Whats the difference between a Dodge and a Ram?
In short, Dodge is the brand for passenger cars and performance-oriented models, while Ram is a separate brand focused on trucks and commercial vehicles. The two brands were split into distinct identities around 2010, and today both operate under Stellantis with different model lineups and marketing.
Origins of the split and what it means today
The restructuring that gave Ram its own brand began during Chrysler’s 2009-2010 turnaround. Ram was carved out from Dodge to specialize in trucks and commercial vehicles, while Dodge continued to handle passenger cars, SUVs, and performance models. The move aimed to clarify product strategy, create dedicated dealer and marketing efforts, and allow each brand to target different buyer groups. Since then, Ram trucks carry the Ram badge (with the Ram head logo) instead of the Dodge name, and Dodge keeps its own badge on cars and sportier models. Today, both brands sit under Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group in 2021.
Key milestones that shaped the split and branding strategy:
- 2009–2010: Chrysler restructures, creating Ram as a separate brand to focus on trucks and commercial vehicles.
- Ram's lineup centers on pickups (Ram 1500, 2500, 3500) and commercial vans (ProMaster family) plus cab/chassis configurations.
- Dodge remains the home for passenger cars, crossovers, and performance models (Charger, Challenger, Durango) with branding that emphasizes speed and value.
- Today, Ram and Dodge operate as distinct brands under Stellantis, with separate dealer networks and product strategies.
This branding split matters because it shapes how buyers find and value each brand’s vehicles, how marketing targets different customers, and how service and parts support are organized.
Where the two brands stand today
Ram is the badge you’ll see on pickup trucks and commercial vans, designed for work-ready capability and heavy-duty performance. Dodge remains the badge for performance cars and sportier SUVs, emphasizing speed, handling, and driving excitement.
Current focus and notable models by brand:
- Ram: Ram 1500 (light-duty pickup), Ram 2500/3500 (heavy-duty pickups), Ram 4500/5500 (heavy-duty cab/chassis), Ram ProMaster and ProMaster City vans, and related chassis cab variants.
- Dodge: Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger (muscle cars), Dodge Durango (three-row SUV), and ongoing performance-focused variants under the brand.
- Brand posture: Ram emphasizes work capabilities and fleet/consumer trucks; Dodge emphasizes performance, thrill, and family-friendly sport utilities where applicable.
In practice, shoppers no longer encounter “Dodge Ram” as a contemporary model name. Instead, Ram trucks bear the Ram branding, while Dodge models bear the Dodge branding. The separation reflects a deliberate marketing and product strategy under Stellantis.
What shoppers should know
If you’re in the market for a pickup or a commercial van, look for Ram badges and RAM branding. If you’re shopping for a performance car or a passenger SUV, Dodge is the brand to consider. The two brands share engineering resources and corporate oversight at Stellantis, but they present distinctly different product philosophies and dealership experiences.
How the branding plays out in everyday life includes showroom layouts, marketing messages, and service planning, all aligned with the brand’s core focus—Ram on trucks and vans, Dodge on performance cars and consumer-focused SUVs.
Summary
Dodge and Ram are two distinct brands under Stellantis with different missions: Ram concentrates on trucks and commercial vehicles, while Dodge focuses on passenger cars and performance models. The split, which began around 2010, separated branding, product development, and marketing to better serve each customer segment. Today, Ram trucks carry the Ram badge, Dodge cars carry the Dodge badge, and both brands coexist under the same corporate umbrella with separate dealer networks and model lineups.
Why is Ram not part of Dodge?
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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.
Are Dodge and Ram different?
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 doge the same as Ram?
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