Is a Ram truck considered a Dodge?
Yes, a Ram truck is considered a Dodge. Ram is a brand of trucks that was previously part of the Dodge lineup but is now a standalone brand owned by Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge.
The History of Ram Trucks
Ram trucks were originally introduced as part of the Dodge lineup in the 1981 model year. They were initially called the "Dodge Ram" and were known for their rugged design and powerful engines. Over the years, the Ram brand gained a loyal following among truck enthusiasts, and in 2010, Chrysler (now Stellantis) decided to spin off the Ram brand as a separate entity from Dodge.
Since then, Ram has continued to produce a range of full-size and heavy-duty pickup trucks, as well as commercial vehicles, under the Ram brand name. While the Ram brand is now separate from Dodge, the two brands are still closely related and share many of the same design and engineering elements.
Key Differences Between Dodge and Ram
Despite their close relationship, there are some key differences between the Dodge and Ram brands:
- Vehicles Offered: Dodge primarily produces cars, SUVs, and minivans, while Ram focuses exclusively on trucks and commercial vehicles.
- Branding and Marketing: Dodge and Ram have distinct branding and marketing strategies, with Dodge emphasizing performance and muscle car heritage, and Ram focusing on the capabilities and features of its trucks.
- Dealer Network: Dodge and Ram have separate dealer networks, allowing customers to shop for and purchase vehicles from either brand at dedicated dealerships.
Overall, while Ram trucks were once part of the Dodge lineup, they are now considered a separate brand within the Stellantis family of automotive companies. However, the two brands continue to share many of the same design and engineering elements, making them closely related in the eyes of many truck enthusiasts.
Is Dodge considered Ram?
No, Ram and Dodge are no longer the same brand. In 2009, their parent company, Chrysler, split the Ram pickup truck line into its own separate brand, RAM, while Dodge continued to focus on cars, SUVs, and minivans. Before 2009, trucks were sold as "Dodge Ram," but after the split, they are just "RAM".
- Before 2009: Pickup trucks were called "Dodge Ram".
- After 2009: The truck brand became its own separate company called "RAM," while Dodge focused on other vehicle types like cars and SUVs.
- Ownership: Both brands are still owned by the same parent company, which is now Stellantis, a global automaker.
Is there a difference between a Dodge and a Dodge Ram?
That's why if you own a Dodge pickup truck made before 2009, it's called a Dodge Ram, and post-2009 pickups are Ram trucks. They're still the same company. The only difference is that Dodge cars, SUVs, and minivans are under Dodge branding, and their pickups are labeled as the Ram brand.
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.
Are Ram trucks still considered Dodge?
No, Ram is no longer a Dodge brand; it became a standalone truck brand in 2010 under the same parent company, Stellantis. While Ram trucks were originally sold as "Dodge Ram," newer models are simply branded as Ram, and Dodge now focuses on performance cars and SUVs.
- Before 2010: Trucks were sold as "Dodge Ram".
- Since 2010: Ram is its own brand, focusing on pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.
- Parent company: Both brands are owned by the same company, Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).
- Brand focus: Dodge now concentrates on muscle cars and performance SUVs, while Ram produces trucks.
