États-Unis
Ram
Ram is an American brand of pickup trucks and utility vehicles, created in 2009 when it was split off from Dodge. The "Ram" name itself, however, is much older: it first appeared in 1981 on Dodge trucks, which were then known as the "Dodge Ram." For nearly three decades, these pickups were sold under the Dodge banner. The turning point came shortly after Chrysler was taken over by Italy's Fiat in 2009. Management then decided to separate the brands: Dodge would focus on performance cars, while Ram would become a division dedicated exclusively to trucks and commercial vehicles. This repositioning was intended to give the pickups their own identity, distinct from the sedans and the more sporting models. Over the course of the 2010s, Ram consolidated its lineup around the full-size 1500 pickup and the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models, and broadened its commercial offering. In 2014, the brand introduced the ProMaster van to North America, the first product jointly developed by Ram and Fiat Professional, derived from the Fiat Ducato. In 2021, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with the PSA Group to form Stellantis, one of the largest automotive groups in the world. Ram is today a division of Stellantis North America. The brand holds a central place in the highly competitive segment of North American full-size pickups, where it competes directly with the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado. In Canada as in the United States, Ram enjoys a strong commercial presence, supported by a network of Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealerships. Its reputation has been built in particular on the ride comfort of the 1500, the ruggedness of its heavy-duty models equipped with the Cummins diesel engine, and its strong orientation toward work and towing. The brand remains deeply rooted in the North American market, both in its design and in its production.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitairePopulairesAméricaines
History
History of Ram
Ram is an American brand of pickup trucks and utility vehicles, created in 2009 when it was split off from Dodge. The "Ram" name itself, however, is much older: it first appeared in 1981 on Dodge trucks, which were then known as the "Dodge Ram." For nearly three decades, these pickups were sold under the Dodge banner. The turning point came shortly after Chrysler was taken over by Italy's Fiat in 2009. Management then decided to separate the brands: Dodge would focus on performance cars, while Ram would become a division dedicated exclusively to trucks and commercial vehicles. This repositioning was intended to give the pickups their own identity, distinct from the sedans and the more sporting models. Over the course of the 2010s, Ram consolidated its lineup around the full-size 1500 pickup and the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models, and broadened its commercial offering. In 2014, the brand introduced the ProMaster van to North America, the first product jointly developed by Ram and Fiat Professional, derived from the Fiat Ducato. In 2021, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with the PSA Group to form Stellantis, one of the largest automotive groups in the world. Ram is today a division of Stellantis North America. The brand holds a central place in the highly competitive segment of North American full-size pickups, where it competes directly with the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado. In Canada as in the United States, Ram enjoys a strong commercial presence, supported by a network of Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealerships. Its reputation has been built in particular on the ride comfort of the 1500, the ruggedness of its heavy-duty models equipped with the Cummins diesel engine, and its strong orientation toward work and towing. The brand remains deeply rooted in the North American market, both in its design and in its production.
Public founding or origin of Ram.
1500: launch or first listed period.
2500: launch or first listed period.
ProMaster: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Ram offers several powertrains depending on the model. The 1500 has been available with the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 5.7L HEMI V8 and, more recently, the turbocharged 3.0L Hurricane inline-six engines (standard and high-output versions), before the return of the HEMI V8 for 2026 in response to demand. The heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models rely on the 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI gasoline V8s, as well as on the renowned turbocharged Cummins six-cylinder diesel, prized for towing. The ProMaster van, with front-wheel drive and unibody construction, uses the Pentastar gasoline V6 and has also been offered with a diesel. On the technology side, Ram integrates driver-assistance systems, large Uconnect touchscreens, optional air suspension on the 1500, and is developing an electric version of its pickup.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
An American brand of Stellantis dedicated to full-size pickups and commercial vehicles, focused on comfort, work, and towing.
Reputation
Ram's reputation is generally good, but nuanced. The 1500 is praised for its ride comfort, its refined cabin and its smoothness, often considered among the most pleasant in its class. RepairPal in fact ranks the 1500 well for reliability among full-size pickups. Road tests credit it with a good balance between work capability and driving enjoyment. As for long-term reliability, some assessments place Ram slightly behind Ford and Chevrolet, and regular maintenance remains essential. Resale value is solid for the heavy-duty models (the 2500 and 3500, supported by the Cummins), while the 1500 holds its value more moderately.
Strengths
Ram stands out for the ride comfort and interior refinement of its 1500 pickup, frequently cited as benchmarks in the segment. The heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 lineup, powered by the Cummins diesel, offers towing and load capacities that are well regarded, with solid resale value. The brand offers a wide variety of configurations, from the ProMaster commercial van to rugged work trucks, supported by a vast North American network.
Points to watch
Ram's long-term reliability is sometimes judged to be behind that of Ford and Chevrolet, and some models require rigorous maintenance. The resale value of the 1500 remains more moderate than that of the heavy-duty models. The complexity of certain recent powertrains and electronic systems can drive up maintenance costs. The change in the 1500's bolt pattern in 2019 also complicates wheel compatibility between generations, a point to check at the time of purchase.
Models
Ram models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Ram's production is firmly rooted in North America. In the United States, the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, builds the 1500 pickup. The Warren Truck plant, also in Michigan, long assembled versions of the 1500, including the 1500 Classic. In Mexico, the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant plays a major role, notably for the heavy-duty 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 models, and has seen its share of production grow. The ProMaster van shares its underpinnings with the Fiat Ducato. This distribution makes Ram a brand whose manufacturing remains essentially North American, between Michigan and Mexico.
Tires and wheels
Ram trucks cover a wide range of sizes. The 1500 commonly comes with 18-, 20- or 22-inch wheels, with tires such as 265/70R18 or wider sizes on larger wheels. Pay attention to the bolt pattern: the fifth-generation 1500 (2019 and newer) uses a 6-lug pattern (6x139.7), different from earlier generations. The heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models use an 8-lug pattern (8x165.1), incompatible with the 1500, and often require a minimum of 17 inches. In Quebec, dedicated winter tires (often in 17 or 18 inches) are strongly recommended for these heavy-duty vehicles. Always verify the exact size and bolt pattern according to the year and model.