Are Ram Trucks Part of Stellantis?

Ram Trucks is a well-known American pickup truck and commercial vehicle manufacturer. Most people still regard Ram as being part of Dodge, which is understandable given the two's combined history. Since 2009, however, Ram is a standalone name, independent of Dodge, but both are part of the same parent company. In more contemporary times, Ram, together with FCA's other iconic car brands, merged into a global conglomerate named Stellantis. This post covers the separation of Ram from Dodge, where Ram is integrated into Stellantis, and what this means to the brand's future.

The History of Dodge and Ram

In order to see where Ram belongs within Stellantis, we have to examine where it came from. Ram trucks used to be a model line within Dodge, an American automobile brand with a rich and checkered past.

The Dodge brothers, John and Horace, established Dodge in 1900 as an auto parts supplier. Dodge was producing its own cars by 1914, already gaining a solid reputation for durable vehicles. Chrysler Corporation acquired Dodge in 1928, beginning what would be Dodge's long history with the Chrysler auto family.

Ram as a name for a truck has its roots in 1981 when Dodge had used the name "Ram" for its full-size pickup, replacing the previous Dodge D-Series. For decades now, the Dodge Ram pickup trucks have been among the best-known truck names, being rivals to Ford's F-Series and Chevrolet's Silverado.

The Separation of Dodge and Ram

The separation of Dodge and Ram into individual brands took place in 2009. The action was strategic following Chrysler's financial crisis and subsequent bankruptcy forced the company through a significant restructuring. The action was under Sergio Marchionne, the previous CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).

The rationale behind dividing the brands was simple: to allow Dodge to concentrate on performance cars and Ram on trucks and commercial vehicles. Dodge previously had a reputation for muscle cars and trucks, but Marchionne believed that having a specialty truck brand would allow Ram to compete better in the pickup market.

As a result, Dodge continued to produce high-performance vehicles like the Charger and Challenger, and Ram was established as a standalone truck brand. Although the trucks were no longer labeled "Dodge Ram," they retained the Ram logo and design philosophy that had proven so popular.

The Formation of Stellantis

Flash forward to 2021, and the major shake-up in the auto world again came in the form of Stellantis' creation. Stellantis was created as the product of the merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and French automaker Groupe PSA. The merger united a massive brand portfolio under a single corporate umbrella.

Stellantis is now the global fourth-largest carmaker in terms of volume and third-largest by revenue, commanding a mixed collection of automobile and truck brands around the world. Ram Trucks added to this new auto giant along with other domestic brands including Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler.

Stellantis: Parent of Ram

Ram operates under the umbrella of Stellantis alongside 13 additional brands including:

Chrysler – Renowned for minivans and sedans like the Pacifica and 300.

Dodge – Specialized in performance cars, like the Challenger and Charger.

Jeep – Leader in SUVs and off-road vehicles.

Fiat – An Italian automaker renowned for small city cars.

Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel – European players with strong market presence.

The creation of Stellantis has provided Ram with greater global resources, new technology, and greater opportunities for innovation.

How Stellantis Affects Ram Trucks

Ram continues as an independent brand within Stellatis but enjoys the benefit of the parent company's additional resources. Among the most significant effects of Stellatis ownership are:

More Investment in Electric and Hybrid Technology

Stellantis has committed to electrification on all of its brands. Ram plans to introduce an all-electric Ram 1500 that will be a competitor to the Ford F-150 Lightning and other electric trucks.

Global Expansion

While Ram is predominantly known in North America, Stellantis' global presence can help the brand expand to new markets.

Shared Technology and Platforms

Being a member of a giant automobile conglomerate, Ram gains from sharing facilities with other entities, reducing costs as well as making operations smoother.

Yes, Stellantis owns Ram Trucks. A former nameplate of Dodge, Ram was established as a distinct brand in 2009 and then was merged into Stellantis in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with Groupe PSA. This has given Ram additional resources to remain competitive in the extremely competitive truck segment.

With upcoming innovation of electric trucks and consistent strong demand for its existing products, the future of Ram at Stellantis looks rosy.