Ram Trucks: Who Owns It and What’s Behind the Brand Name Confusion
If you’ve ever wondered who actually owns Ram Trucks, you’re not alone. The Ram brand has an interesting history filled with name changes, corporate restructuring, and marketing shifts that have left many drivers scratching their heads. While Ram has become one of America’s top truck brands, the story behind its ownership explains why there’s often confusion about where it came from-and who runs it today.
Answer: Ram Trucks is owned by Stellantis
Ram Trucks is a subsidiary of Stellantis, a global automaker created in 2021 from a merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot S.A. (PSA Group). Stellantis now operates several popular vehicle brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
So, when you buy a new Ram 1500 or Ram Heavy Duty, you’re buying a truck built under the Stellantis corporate umbrella. But the reason people still sometimes associate Ram with Dodge-or even Chrysler-comes down to how the brand evolved over time.
Ram Origin: The Dodge Connection
To understand the confusion, you need to go back in history to the early days of the Dodge brand. Ram trucks were once sold under the Dodge name. If you saw a Dodge Ram 1500 or Dodge Ram 2500 driving on the road before 2009, that’s exactly what it was — a Dodge vehicle.
Dodge introduced the “Ram” name in 1981 when the brand revamped its truck lineup. It was inspired by the ram hood ornament that Dodge had already used since the 1930s, which symbolized toughness, strength, and durability. For almost three decades, Dodge trucks proudly carried the “Ram” badge as part of the Dodge identity.
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2009: The Big Split
The turning point came in 2009 during the global financial crisis when Chrysler, the parent company of Dodge, faced major restructuring after declaring bankruptcy. In its recovery process, Chrysler opted to reorganize the brand portfolio in order to better define the identity of each brand.
That’s when Ram Trucks officially became its own standalone brand, separate from Dodge. The goal was to allow Dodge to focus on performance cars like the Charger and Challenger, while Ram could concentrate entirely on trucks and commercial vehicles.
This decision gave Ram an opportunity to develop an identity all its own-one focused purely on power, towing capacity, work-ready design, and innovation in the truck segment.
Why the Confusion Still Exists
Even though it has been well over a decade since the split, confusion still lingers-and for good reason. For about 30 years, customers were used to calling them “Dodge Rams.” Old habits die hard, and many people still use that term out of familiarity.
Another reason for the confusion is that Dodge and Ram still share a common heritage under the Stellantis umbrella. Both brands were once divisions of Chrysler and still operate side by side in dealerships across the country. Walk into a dealership that sells Dodge and Ram vehicles, and you’ll often see both brands on display, reinforcing their connection in people’s minds.
Add in years of legacy advertising- think memorable “That Thing Got a HEMI?” commercials-and it’s easy to see why the public continues to link Dodge and Ram together.
Stellantis: The Parent Company Today
Put simply, Ram Trucks is owned today by Stellantis, and it is among the biggest automobile groups in the world. With its headquarters in Amsterdam, Stellantis was created when FCA merged with France’s PSA Group.
Under Stellantis, Ram operates as a stand-alone brand within the North American division. This positioning enables the company to devote all of its attention and energy to designing and constructing some of the most capable and award-winning trucks in the industry. Models like the Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 continue to garner accolades for their comfort, technology, and capability — all while carrying forward the spirit that began under the Dodge banner decades ago.
The Benefit of Becoming a Standalone Brand
The separation between Ram and Dodge turned out to be a very smart decision. That allowed Ram to go into the truck market, while Dodge specialized in high-performance muscle cars. The separation allowed Ram to establish its own identity and reputation for craftsmanship, innovation, and capability.
Because of that, Ram Trucks is constantly in the top rankings of selling trucks in America, head-to-head with Ford’s F-Series and Chevrolet’s Silverado. The company’s focus on luxury interiors, modern technology, and class-leading towing power has helped it stand out in a crowded market.
Conclusion
So, who owns Ram Trucks? The answer is Stellantis — but the story doesn’t stop there. Ram’s roots are deeply tied to Dodge, and that’s where much of the confusion comes from. For decades, Dodge was the face of Ram trucks, and that legacy is still part of the brand’s DNA today.
While Ram and Dodge went their separate ways, both have continued to do well under the Stellantis family. Ram has forged its way as one of the leaders in the world of trucks, while Dodge has embraced its performance roots. Simply put, Ram may not be “Dodge Ram” any more, but its heritage and commitment towards American truck performance are just the same as always.
