Midsize pickups offer the utility of having a cargo bed, but they’re also more easily maneuverable and generally less expensive than brands’ full-size or heavy-duty offerings. Customers already have options in the U.S., such as the
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has been absent from the crowded midsize truck segment since the Dakota’s retirement after the 2011 model year. As an alternative, the brand offered the Ram 1500 Classic, which was an earlier generation of the pickup available for thousands less than the base models of the
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. It gave Ram an intriguing alternative to building a new, smaller truck.
Ram announced the 1500 Classic’s retirement in 2024. Now, brand CEO Chris Feuell confirms there’s a smaller pickup on the horizon.
A New Dakota?
Unfortunately, Feuell wasn’t willing to say much more about the midsize truck. She said the company had already decided on a platform for the pickup but indicated this info was a surprise announcement for later. She also indicated that reviving the Dakota model name was possible, but Ram hadn’t decided on a final moniker for this product yet. More details about the vehicle will come in 2025.
There’s still the possibility for the midsize truck to ride on a body-on-frame platform. However, Ram’s parent company, Stellantis, also has its unibody STLA Large and Medium underpinnings that could support a smaller pickup. The production timeline for the tinier Ram truck is also a mystery. According to an agreement with the United Auto Workers union, the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois might receive upgrades to support building this pickup. If that happens, then production could begin around 2027.
So far, there are no powertrain details, but Stellantis is engineering its new platforms to support purely combustion, hybrid, and even EV layouts. TopSpeed reached out to Ram for more details about the smaller pickup, but a spokesperson had no comment.
Troubled Waters Ahead?
While the prospect of a Dakota successor from Ram is extremely tempting, Stellantis is currently in a mild state of chaos as it deals with poor sales and managing 14 automotive marques worldwide. Amid this storm, Ram pushed back the launch of the 1500 Ramcharger and REV electric pickup. In addition, Company CEO Carlos Tavares even suddenly stepped down in early December. John Elkann is the chairman of the interim executive committee while the automaker is looking for a new boss.
“In recent weeks, different views have emerged, which have resulted in the Board and the CEO coming to today’s decision,” said Henri de Castries, Stellantis’ Senior Independent Director, after Tavares stepped down.
TopSpeed’s Take
For lots of buyers, midsize pickups are the perfect vehicle choice. They still offer the utility of a truck bed but with a smaller physical footprint than bigger models. More models competing in this segment can only be good because it forces other automakers to produce a better product. Let’s see if Ram can finally bring a smaller truck back to the US.
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