(Ram Dakota) midsize pickup truck to be built in Toledo in 2028!

[Stan H]

@ShadowsPapa I do love the Javelin

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[Mr Miami]

I love the mojito color. That would be my first choice if I was buying a new one. But I wouldn't need the plow option but just opt for the steel winch-capable bumper.

 

[biodiesel]

Ram’s New Midsize Pickup Won’t Share Jeep’s Platform After All

A US-Bound Ram Midsize Truck
Ram already sells a Dakota midsize pickup in South America (depicted here), but the US is still waiting for its own version. That wait is finally coming to an end, with Stellantis confirming the development of a new, unnamed midsize truck for North America and hinting that it would share some DNA with Jeep's ladder-frame off-roaders, like the Gladiator and Wrangler. However, new information suggests Ram's midsize entry will go in a slightly different direction, featuring a unique platform designed specifically for this truck.

Rather than sharing the Gladiator's exact underpinnings as expected, Ram's truck will ride on a custom body-on-frame layout tuned to its brand's strengths – rugged capability with a smoother road presence. Sounds practical, as it gives Ram room to shape its own identity within the midsize segment while still benefiting from Jeep's off-road expertise.

Built With the Jeeps, But With a Twist
According to Mopar Insiders, the new Ram midsize truck will be assembled at Toledo North Assembly in Ohio, not Toledo South as previously assumed. The distinction matters: Toledo South handles the Gladiator, while the North side builds the Wrangler. Stellantis' choice means a more standalone approach for Ram's midsize pickup rather than a spin-off of Jeep's existing lineup.

The publication's sources close to the United Auto Workers (UAW) have confirmed that pilot production begins in March 2027, followed by a full 2028 model-year launch. Stellantis reportedly plans to produce up to 100,000 units annually, enough to justify adding a third shift at the facility. The expansion is expected to create over 900 new jobs, with Stellantis recalling laid-off workers before external hiring begins.

Expect a Debut in 2027
Stellantis has announced a $13 billion US investment plan, including $400 million earmarked for building a new midsize truck at the Toledo Assembly Complex. That statement hinted at a shared platform with Jeep's off-roaders, but the latest developments say otherwise. Whatever the case may be, it appears that Stellantis is spending to support its return in the midsize segment with a Ram badge in front.

The project's schedule lines up with Stellantis' rollout plan, which targets major model launches between 2028 and 2029. That means the new Ram will likely be revealed, at least in design, sometime in 2027, aimed squarely at the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. While not confirmed, pricing is expected to start around $30,000 to give it a fighting chance against the segment stalwarts.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ram’s New Midsize Pickup Won’t Share Jeep’s Platform After All

A US-Bound Ram Midsize Truck
Ram already sells a Dakota midsize pickup in South America (depicted here), but the US is still waiting for its own version. That wait is finally coming to an end, with Stellantis confirming the development of a new, unnamed midsize truck for North America and hinting that it would share some DNA with Jeep's ladder-frame off-roaders, like the Gladiator and Wrangler. However, new information suggests Ram's midsize entry will go in a slightly different direction, featuring a unique platform designed specifically for this truck.

Rather than sharing the Gladiator's exact underpinnings as expected, Ram's truck will ride on a custom body-on-frame layout tuned to its brand's strengths – rugged capability with a smoother road presence. Sounds practical, as it gives Ram room to shape its own identity within the midsize segment while still benefiting from Jeep's off-road expertise.

Built With the Jeeps, But With a Twist
According to Mopar Insiders, the new Ram midsize truck will be assembled at Toledo North Assembly in Ohio, not Toledo South as previously assumed. The distinction matters: Toledo South handles the Gladiator, while the North side builds the Wrangler. Stellantis' choice means a more standalone approach for Ram's midsize pickup rather than a spin-off of Jeep's existing lineup.

The publication's sources close to the United Auto Workers (UAW) have confirmed that pilot production begins in March 2027, followed by a full 2028 model-year launch. Stellantis reportedly plans to produce up to 100,000 units annually, enough to justify adding a third shift at the facility. The expansion is expected to create over 900 new jobs, with Stellantis recalling laid-off workers before external hiring begins.

Expect a Debut in 2027
Stellantis has announced a $13 billion US investment plan, including $400 million earmarked for building a new midsize truck at the Toledo Assembly Complex. That statement hinted at a shared platform with Jeep's off-roaders, but the latest developments say otherwise. Whatever the case may be, it appears that Stellantis is spending to support its return in the midsize segment with a Ram badge in front.

The project's schedule lines up with Stellantis' rollout plan, which targets major model launches between 2028 and 2029. That means the new Ram will likely be revealed, at least in design, sometime in 2027, aimed squarely at the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. While not confirmed, pricing is expected to start around $30,000 to give it a fighting chance against the segment stalwarts.

That's what happens when we get inside information, speculation, blog reports, car magazine "experts" reporting on the future.
They were so wrong on several levels.

 

[biodiesel]

That's what happens when we get inside information, speculation, blog reports, car magazine "experts" reporting on the future.
They were so wrong on several levels.

To be fair, Stellantis has also changed their plans multiple times. For example, earlier this year the CEO of Ram (Tim Kuniskis) confirmed that the Dakota would be built in Belvidere, Illinois.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Magna Steyr builds completely different makes and models on the same line in Austria. BMW, Toyota, Porsche, misc Chinese... All rolling down the line together.

There's no particular reason things on the same line have to share any parts. That's what sequencing is for.

Also, people should really shed their brand loyalty, because your favorite brand, is just assembling parts from the same 20 tier 1's as the brand you hate. Made o the same lines and equipment by the same people.

 

[Stan H]

Also, people should really shed their brand loyalty, because your favorite brand, is just assembling parts from the same 20 tier 1's as the brand you hate. Made o the same lines and equipment by the same people.

Mweh, I do know from research that Raybestos for example makes the fiction disc for the transmission 850RE , now as to the rest of that . Some proving be done before I take that bait.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Mweh, I do know from research that Raybestos for example makes the fiction disc for the transmission 850RE , now as to the rest of that . Some proving be done before I take that bait.

You know who doesn't make the frictions?

Stellantis.

You know who else Raybestos makes frictions for?

Everyone they can.

But your favorite brand... It's special... it's not like those other brands... Before it assembles parts sourced from the same sources everyone else uses, it puts the most important ingredient of all in... Love.

 

[Stan H]

But your favorite brand... It's special... it's not like those other brands... Before it assembles parts sourced from the same sources everyone else uses, it puts the most important ingredient of all in... Love.

Awwwww and that is what makes it so special , I just Love that Jeep Loves me , Cause I Love them too there the cats out of the bag, Now the whole world knows . I Love Jeeps

 

[ChrisNLA]

Magna Steyr builds completely different makes and models on the same line in Austria. BMW, Toyota, Porsche, misc Chinese... All rolling down the line together.

There's no particular reason things on the same line have to share any parts. That's what sequencing is for.

Also, people should really shed their brand loyalty, because your favorite brand, is just assembling parts from the same 20 tier 1's as the brand you hate. Made o the same lines and equipment by the same people.

Start's to be less like 'what brand do I like' and more like 'what motor or transmission do I like' and shop whatever vehicles it comes in Since things like the ZF 8 speed ended up everywhere, and the Ford and GM 10 speed autos are practically identical...

Or the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4. Buying the same car either way.

 

[Gvsukids]

what motor or transmission do I like

Whoever supplied the parts for my motor had bad parts; as my motor has been rebuilt under warranty.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Start's to be less like 'what brand do I like' and more like 'what motor or transmission do I like' and shop whatever vehicles it comes in Since things like the ZF 8 speed ended up everywhere, and the Ford and GM 10 speed autos are practically identical...

Or the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4. Buying the same car either way.

Our experience putting 285,000 miles on our Grand Cherokee with a ZF8 and 445,000 miles on my old Ram with a ZF8 were definitely sways in favor of a Wrangler/Gladiator with a ZF8 over a Bronco with a sketchy auto or 4runner with an obsolete 5 speed.

 

[biodiesel]

Start's to be less like 'what brand do I like' and more like 'what motor or transmission do I like' and shop whatever vehicles it comes in

It goes much deeper than that, but I get the sentiment. The Gladiator doesn't share the body or chassis with anyone else. They don't share their design, their engine, their interior, their styling, their suspension, etc.

Personally speaking, it's been easy thus far to be brand loyal towards Ram, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler since they offer a variety of vehicles. In the last decade, the Dodge Charger and Challenger were quite impressive if you wanted a car. The Dodge Durango makes a nice SUV. Chrysler Pacifica is one of the top minivans. Ram makes a nice 1500, 2500, and 3500 truck. Jeep has offered a lot of variety and capability over the last decade. There's not a lot of interest to leave the Stellantis brand, at least not yet.

We live in rural USA, so trucks and SUVs are pretty much our go-to vehicle. This also means that we don't have any plans to purchase a car, crossover, or other car-like SUVs including FIAT, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Our experience putting 285,000 miles on our Grand Cherokee with a ZF8 and 445,000 miles on my old Ram with a ZF8 were definitely sways in favor of a Wrangler/Gladiator with a ZF8 over a Bronco with a sketchy auto or 4runner with an obsolete 5 speed.

I had a ZF8 replaced at 21k miles and my Ford 10 speed hasn't had issues in 105k miles.

 

[Stan H]

It goes much deeper than that, but I get the sentiment. The Gladiator doesn't share the body or chassis with anyone else. They don't share their design, their engine, their interior, their styling, their suspension, etc.

Personally speaking, it's been easy thus far to be brand loyal towards Ram, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler since they offer a variety of vehicles. In the last decade, the Dodge Charger and Challenger were quite impressive if you wanted a car. The Dodge Durango makes a nice SUV. Chrysler Pacifica is one of the top minivans. Ram makes a nice 1500, 2500, and 3500 truck. Jeep has offered a lot of variety and capability over the last decade. There's not a lot of interest to leave the Stellantis brand, at least not yet.

We live in rural USA, so trucks and SUVs are pretty much our go-to vehicle. This also means that we don't have any plans to purchase a car, crossover, or other car-like SUVs including FIAT, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo.

True story @biodiesel we lived so rural when I was a kid they didn't even have our local on a map . We just lived in one of those blank spots got our mail from another county. Which sounds like where you live

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