Are Dodge and Ram still the same?
No. Ram is a separate brand under Stellantis, distinct from Dodge. They are not the same brand anymore; Ram concentrates on trucks and commercial vans, while Dodge focuses on performance cars and sporty crossovers.
To understand why and how they diverged, it helps to look at their history and current positioning. Both brands originated under the Chrysler umbrella, but in the early 2010s Ram was established as its own brand to emphasize trucks, and Dodge kept its performance-focused lineup. Since the 2021 merger that formed Stellantis, the two brands have continued to operate separately within the same corporate family, with dedicated showrooms, marketing, and product roadmaps.
Current brand identities
Today, Ram is a standalone brand devoted to pickup trucks and commercial vehicles; Dodge remains a separate brand known for performance cars and sporty SUVs. This distinction guides their respective lineups and customer experiences.
- Ram is a standalone brand under Stellantis focused on trucks and commercial vehicles (e.g., Ram pickups and ProMaster vans).
- Dodge is a separate brand under Stellantis focused on performance cars and sporty crossovers (e.g., Challenger, Charger, Durango).
- Despite sharing a parent company, they maintain distinct branding and showroom identities; the historical "Dodge Ram" branding is no longer used as a joint brand.
In practice, customers will see two clearly differentiated brands with separate dealer networks and marketing, even though both operate under the same corporate umbrella.
Key milestones in the Dodge–Ram relationship
A concise timeline highlights how the brands evolved and why they are distinct today.
- 2009–2010: Ram is spun off from Dodge to become its own brand, with truck models branded as RAM 1500/2500/3500 rather than Dodge Ram.
- 2010s: Ram becomes a core truck-focused brand within Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA); Dodge continues with its performance lineup and other passenger vehicles.
- 2021: Stellantis forms from FCA and PSA; Ram remains a separate brand under the new corporate structure, with shared platforms where appropriate but distinct branding.
- 2020s: Ram expands its truck lineup and signals electrification efforts for pickups; Dodge pursues electrified and performance-oriented models while maintaining its muscle-car heritage.
These milestones show that the separation is ongoing, and the brands continue to differentiate themselves in product, branding, and dealership experience.
Brand positioning and market presence
From a consumer perspective, Dodge and Ram serve different segments: Ram targets buyers seeking durable, capable trucks and commercial solutions, while Dodge appeals to enthusiasts seeking high-performance, adrenaline-fueled passenger cars and sportier SUVs. Both brands remain part of Stellantis, but they operate with distinct identities and product strategies.
Summary
Bottom line: Dodge and Ram are no longer the same brand. They are two separate brands under Stellantis with different focuses—Ram on trucks and commercial vehicles, and Dodge on performance cars and sporty crossovers. The separation began in the early 2010s and continues today, reinforced by Stellantis’ corporate structure and ongoing brand differentiation.
