Photo: Ram Trucks
Yesterday we were reporting that the GMC brand is rumored to have a body-on-frame sport utility vehicle in the pipeline. Today, however, Ram appears to cook something similar. Just to be clear, this is not a joke and no, today definitely isn’t April Fools’.
USA Today and Mike Manley, the head of Jeep and Ram, sat down for a chat and the bottom line is that Ram is looking into making a full-size SUV. “You have the opportunity with a new frame for the next-generation Ram. You have the opportunity to take a large SUV off of it because we already have a very, very capable frame today that is going to be upgraded,” said Manley.
I know what you’re thinking. “Whaaaaaat?” Don’t be surprised by this, tough, because everybody has the hots for crossovers and SUVs. It’s the ’in’ crowd of the automotive industry. According to the 5-year plan of Ram Trucks, the major update for the light-duty pickup truck lineup is slated for 2017. As for the start of sales, January 2018 is the period to look forward to.
Heaven only knows if the 2018 Ram 1500-based full-size SUV will happen or when it will be ready for production. Anyway, Manley has another ace up its sleeve. Speaking to the same publication, Mike Manley has made it clear that he’s looking into a revival of the Dakota. But as it is often the case with Fiat Chrysler, nothing has been decided as of yet.
"In terms of midsize pickup for Ram I very much believe that that’s an opportunity for the brand," declared Mike Manley. "Not just because of the success of the few competitors that have been playing in that field, but I …have been part of the history of the brand, I think it remains a great opportunity for us. But I have no definitive plans for that to announce today."
Don’t know about you, but a Ram pickup truck of the mid-sized genre sounds much better to my ears than a full-size SUV. If it weren’t so, General Motors wouldn’t have revived the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
I know what you’re thinking. “Whaaaaaat?” Don’t be surprised by this, tough, because everybody has the hots for crossovers and SUVs. It’s the ’in’ crowd of the automotive industry. According to the 5-year plan of Ram Trucks, the major update for the light-duty pickup truck lineup is slated for 2017. As for the start of sales, January 2018 is the period to look forward to.
Heaven only knows if the 2018 Ram 1500-based full-size SUV will happen or when it will be ready for production. Anyway, Manley has another ace up its sleeve. Speaking to the same publication, Mike Manley has made it clear that he’s looking into a revival of the Dakota. But as it is often the case with Fiat Chrysler, nothing has been decided as of yet.
"In terms of midsize pickup for Ram I very much believe that that’s an opportunity for the brand," declared Mike Manley. "Not just because of the success of the few competitors that have been playing in that field, but I …have been part of the history of the brand, I think it remains a great opportunity for us. But I have no definitive plans for that to announce today."
Don’t know about you, but a Ram pickup truck of the mid-sized genre sounds much better to my ears than a full-size SUV. If it weren’t so, General Motors wouldn’t have revived the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
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