unibody – instead of body-on-frame – construction and is related to the Jeep Compass.
It’s available with a choice of two engines: a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 149kW of power and 450Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 200kW and 400Nm.
