by New Ram Mid-Size Pickup Preparing for Production
The mid-size pickup market will soon welcome a new player as the Ram brand actively prepares its long-awaited model debut. Although the name remains a secret until production begins in 2028, key details are already known: the assembly location and a unique platform that will distinguish it from competitors.
Key Features of the Future Model
Change in Production Plans
Initially, Stellantis planned to produce this pickup in Belvidere, Illinois, but it has now been decided to move production to Toledo. The same plant produces the Jeep Wrangler, and for the new model, the company will create an additional shift, hire about 900 employees, and recall some of the temporarily laid-off workers.
According to a source close to the United Auto Workers, pilot production will begin in March 2027 with an annual target of 100,000 units.
If Ram manages to achieve this indicator and sell most of the produced vehicles, the brand could become one of the leaders in the segment, competing with Toyota, Ford, and General Motors.
Uniqueness of the Design
The most unexpected aspect is that the Ram will not be a simple “rebadge” of the Jeep Gladiator. Instead, the pickup will receive an individual frame platform, albeit with a similar design approach. This opens up the possibility for Jeep to use this architecture for future generations of the Gladiator, if such are created.
Sources report that the Ram chassis will be oriented towards comfort on public roads, rather than just off-road capabilities.
Investments and Prospects
Stellantis is investing about $400 million in modernizing the Toledo plant as part of a broader $13 billion plan aimed at developing the manufacturing base in the USA. Although details about the future pickup remain limited, current preparatory work indicates Ram’s serious intentions to return to the segment that the brand left over a decade ago.
Ram’s return to mid-size pickups is occurring during a period of active growth in demand for more compact utility vehicles, which will allow the company to fill the gap between full-size models and compact crossovers. Considering the investments in production and the uniqueness of the platform, this move could significantly strengthen Stellantis’s competitive position in the American market.
