Ram confirms smaller, sub-1500 HiLux ute rival is on Australian wish list

Yesterday at 03:00 PM

Ram Trucks’ global boss has confirmed a long-rumoured smaller, mid-size pick-up will be put into production in 2028, with the Australian arm saying it wants the vehicle in local showrooms.

The new yet-to-be-named mid-size pick-up is effectively a replacement for the Dodge Dakota – not produced since 2010 – and similar in size to the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and upcoming Kia Tasman – although it could be even smaller according to US publication Motor Trend.

While Stellantis – the parent company of Ram Trucks – said in 2023 a mid-size business case was being evaluated, Ram CEO Chris Feuell definitively told Motor Trend, "It will be brought to market".

The CEO described the as a ‘global model’ with broad appeal and affordability, although North American customers would still be prioritised.

"A mid-size ute is on our wish list for Ram in Australia," Ram Trucks Australia Managing Director, Jeff Barber, told Drive.

"It has been on our radar for years and we think it would be a good fit for Australia."

The Motor Trend report says the Ram has chosen a path for the mid-size model but has not confirmed publicly if it will use its STLA ladder-frame chassis – like the Ram 1200 sold in Mexico – meaning it could use car-like unibody construction like the Ram Rampage sold in South Africa.

That's also the path rival Ford took with its small Maverick pick-up – not sold in Australia – which uses the unibody underpinnings of the Ford Escape SUV, suggesting the Ram could be even smaller.

With the popularity of hybrid models increasing significantly in the United States (US) in 2024, Feuell also said the new pick-up will be offered with a number of powertrain options when it lands in showrooms.

The company's Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant was reportedly retooled to produce a smaller pick-up than the current Ram 1500 as part of a deal with the United Auto Workers (UAW) for its reopening in 2027.

That followed strikes from workers after the factory was idled indefinitely in February 2023, having previously built the Jeep Cherokee SUV, resulting in 1200 job losses. 

However, the company announced in August 2024 it would delay the reopening of the plant – citing sliding Stellantis sales – saying it would not cancel the reopening and pledged to keep its side of the UAW agreement.

The revised timing would see the assembly plant restart operation in "late 2028" which is beyond the UAW expiration date, prompting some workers to suggest the company is looking to renege on the deal to reopen.

The Belvidere plant is not the only Stellantis factory to suffer job cuts, with production paused at the Jefferson, Detroit factory – where Australian Jeep Cherokee supply is built – in November 2024.

Production was also suspended at other plants, including the Toledo Assembly Complex where the Jeep Wrangler SUV and Jeep Gladiator ute are made, as well as the Warren Truck Assembly Plant which builds the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

Ram also recently delayed the introduction of its Ram 1500 REV electric ute and Ramcharger range-extender, previously planned before the end of 2024, now set to arrive in US showrooms in 2025.

Stellantis has endured a tough 2024, with CEO Carlos Tavares threatening to close down any of the brands in the mega-house of car makers it owns – including Ferrari, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Leapmotor – if they're not profitable.

Global sales were down 20 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter (June-July-August) of 2024, with a company statement saying the company was reducing excess stock in the US facing "headwinds from a challenging European market."

Tavares himself announced he would retire from the top job at the start of 2026 when the company will also review its 10-year strategy the same year – four years earlier than originally planned.

The post Ram confirms smaller, sub-1500 HiLux ute rival is on Australian wish list appeared first on Drive.