Has Dodge ever made a truck?
Yes. Dodge has a long history of building trucks, including the early Power Wagon, the D-series full-size pickups, and the Dakota mid-size model; today, Dodge-branded pickups are marketed under the Ram Trucks badge rather than the Dodge name.
In this article, we trace Dodge's truck heritage—from its early 20th-century commercial trucks through the mid-century light-duty models to the modern Ram lineup—and explain how trucking has shaped the brand's evolution and its current branding strategy.
A long history of Dodge trucks
Dodge’s truck program began early in the 20th century, with the Dodge Brothers producing commercial trucks and work vehicles. Over the decades, the company expanded into rugged 4x4s, heavy-duty work trucks, and fleet-oriented models that served farmers, contractors, and fleets alike. The evolution continued through the mid-century and into the late 20th century, culminating in a recognizable lineup that included both workhorse pickups and specialized models.
Mid-size and full-size era
Key Dodge truck models helped define the brand’s approach to capability and versatility across different segments. Below is a brief look at several landmark Dodge trucks that left a lasting imprint on the market.
- Power Wagon (roughly 1946–1980): A heritage-heavy, purpose-built 4x4 that established Dodge as a maker of serious off-road and heavy-duty utility vehicles.
- Dodge D-series pickups (1961–1993): The traditional full-size Dodge pickup line that served fleets and households for decades before the styling and branding shifted toward the Ram era.
- Dodge Dakota (1987–2011): Dodge’s mid-size pickup that bridged the gap between compact pickups and full-size offerings, popular for its balance of size and capability.
- Ram 50 / Dodge Ram 50 (1980s–1990s, various markets): A smaller pickup produced under the Dodge badge in some markets, including North America during certain years, often tied to Mitsubishi designs.
- Dodge Ram full-size pickups (mid-1990s–2010): The Dodge-branded full-size trucks that ultimately transitioned to the Ram Trucks sub-brand as part of a broader corporate restructuring.
These models illustrate Dodge’s broad involvement in trucks—from rugged off-road prowess to family-friendly and fleet-oriented pickups—and set the stage for later branding changes within the company.
The modern era: branding and current status
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Chrysler reorganized its truck branding, with Ram becoming a standalone brand for the heavy-duty and light-duty pickups. Since then, the primary pickups in the market bearing the Dodge name have largely faded from the lineup, with the Ram brand carrying the current heavy-duty and light-duty truck offerings. There was a brief period where Dodge-branded versions of extended or classic models appeared in some markets or configurations, but the ongoing, active truck production is under the Ram Trucks banner (Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, etc.).
What this means for Dodge today
Today, Dodge as a brand does not offer a new pickup model. The modern pickup lineup in the broader Dodge/RAM ecosystem is Ram-branded, led by the Ram 1500 and its heavy-duty siblings. The Dakota was discontinued in 2011, and the Dodge name is no longer used for new light- or heavy-duty trucks in most markets. The brand’s truck legacy, however, remains a visible part of automotive history, with many of its classic models remembered by enthusiasts and collectors.
Notable moments in Dodge truck history (at a glance)
The list above highlights some of the most influential Dodge trucks and how they contributed to the brand’s reputation for ruggedness and practicality. The shift toward Ram as the primary truck brand marks a milestone in corporate branding and product strategy, but Dodge’s contributions to truck design and capability remain a significant chapter in American automotive history.
In summary, Dodge has certainly made trucks across many decades, with notable models spanning from early commercial and military-adjacent trucks to iconic passenger pickups. Today, those trucks live on in Ram Trucks, while the Dodge badge itself no longer represents a dedicated truck lineup in common market offerings.
Summary: Dodge’s truck legacy is long and varied, featuring early commercial models, the Power Wagon and D-series lineage, the Dakota mid-size, and the broader shift to Ram Trucks for modern pickups. The Dodge brand itself no longer launches new trucks, but its history continues to inform Ram’s lineup and the broader narrative of American pickup trucks.
Did Dodge ever make trucks?
The Dodge Brothers Company started in 1900, making car parts, and by 1914, they began making complete vehicles. This move led to Dodge's entry into the truck market in the 1920s, starting a legacy in Dodge pickups.
Does Dodge have any trucks?
No, Dodge does not make trucks anymore; the Ram truck brand was spun off in 2010. Now, Dodge focuses on performance cars, while Ram is its own distinct brand under the Stellantis parent company, producing models like the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500.
- Ram trucks: Since 2010, trucks that were formerly labeled as Dodge Ram are now solely identified as Ram trucks.
- Dodge brand: The Dodge brand now focuses on performance vehicles like the Challenger and Charger, while the Dodge brand also includes SUVs and minivans.
Why do Ram trucks not say Dodge anymore?
Dodge changed its truck lineup to the standalone Ram brand to better focus on specific markets: Ram focuses solely on trucks and commercial vehicles, while Dodge concentrates on performance cars and SUVs. This strategic separation in 2010 allowed each brand to develop its own distinct identity, catering to different customer bases.
- Brand focus: Ram was established as its own brand to target serious truck customers with dedicated resources and innovation for high-performance trucks and vans.
- Dodge's new identity: This allowed Dodge to concentrate on its performance-oriented models, such as the Challenger and Charger, and other cars and SUVs.
- Market differentiation: The split created distinct brands with specialized offerings: Ram for trucks and Dodge for sporty vehicles, similar to how Toyota created Lexus or Honda created Acura.
- Strategic restructuring: The separation was a result of a broader restructuring within Chrysler (now part of Stellantis) in 2009 to give each brand a unique identity and a sharper focus.
When did Dodge quit making trucks?
Dodge stopped making trucks in 2009, when the Ram truck line was split off to become a standalone brand. The last Dodge-branded Ram truck was built in 2009, and starting with the 2010 model year, they were sold as Ram trucks only. This separation allowed Dodge to focus on performance vehicles while Ram focused on its line of trucks and vans.
- Last model year: The last model year for a Dodge-branded truck was 2009.
- Brand separation: In 2010, Chrysler separated the Ram truck line from the Dodge brand to create the Ram Trucks brand.
- Current focus: Ram now exclusively handles trucks and vans, while Dodge focuses on performance cars like the Charger and Challenger.
- How to tell them apart: If a truck is from 2009 or earlier, it is a Dodge Ram. If it is from 2010 or later, it is a Ram truck.
