Is RAM its own car brand?
Yes. RAM is a standalone automotive brand used by Stellantis for its pickup trucks and commercial vans, created in 2009 when Dodge’s truck lineup was spun off.
Origins and Brand Evolution
RAM began as the nameplate for Dodge’s trucks and evolved into a dedicated marque after Chrysler announced a brand separation in 2009. By the 2010 model year, RAM Trucks were marketed as a distinct brand, with Dodge continuing to handle its car and SUV lineup. The branding emphasized rugged capability and commercial versatility, extending from consumer pickups like the Ram 1500 to heavy-duty trucks and vans.
Following the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) merger and the subsequent formation of Stellantis, RAM has remained a standalone brand within the group, focusing on North American markets and maintaining a clear separation from the Dodge passenger lineup. The RAM identity today is used across a range of vehicles, including light-duty pickups, heavy-duty trucks, and commercial vans.
Current Lineup
Here is a snapshot of RAM's current lineup, spanning consumer pickups and commercial vans.
- Ram 1500 — light-duty pickup
- Ram 2500/3500 — heavy-duty pickups
- Ram ProMaster — commercial cargo van
- Ram ProMaster City — compact van
- Ram 4500/5500/6500 — chassis cab and commercial trucks
RAM's lineup emphasizes durability and capability for work fleets and families, with variants like the Ram 1500 TRX offering a performance-oriented option within the same brand family.
Brand Structure and Market Position
RAM operates as its own brand under Stellantis, distinct from Dodge for the vehicles it sells. The brand is primarily focused on the North American market, with production and sales concentrated in the United States and Canada. RAM also targets fleet customers with its commercial products, presenting itself as both a consumer-truck brand and a fleet-focused solution provider.
Summary
RAM is an independent car brand designed for trucks and commercial vans, originally spun off from Dodge in 2009. It remains a distinct marque within Stellantis, continuing to offer a lineup of pickups and commercial vans tailored to both individual buyers and fleets in North America. The RAM brand is unrelated to computer memory RAM, highlighting the difference between automotive branding and tech terminology.
Are RAM and Dodge the same?
No, Ram and Dodge are not the same, though they share a common history. Ram is now a standalone brand for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles, while Dodge focuses on performance cars and SUVs. The "Dodge Ram" was a model line within Dodge, but it became its own brand, Ram, in 2009/2010. Both Ram and Dodge are now owned by the parent company Stellantis.
- Past: "Ram" was a model name for Dodge's trucks, and vehicles were sold as "Dodge Ram" trucks before 2010.
- Present:
- Ram: A separate brand that focuses exclusively on pickup trucks (like the Ram 1500) and commercial vehicles.
- Dodge: A separate brand that focuses on performance vehicles like the Charger and Challenger, as well as SUVs like the Durango.
- Parent Company: Both brands are owned by the global automotive group Stellantis.
Who owns RAM currently?
Yes, Stellantis owns Ram Trucks. A former nameplate of Dodge, Ram was established as a distinct brand in 2009 and then was merged into Stellantis in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with Groupe PSA. This has given Ram additional resources to remain competitive in the extremely competitive truck segment.
Is RAM owned by Toyota?
Ram Trucks (stylized as RAM) is an American brand of light to mid-weight pickup heavy duty trucks and other commercial vehicles, and a division of Stellantis North America (previously Chrysler Group LLC). It was established in a spin-off of Dodge in 2009 using the name of the Ram pickup line of trucks.
Is RAM its own car company now?
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.
