When did Ram go away from Dodge?
Ram became its own brand in 2010, after Chrysler announced in 2009 that Ram would separate from Dodge to form Ram Trucks.
That decision marked the end of the “Dodge Ram” naming for pickups and led to Ram Trucks becoming the standalone badge. The change took effect with the 2010 model year, and the brand has remained separate under Stellantis since the FCA-PSA merger in 2021.
Background: Why Ram left Dodge
The move reflected Chrysler’s broader restructuring during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. By creating a dedicated Ram Trucks brand, the company aimed to sharpen the identity of its heavy- and light-duty pickups, while repositioning Dodge as a brand focused more on passenger cars and SUVs.
The timeline of the separation
Below is a concise timeline of when Ram separated from Dodge and began operating as a distinct brand.
- 2009: Chrysler announces plans to spin Ram off into its own brand, Ram Trucks, separating it from the Dodge lineup as part of a broader corporate restructuring.
- 2010 model year: Ram Trucks officially launches as a standalone brand; the trucks adopt the Ram name/logo rather than “Dodge Ram,” marking the formal branding shift.
- 2011 onward: Ram Trucks expands its lineup and branding under the Ram Trucks marque, while Dodge focuses on passenger cars and SUVs.
The transition established Ram Trucks as a dedicated brand, a status that has persisted through Chrysler’s later corporate changes and the 2021 formation of Stellantis.
Branding and consumer impact
With the split, customers began to encounter distinct branding for Ram trucks versus Dodge passenger vehicles. Dealers updated signage, marketing materials, and product naming to reflect Ram Trucks as a standalone marque, while Dodge continued to represent non-truck products. This separation shaped showroom experiences, advertising, and the way buyers perceived and compared pickup offerings.
Summary
In short, Ram officially left Dodge to become its own brand with Ram Trucks in 2010, following a 2009 announcement. The separation has endured through corporate reorganizations and remains in effect under Stellantis as of the mid-2020s.
