Stellantis puts the brakes on Ram Dakota
Ram customers who are looking for a smaller truck continue to wait. According to insider information gathered from GM Authority, the Ram Dakota project was canceled. Rumours of a Ram Dakota pickup in the mid-size size returning to the lineup have been constant since its departure in 2011. Stellantis has stopped the Dakota rival from returning to the lineup.
Over the past few years, the mid-sized pickup truck market has experienced significant growth. Ford has brought back the Ranger. General Motors offers the Colorado, Canyon and Toyota continues its dominance with the Tacoma. The all-new Frontier mid-sized truck from Nissan was unveiled recently. The Jeep Gladiator blends rugged Wrangler design with the practicality and utility of a truck. Honda continues to dominate the market with its unique Ridgeline unibody truck.
Stellantis has decided to end the Ram Dakota project. However, it could be related to the Jeep Gladiator. Stellantis already has a capable, mid-sized truck that is suitable for the Dakota. Customers can choose between a Gladiator or a Ram truck, which is more family-oriented and offers greater versatility.
Rumours suggested that the Ram Dakota would have the same drivetrain of the Jeep Gladiator, which combines a 3.6-liter V6 and an 8-Speed auto transmission. According to current trends, Ram will need to reveal an off-road version. This would have been a great brother for the Ram 1500 Rebel or bonkers TRX.
This project is being rumored to be cancelled, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get a new Dodge Dakota. There is still hope for the Dakota name to be revived as business cases change and time passes.