It’s been two years since UAW Vice President Rich Boyer announced the Belvidere, Illinois, factory would reopen to build a new mid-size truck. However, we had to wait until this past January for Ram to confirm plans to fill the gap left in 2011 when the Dakota was discontinued. Better late than never, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has now shared more details about the Ford Ranger rival, confirming a 2027 launch.
Speaking at the Kepler Cheuvreux Autumn Conference, Filosa revealed he visited the Detroit design center a couple of weeks ago to see not only sketches but also a full-size clay model of the pickup: “It’s just beautiful. It’s just amazing.” Without going into specifics, he added the truck will have “very good” technical specifications.
The new truck is expected to use a body-on-frame platform capable of accommodating combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric drivetrains. It won’t ride on the STLA Large architecture, which is designed solely for unibody vehicles.
Instead, Stellantis may shorten the STLA Frame, the platform developed for the Ram 1500 Ramcharger and the canceled electric 1500. The latter was intended to rival the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning, but it is now axed due to slower demand for full-size electric pickups.
In standard form, STLA Frame supports vehicles measuring 216 to 234 inches (5,488 to 5,941 millimeters) long and 81.2 to 83.6 inches (2,062 to 2,124 mm) wide, with wheelbases between 123.7 and 145.3 in (3,143 to 3,690 mm). Electric versions promise up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) of range on a single charge and as much as 690 miles (1,110 kilometers) with a range-extending gasoline engine.
The platform also supports a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds (6,350 kilograms) and a payload rating of 2,700 lbs (1,224 kg). However, these specs apply to full-size models, and Ram’s smaller truck likely won’t match them.
As for the name, don’t necessarily expect Dakota. That moniker is returning for a separate truck launching in South America next year. To avoid confusion, Ram will likely choose a different badge for the U.S.-bound model, which will be a larger and entirely different product. There might not be any variety in terms of body styles. Some reports suggest it will be offered exclusively as a four-door Crew Cab.
Pricing remains another missing piece. To lure buyers away from the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma, Ram will need to price the truck competitively. The entry-level trim is expected to start in the low to mid $30,000s and significantly undercut the $40,700 1500 Classic last sold during the 2024 model year.
Source: Kepler Cheuvreux Autumn Conference via The Mopar Junkie / YouTube
