We've known for some time that Ram is cooking up a new mid-size pickup set to compete with the Ford Ranger and others in that burgeoning segment, after it discounted the Dakota way back in 2011. This on again, off again project is officially back on again, and will result in the addition of a new mid-size Ram pickup utilizing body-on-frame construction that's currently set to debut in 2028. Otherwise, not much is known about this new Ford Ranger rival, but now, we're learning a little bit more about its chassis, specifically.
According to Mopar Insiders, the forthcoming mid-size Ram pickup will in fact utilize its own unique chassis, which is being designed specifically for that model. What makes this decision somewhat surprising is the fact that the future model will be built alongside the mid-size Jeep Gladiator pickup (and Wrangler SUV) at the Toledo Assembly Complex - rather than the the Belvidere Assembly plant, as previously expected.
Thus, it would have made sense to use the Gladiator's chassis to underpin the future Ram mid-size pickup, but it seems as if Stellantis wants to differentiate it from that existing product, which is more focused on off-road capability.
In any event, pilot production of the new pickup is slated to begin at Toledo in the spring of 2027, with an expected launch months later as a 2028 model year vehicle. Stellantis will add an additional 900 jobs to that facility to support production of a third model, and infuse it with a $400 million dollar investment that's part of a larger $13 billion slated for the automaker's U.S. operations
As Ford Authority previously reported, Stellantis originally planned to underpin the mid-size Ram pickup with the STLA Large platform - a unibody architecture. Otherwise, the smaller Ram will be offered exclusively in four-door Crew Cab format, with an expected starting price tag of less than $40,000.
Comments
Less than $40,000 in 2028? I doubt it.
Will a Hemi be in the offing???