Is Dodge Ram or just RAM?
RAM is the official branding for the current line of pickups and commercial vans, not Dodge Ram. The RAM brand operates as its own division within Stellantis, with models such as RAM 1500, RAM 2500, and RAM 3500. Historically, these trucks were marketed as Dodge Ram, but starting around 2010 the branding shifted to RAM, and today Dodge is a separate brand focused on other vehicles. Some older signage or regional references may still say Dodge Ram, but the contemporary, formal name is RAM.
Origins of the RAM branding
The branding shift that created RAM as its own stand-alone name came as part of a broader strategy to separate the truck lineup from the Dodge brand.
From Dodge Ram to RAM Trucks
In the late 2000s, FCA began rethinking the lineup, and around 2010 the Dodge Ram branding gave way to RAM Trucks. The trucks adopted the RAM badge and the model naming moved to RAM 1500, RAM 2500, and RAM 3500, signaling a distinct brand identity from Dodge passenger cars and SUVs.
Branding under Stellantis
After the 2021 merger that formed Stellantis, RAM remained the branding for the heavy- and light-duty trucks and vans, while the Dodge name continued to be used for non-truck vehicles. The shift reinforced RAM as the official marque for its truck portfolio and commercial van lineup.
Today, RAM is presented as a standalone brand within Stellantis, with the Dodge badge reserved for non-truck models.
Current branding and model naming
To understand how these vehicles are named and marketed today, here is a concise guide to the RAM lineup and how to refer to it.
- RAM 1500 — the light-duty pickup known for a balance of efficiency and capability.
- RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 — heavy-duty variants for higher payloads and torque.
- RAM Chassis Cabs — commercial configurations based on RAM drivetrains for specialized applications.
- RAM ProMaster and ProMaster City — commercial vans offered under the RAM brand.
- Brand usage — official materials consistently use RAM (all caps) rather than Dodge RAM for the trucks.
In practice, the terminology today centers on RAM as the brand and RAM model names (e.g., RAM 1500) rather than the older Dodge RAM label. Regional signage and older reviews may still reference Dodge Ram, but the current corporate branding is RAM.
What people typically ask and common clarifications
Below is a quick guide to common phrasing around the RAM branding and how to refer to the vehicles in everyday and media contexts.
- Is it Dodge RAM or RAM? — Official branding for the trucks is RAM; Dodge RAM is considered outdated branding for the current lineup.
- Do RAM vehicles use the Dodge badge? — RAM trucks use RAM branding on badges and marketing; Dodge branding is reserved for non-truck models.
- Has the RAM name changed over time? — Yes. The trucks transitioned from Dodge Ram to RAM Trucks around 2010, and today are marketed as RAM under the Stellantis umbrella.
- Are there models still called Dodge RAM in any markets? — Some older literature or regional signage may persist, but the authoritative branding is RAM.
Concisely, the modern naming convention treats RAM as the standalone brand for the pickup and van lineup, with Dodge reserved for other vehicle categories.
Summary
The official branding for the pickup trucks and commercial vans is RAM, not Dodge Ram. The shift from Dodge Ram began around 2010, creating RAM as a distinct brand within FCA (now Stellantis). While older references and some signage may still say Dodge Ram, current materials consistently use RAM 1500, RAM 2500, RAM 3500, and RAM ProMaster/ProMaster City as the recognized lineup. In short, RAM is the correct contemporary branding for these vehicles, with Dodge applied to other non-truck models.
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 they change Dodge Ram to just Ram?
Ram trucks have grown a lot since they started. They first appeared in 1981 as the Dodge Ram pickup. In 2010, Ram became its own brand, focusing only on trucks. This change helped Ram focus on what truck owners really want.
Is it Dodge Ram or just 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.
Is Ram basically Dodge?
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.
