Is the Dodge Rampage coming to the US?
No, the Dodge Rampage is not coming back to the United States. The Rampage was a small, car-based pickup truck produced by Dodge in the early 1980s, but it was discontinued in 1984 and has not been revived since.
What Was the Dodge Rampage?
The Dodge Rampage was a compact, unibody pickup truck that was based on the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon front-wheel-drive car platforms. It was introduced in 1982 as a 1983 model and was marketed as a sporty, fuel-efficient alternative to traditional body-on-frame pickup trucks. The Rampage featured a small cargo bed in the rear and seating for up to four people.
The Rampage was powered by a range of four-cylinder engines, including a turbocharged version, and was available with either a manual or automatic transmission. It was positioned as a more practical and efficient alternative to larger, truck-based pickups, but it never gained significant popularity with American consumers.
Why Was the Dodge Rampage Discontinued?
The Dodge Rampage was discontinued in 1984 after just three model years due to poor sales. Several factors contributed to its lack of success:
- Limited cargo capacity and towing capability compared to traditional pickup trucks
- Perceived as more of a car-like utility vehicle rather than a true pickup
- Competition from other small, car-based pickups like the Ford Courier and Chevrolet El Camino
- Declining demand for small, fuel-efficient vehicles as gas prices stabilized in the mid-1980s
After the Rampage was discontinued, Dodge did not attempt to revive the nameplate or produce a similar car-based pickup truck. The company has focused its truck offerings on more traditional, body-on-frame designs like the Ram pickup line.
