At the 2023 New York Auto Show, Ram announced a new model. Its launch was initially planned for the end of 2024 but was then postponed to 2026. In addition, the manufacturer was working on an electric version of a heavy-duty pickup, which was supposed to appear in 2027, but the project was shut down back in 2024.
This is a surprising decision because heavy-duty trucks are traditionally equipped with diesel engines and are known for their high towing capacity. Electric vehicles still lag behind in this parameter, raising the question – who would even order such a vehicle.
It seems Ram doesn’t have an answer, as the project was terminated without a public announcement. Information about this only became known thanks to a lawsuit.
As sources report, the company Valeo is accusing American Axle & Manufacturing of refusing to compensate for development costs. Valeo invested millions in creating electric motors and inverters for American Axle’s e-Beam systems.
In 2023, American Axle announced a contract with Stellantis, which mentioned a model with front and rear e-Beam axles that included 3-in-1 e-Drive technology. It was also announced then that the vehicle would appear at the end of the decade with a single module combining the motor, inverter, and gearbox.
Although it would have been interesting to see the result of the collaboration, suppliers are now in court over $25 million. Valeo demands payment for the work performed, while American Axle claims there was no legally binding contract between them.