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Are Dodge and Ram the same brand?

No, Dodge and Ram are not the same brand. Dodge and Ram are separate brands owned by the same parent company, Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).


Dodge and Ram: Separate Brands Under the Same Umbrella


Dodge and Ram were once part of the same brand, but in 2009, Chrysler (now Stellantis) decided to split them into two distinct brands. Dodge is primarily focused on passenger vehicles, such as sedans, coupes, and SUVs, while Ram is dedicated to producing pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.


The History of Dodge and Ram


Dodge has a long and storied history, dating back to 1900 when the Dodge brothers founded the Dodge Brothers Company. The brand was acquired by Chrysler in 1928 and has since become known for its performance-oriented vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger.


Ram, on the other hand, was originally a model of Dodge pickup trucks. In 2009, Chrysler decided to spin off the Ram brand as a separate entity, allowing it to focus solely on the production and marketing of its trucks and commercial vehicles.


Key Differences Between Dodge and Ram



  • Vehicle Types: Dodge primarily produces passenger vehicles, while Ram focuses on pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.

  • Branding and Marketing: Dodge has a more performance-oriented brand image, while Ram emphasizes its ruggedness and capability.

  • Dealer Network: Dodge and Ram have separate dealer networks, allowing each brand to cater to its specific customer base.


Despite being separate brands, Dodge and Ram share some common engineering and technology, as they are both part of the Stellantis automotive group. However, the distinct branding and marketing strategies ensure that each brand appeals to a different set of customers.

Why did Ram break away from Dodge?


Chrysler, now under the ownership of Daimler-Benz, recognized the growing importance of the truck segment and made a strategic decision to separate the Ram brand from Dodge. In 2009, the divorce was finalized, with Ram becoming a standalone brand focused solely on trucks.



Is Ram still connected to Dodge?


RAM Sets Out on Its Own
In the early 2000s, Daimler-Benz, which then owned Dodge, realized how lucrative the truck market was becoming. The company then decided to separate RAM from Dodge so it could become its own brand. In 2009, the split became official.



Why did Dodge stop using the Ram logo?


Dodge and Ram eventually separated into their own entities, and when the truck brand branched out in 2010, they took the ram logo with them. This meant Dodge had to produce a new logo, but the brand decided to do something even better… they produced two!



Why did RAM trucks split from Dodge?


Chrysler, now under the ownership of Daimler-Benz, recognized the growing importance of the truck segment and made a strategic decision to separate the Ram brand from Dodge. In 2009, the divorce was finalized, with Ram becoming a standalone brand focused solely on trucks.



Are Dodge and Chrysler the same?


Chrysler is not Dodge, and Chrysler does not own the Dodge brand. Chrysler and Dodge have a parent company called Stellantis. Under the Chrysler and Dodge parent company, Stellantis, you'll find other popular makes such as Jeep and RAM.



Why are RAM trucks not called Dodge?


When Did Dodge and RAM Split? Chrysler acquired Dodge in 1981 and kept their most popular models, including RAM pickup trucks. From 1981 to 2009, their pickup trucks were named “Dodge RAM,”. After 2009, RAM trucks became its own brand.



Why does Dodge use a Ram?


Ram was initially used to describe Dodge's light-duty pickup trucks in its work truck vehicle line. Besides pickup trucks, Dodge also manufactured vehicles with Ram in their names, such as the Ramcharger SUV and the Dodge Ram Van. In 1998, Chrysler conducted a shift from domestic to foreign ownership of the company.



Who makes Ram engines?


Chrysler maintained production of the engines up until Stellantis took the helm in 2021, producing the Ram series in full—from the light-duty 1500 all the way up to the heavy-duty 3500. The only other company responsible for making Ram engines is Cummins, which is known for its diesel power plants.



Why did Ram break from Dodge?


This reorganization aimed to focus on the unique identities of each of its brands, leading to the separation of Dodge Ram trucks into its own standalone brand. Ram was established as its own brand in 2010, allowing it to carve out a distinct identity focused on delivering exceptional trucks.



Are Dodge and Ram the same?


If you have a used RAM that dates before 2009, you might still have the “Dodge RAM” emblem. The company dropped the “Dodge” in 2009, so all trucks made from this date forward were simply “RAM trucks”. And though Dodge and RAM are still part of the same company, the trucks are labeled solely as RAM.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.