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Why did Dodge become Ram?

In 2009, Chrysler Group LLC made the strategic decision to rebrand its Dodge truck division as Ram. This move was driven by the company's desire to differentiate its truck lineup from its passenger car offerings and establish a distinct identity for its line of pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.


The Rationale Behind the Rebranding


Chrysler recognized that the Dodge brand had become strongly associated with its passenger car models, such as the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. By separating the truck division into its own brand, Ram, the company aimed to create a more focused and specialized identity for its line of trucks and commercial vehicles. This allowed Dodge to concentrate on its car models, while Ram could develop its own unique branding, marketing, and product development strategies tailored specifically to the needs of truck buyers.


The Significance of the Ram Brand


The Ram brand was chosen to represent the company's line of trucks and commercial vehicles because the ram is a powerful and resilient animal, symbolizing the strength, capability, and durability that are essential qualities for a successful truck. The Ram brand has since become a well-established and respected name in the truck market, with a lineup of models that include the Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 pickups, as well as the Ram ProMaster commercial van.


The Impact of the Rebranding



  • Allowed Dodge to focus on its passenger car models and develop a distinct brand identity

  • Enabled Ram to create its own unique branding, marketing, and product development strategies tailored to the truck market

  • Strengthened the Ram brand's reputation for power, capability, and durability in the truck segment

  • Contributed to the overall growth and success of Chrysler's truck and commercial vehicle business


The decision to rebrand Dodge's truck division as Ram has proven to be a successful strategic move for Chrysler. By creating a distinct identity for its truck lineup, the company has been able to better serve the needs of its truck customers and strengthen its position in the highly competitive truck market.

Where did Dodge get the Ram name?


The name “Ram” was intended to pay homage to the Ram air hood, which had first become popular around 1933. Dodge-brand trucks quickly became popular throughout the twentieth century, and in the 1980s, the company founded Dodge Ram, or just Ram, a name many will associate with premium pickup trucks.



Why is Ram not called Dodge anymore?


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.



Why did RAM break away from Dodge?


Chrysler, now under the ownership of Daimler-Benz, recognized the growing importance of the truck segment and made a strategic decision to separate the Ram brand from Dodge. In 2009, the divorce was finalized, with Ram becoming a standalone brand focused solely on trucks.



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.



Why did Dodge make Ram its own brand?


Dodge and Ram were split into separate brands by their parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), in 2009. The decision to separate the two was driven by a strategic desire to focus each brand on different market segments and to create a stronger identity for each.



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.



Why is Dodge Ram now just Ram?


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.



Why are Rams called Ram?


This kind of ram comes from the male sheep and his powerful horns — and so does the verb ram: "I watched the rams ram their heads into each other as they battled over territory." Some word experts think the word stems from the Old Norse rammr, "strong."



Why is it just Ram and not Dodge Ram?


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.



Why did Dodge start calling their trucks Ram?


I would say that they changed their name from dodge to RAM in an effort to change their image, but that isn't true. Dodge spun off their truck line and named it RAM, so that dodge could focus on their automotive products (muscle cars and sedans,) and to allow RAM to focus on developing their truck line.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.