Why did Dodge discontinue the Ramcharger?

Dodge discontinued the Ramcharger, a full-size SUV, in 1993 after nearly two decades of production. The Ramcharger was a rugged, truck-based SUV that competed with models like the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Blazer, but it ultimately failed to keep up with changing consumer preferences and market demands.

The Rise and Fall of the Dodge Ramcharger

The Dodge Ramcharger was first introduced in 1974 as a response to the growing popularity of SUVs in the United States. It was based on the Dodge D-Series pickup truck platform and offered a more spacious and capable alternative to the traditional station wagon. The Ramcharger was known for its robust construction, four-wheel-drive capabilities, and powerful engine options, making it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and those who needed a versatile vehicle.

However, as the SUV market evolved in the 1980s and 1990s, the Ramcharger struggled to keep up with the competition. Newer SUV models offered more modern styling, improved fuel efficiency, and a wider range of features and amenities that appealed to a broader consumer base. Additionally, the Ramcharger's truck-based design and lack of significant updates over the years made it less appealing to buyers who were increasingly seeking more car-like ride quality and handling.

Reasons for Discontinuation

There were several key factors that led to the discontinuation of the Dodge Ramcharger in 1993:

• Declining Sales: As consumer preferences shifted towards more refined and family-oriented SUVs, the Ramcharger's sales began to decline steadily. This made it increasingly difficult for Dodge to justify the continued production and investment in the aging model.


• Changing Market Demands: The SUV market was becoming more diverse, with a growing emphasis on comfort, fuel efficiency, and passenger amenities. The Ramcharger's rugged, truck-like design and limited feature set no longer aligned with the evolving needs and expectations of SUV buyers.


• Lack of Significant Updates: The Ramcharger had undergone only minor updates and refreshes over the years, while its competitors were introducing new models with more modern designs, improved safety features, and enhanced technology. This made the Ramcharger appear outdated and less competitive in the market.


• Overlap with Other Dodge Models: The Dodge Durango, introduced in 1998, offered a more contemporary and versatile SUV option that overlapped with the Ramcharger's target market. This further diminished the need for the Ramcharger in Dodge's lineup.

In the end, the combination of declining sales, changing market demands, and the lack of significant updates led Dodge to discontinue the Ramcharger in 1993, marking the end of an era for this iconic SUV.

Why is the Dodge Charger being discontinued?

Dodge discontinued the gasoline-powered Charger due to a company-wide shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), which was influenced by stricter emissions regulations and a decline in consumer demand for large, performance-oriented sedans. The brand is developing a new generation of high-performance EVs, and the Charger platform, which was dated, was replaced by an all-electric eMuscle platform to meet future standards.
 
Reasons for discontinuation

• Electrification strategy: Dodge and its parent company, Stellantis, are investing heavily in EVs and plan to have a fully electric future lineup. 
• Emissions regulations: Stricter government regulations are making it difficult and expensive to continue producing internal combustion engines (ICE) that prioritize high performance over fuel efficiency. 
• Old platform: The Charger's platform was old and required extensive updates to meet modern smog and safety standards, leading to the decision to start fresh with a new, electric platform. 
• Changing consumer demand: The broader market has shifted toward SUVs, crossovers, and more efficient vehicles, causing sales of large performance sedans to decline. 
• Cost and profitability: Building and updating older platforms to comply with new regulations can be expensive, and the company is reallocating resources to develop new EVs that can be profitable. 

Will Ram bring back the Ramcharger?

Yes, Dodge (through the Ram brand) is bringing back the Ramcharger as a new range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) pickup truck, not an SUV. The 2026 Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a plug-in hybrid that uses a gasoline engine to power a generator, which in turn charges the battery that powers the electric motors, with an estimated 145 miles of all-electric range. Its release has been delayed to early 2026, with a starting MSRP expected to be around $60,000$ 60 comma 000$60,000. 
Key features and specifications
This video provides an overview of the Ramcharger's features and the release timeline: 46sJB ReviewsYouTube · Oct 31, 2025

• Engine: A 3.6-liter Pentastar engine that acts as a generator, not a direct power source for the wheels. 
• Battery: A 91.8-kWh battery pack is used to power two electric motors (front and rear). 
• Electric Range: The Ramcharger is expected to have approximately 145 miles of all-electric range before the onboard generator kicks in. 
• Total Range: The combination of the battery and the generator provides a total estimated range of around 690 miles. 
• Performance: It will produce 663 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and have a 14,000-pound towing capacity. 
• Payload: It will have a maximum payload capacity of 2,600 to 2,625 pounds. 

Release information

• Launch Date: The release was originally slated for 2025 but has been pushed back to early 2026. 
• Price: Pricing is expected to start around $60,000$ 60 comma 000$60,000 for a base model, with higher trims costing more. 
• Availability: It is expected to be available at dealerships in the first quarter of 2026. 

You can watch this video to learn more about the 2026 Ramcharger's features: 1mJonathan SewellYouTube · Mar 12, 2025

Is the Dodge Ramcharger being canceled?

The name "Ramcharger" has been discontinued in two separate ways: the classic, gas-powered SUV was canceled in 1993, and Stellantis canceled the all-electric version of a new truck, which was initially called the Ramcharger. The fully-electric Ram 1500 REV is canceled due to slowing demand, while the range-extended version, formerly known as the Ramcharger, will be sold under the new name Ram 1500 REV. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the cancellation of the Ram electric truck: 54sButter Da InsiderYouTube · Sep 13, 2025
Discontinuation of the classic Ramcharger

• The original Dodge Ramcharger SUV was produced until the end of the 1993 model year. 
• It was discontinued due to declining sales and changing consumer preferences. 

Discontinuation of the new electric truck and name change

• Stellantis has canceled the development of the all-electric Ram 1500 pickup truck. 
• This decision was made in response to slowing demand for full-size battery-electric vehicles. 
• The range-extended version, which was initially called the Ramcharger, will be produced instead. 
• This range-extended truck will now be named the Ram 1500 REV, which is the same name as the canceled all-electric model. This is intended to create a more recognizable and less confusing brand identity. 

This video explains the new name change and its implications: 56sScavenger1320YouTube · Sep 12, 2025

Why did Dodge stop making the Ramcharger?

The company says the decision was based on slowing demand in North America for full-size electric trucks. Along with that decision, Ram says it is renaming the forthcoming plug-in hybrid truck from Ramcharger to REV.