Is there a difference between Ram and Dodge?
Yes, there is a difference between Ram and Dodge. Ram is a truck brand owned by Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), while Dodge is a separate brand within the Stellantis portfolio that primarily produces cars and SUVs. The two brands have distinct histories, product lineups, and target audiences.
The History of Ram and Dodge
Dodge has a long and storied history, dating back to the early 1900s. The Dodge brothers, John and Horace, founded the Dodge Brothers Company in 1900, which initially produced automotive parts and later expanded into manufacturing complete vehicles. Dodge became known for its reliable and affordable cars, and the brand has evolved over the decades to include a wide range of models, from muscle cars to family-friendly SUVs.
Ram, on the other hand, was originally a part of the Dodge brand. In 1981, Dodge introduced the Ram as a line of pickup trucks, and it quickly became a popular choice among truck enthusiasts. In 2010, Chrysler (the parent company at the time) decided to spin off the Ram brand as a separate entity, allowing it to focus on the specific needs of truck buyers.
Product Lineups and Target Audiences
The primary difference between Ram and Dodge is their product lineups and the target audiences they serve. Ram is focused solely on producing pickup trucks, including the popular Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 models. These trucks are designed for heavy-duty work, towing, and hauling, catering to the needs of contractors, farmers, and other professionals who require a capable and reliable truck.
Dodge, on the other hand, offers a more diverse range of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and minivans. The brand is known for its performance-oriented models, such as the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger muscle cars, as well as its family-friendly Dodge Durango SUV and Dodge Grand Caravan minivan. Dodge's target audience is typically more focused on performance, style, and everyday driving needs rather than heavy-duty truck capabilities.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Brand History: Dodge has a longer history, dating back to the early 1900s, while Ram was originally a part of the Dodge brand before becoming a separate entity in 2010.
- Product Lineup: Ram focuses solely on pickup trucks, while Dodge offers a more diverse range of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and minivans.
- Target Audience: Ram caters to the needs of professionals and those who require a capable and reliable truck, while Dodge appeals to those interested in performance, style, and everyday driving needs.
In summary, while both Ram and Dodge are part of the Stellantis automotive group, they are distinct brands with their own unique histories, product lineups, and target audiences. Understanding these differences can help consumers make an informed decision when choosing a vehicle that best fits their needs and preferences.
Why are Dodge trucks called Ram?
In the late 70s, a ram's head mascot began to appear on Dodge D Series pickups, which, starting in 1981, became known as Dodge Ram. You can also find it on Ramcharger SUVs. The full-size vans of this brand received the name Ram Van, and the brand symbol at that time was a five-pointed star.
Is Ram the same thing as Dodge?
They're still part of the same company, but Dodge cars, SUVs, and minivans are under the Dodge brand, and their pickup trucks are under RAM.
Do Dodge and Ram have the same logo?
Dodge and Ram eventually separated into their own entities, and when the truck brand branched out in 2010, they took the ram logo with them.
Why is Ram not called Dodge anymore?
In 2009, Dodge's parent company, Chrysler, decided to make RAM a standalone marque. But both Dodge and RAM are owned by the Chrysler group, which is itself a subsidiary of Stellantis.
Why are Ram trucks no longer Dodge?
So, why did Chrysler break up these two brands? This process allowed for more focused development of new models. Dodge created the Dodge Challenger to compete with the Chevy Corvette sports car, while the RAM lineup could focus on creating more powerful engines and more resilient builds for Spanaway jobs.
Is Dodge and Ram different brands?
If you have a used RAM that dates before 2009, you might still have the “Dodge RAM” emblem. The company dropped the “Dodge” in 2009, so all trucks made from this date forward were simply “RAM trucks”. And though Dodge and RAM are still part of the same company, the trucks are labeled solely as RAM.
Is my truck a Dodge or a Ram?
If you own a truck made before 2009, it's called a Dodge RAM, and all post-2009 pickup trucks are simply RAM trucks. They're still the same company, they're just Dodge cars, SUVs, and minivans that are under the Dodge branding, and their pickup trucks are with the RAM brand.
Is Ram an American company?
Ram is one of the brands that comprises Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (formerly FCA, now Stellantis), along with Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat. Ram is an American truck company that used to be a model name for Dodge trucks.
Why do RAM trucks not say Dodge anymore?
Chysler bought Dodge in 1981, which led to a restructuring of the most popular models. This meant that Dodge retained its cars, SUVs, and minivans – while the RAM truck lineup eventually became its own brand completely in 2009.
Who makes Ram engines?
Chrysler maintained production of the engines up until Stellantis took the helm in 2021, producing the Ram series in full—from the light-duty 1500 all the way up to the heavy-duty 3500. The only other company responsible for making Ram engines is Cummins, which is known for its diesel power plants.
