Interesting update regarding 2025 Gladiators

[Sweetums]

Custom jobs are slightly different than mass production for general consumers.

Yeah, they are way more expensive. Adding mounting points for a diff and IFS to the chassis isn't that hard to do at the scale we are talking about. The JT chassis is already Frankenstein'd together as-is.

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[Iam_Gladiator]

So is the 4Xe happening or not?

Alot of conflicting information out there

Facts, at this point I’d rather here who is replacing Carlos and whom is handling N. America.

 

[LostWoods]

Yeah, they are way more expensive. Adding mounting points for a diff and IFS to the chassis isn't that hard to do at the scale we are talking about. The JT chassis is already Frankenstein'd together as-is.

It's so simple a five year old can do it.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I understand what you're saying, but Ram's midsized truck won't be on the same platform at the Gladiator, right?

I can't remember all the details, but my insider told me that a Ram midsize pickup is coming, but it will be on the STLA large platform, which I believe is planned for the plant in Belvedere, IL. Keep in mind, this is information from 6 months ago, so I don't know if there's been any changes. At that time, they said it would be a 2026 model.

I thought the Nuevo Dakota was leaked a long time before that so I googled it- C&D was reporting on this back in mid-2019 as a possible 2021 release. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28209983/ram-dakota-future-mid-size-pickup/

I'm still baffled they haven't moved aggressively to bring the Brazilian Rampage to the USDM. Maverick, Santa Cruz sales have proven there's a market for a capable unibody trucklette. From what I recall it shares underpinnings with the Tonale/Hornet that have sold in the dozens here in Estates Unidos. They'd probably have excess capacity at the Italian plant if it wasn't for the Chicken Tax.

 

[biodiesel]

I thought the Nuevo Dakota was leaked a long time before that so I googled it- C&D was reporting on this back in mid-2019 as a possible 2021 release.

Fortunately, I know a few people who work for FCA that can either confirm or debunk some of what is leaked. Like I said, the last time I talked to someone with knowledge, they said the new Ram midsize/compact truck would be a 2026 model and it was planned to be built in Belvedere, IL on the STLA large platform. Now, I can't remember what else was going to be built in Belvedere that would share the same platform, but that was the most likely scenario about 6 months ago. However, I've been told that many plans have been put on hold, so I'm not sure what's happening.

I'm still baffled they haven't moved aggressively to bring the Brazilian Rampage to the USDM. Maverick, Santa Cruz sales have proven there's a market for a capable unibody trucklette.

Yes, I've been excited for Ram to bring a compact truck to North America. I think Ford did a great job on the Maverick. If indeed my information is correct, then the large STLA platform would still work for the Rampage (or whatever Ram decides to call it in North America).

Rampage overall length: 190 inches
Rampage overall width: 74.3 inches
Rampage wheelbase: 117.9 inches
Rampage ground clearance: 10.39 inches
Rampage tire diameter: 29.03 inches

Key STLA Large metrics:

• Overall length range: 187.6-201.8 inches (4,764-5,126 mm)
• Overall width range: 74.7-79.9 inches (1,897-2,030 mm)
• Wheelbase range: 113.0-121.1 inches (2,870-3,075 mm)
• Ground clearance range: 5.5-11.3 inches (140-288 mm)
• Maximum tire diameter: 32.6 inches (858 mm)

 

[biodiesel]

Now, I can't remember what else was going to be built in Belvedere that would share the same platform, but that was the most likely scenario about 6 months ago.

Update: I was curious what was being built in Belvidere, IL, so I did a quick google. Here's what I found.


"On December 9, 2022, Stellantis announced that Belvidere Assembly would be placed into an "indefinite closure" effective February 28, 2023. The Belvidere site was a point of contention in 2023 United Auto Workers strike, with the United Auto Workers and Stellantis negotiating a future use for the site. The resulting contract, announced on October 28, 2023, includes the reopening of the plant in early 2025, reportedly to assemble a new mid-size Ram pickup truck. A planned expansion would also add an electric vehicle battery plant, creating 1,100 new jobs at the facility.

On November 9, 2023, President Joe Biden visited Belvidere and held a speech with local UAW leaders on the reopening of the plant.

In August 2024, Stellantis has said that it was delaying investments in the plant."

 

[BourbonRunner]

In August 2024, Stellantis has said that it was delaying investments in the plant."

Lots of cause and effect IMO for Belvidere and elsewhere. Most of it comes back to Stellantis/Carlos Tavares making boneheaded decisions and hemorrhaging money while sales are down.

I could go into great detail but the bottom line is this company (at least its FCA division) is adept at just happening and not actually being run.

This is why myself and others think it's only a matter of time before Stellantis completely abandons the USDM, sells Jeep and Ram along with all the IP for Chrysler Corp to someone else, and focuses its efforts elsewhere. I still think VW is the most likely suitor if it isn't some CCP-owned company or Tata.

If a CCP company buys it they will forever lose me as a customer, just like Volvo did.

 

[biodiesel]

Lots of cause and effect IMO for Belvidere and elsewhere. Most of it comes back to Stellantis/Carlos Tavares making boneheaded decisions and hemorrhaging money while sales are down.

I could go into great detail but the bottom line is this company (at least its FCA division) is adept at just happening and not actually being run.

We've talked about this before, but under Sergio, we would have had a 5-year plan. When a decision was reached under Sergio, he would stick to the plan and any deviation would be accepted as normal for the industry.

In this case, you have Stellantis announcing an indefinite plant closer in December of 2022, then the company reverses their decision in October of 2023. And by 2024, they put everything on hold. This not only shows gross incompetence, but it also shows that Stellantis doesn't have any long-term commitments or plans, which is why new vehicles aren't being brought to the market.

 

[BourbonRunner]

We've talked about this before, but under Sergio, we would have had a 5-year plan. When a decision was reached under Sergio, he would stick to the plan and any deviation would be accepted as normal for the industry.

In this case, you have Stellantis announcing an indefinite plant closer in December of 2022, then the company reverses their decision in October of 2023. And by 2024, they put everything on hold. This not only shows gross incompetence, but it also shows that Stellantis doesn't have any long-term commitments or plans, which is why new vehicles aren't being brought to the market.

We sure have and yes on all points.

I do think the massive CAFE fines/taxes they've paid has a lot to do with it. Last I checked Stellysler would be subjected to $3B in new CAFE fines under the most recent change in economy standards and still owes Uncle Sam about a half billion for previous years.

Putting that into perspective, to develop a new vehicle from the ground up and retool a plant to make it is measured in the hundreds of millions. If you're effectively lighting $3B on fire by paying a tax, you're starving R&D and assembly divisions of capital.

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