Why is Dodge called ram now?
For decades, Dodge has been a household name in the automotive industry, known for producing reliable cars, trucks, and SUVs. However, in recent years, you may have noticed that Dodge trucks are now branded as "Ram." This change has left many car enthusiasts and customers wondering why the rebranding occurred. In this article, we’ll explore the history behind this decision and what it means for the Dodge and Ram brands.
The History of Dodge and Ram
The Dodge brand has a long and storied history, dating back to its founding in 1900 by the Dodge brothers. Over the years, Dodge became synonymous with rugged, dependable vehicles, particularly its line of trucks. The "Ram" name was first introduced in 1981 as a model name for Dodge's pickup trucks, inspired by the iconic ram hood ornament that symbolized strength and determination.
The Split: Dodge and Ram Become Separate Brands
In 2009, Fiat acquired Chrysler, the parent company of Dodge, during Chrysler's financial struggles. As part of Fiat's restructuring plan, the decision was made to separate Dodge's car lineup from its truck lineup. This led to the creation of the Ram Truck brand, which officially launched in 2010. The goal was to allow Dodge to focus on performance cars and SUVs, while Ram could specialize in trucks and commercial vehicles.
Why the Rebranding Made Sense
The decision to split Dodge and Ram into two distinct brands was driven by several strategic reasons:
- Brand Focus: By separating the two, Dodge could concentrate on its muscle cars and SUVs, such as the Charger, Challenger, and Durango, while Ram could dedicate itself to building a strong identity in the truck market.
- Market Differentiation: The truck market is highly competitive, and having a dedicated brand like Ram allowed Fiat Chrysler to better compete with rivals like Ford's F-Series and Chevrolet's Silverado.
- Clearer Marketing: With separate branding, marketing efforts could be tailored specifically to the target audiences of each brand, making it easier to communicate their unique strengths and features.
What This Means for Customers
For customers, the rebranding has had little impact on the quality and reliability of the vehicles. Ram trucks continue to be built with the same commitment to durability and performance that Dodge trucks were known for. In fact, the Ram brand has thrived since the split, earning numerous awards and accolades for its innovative designs and features.
Conclusion
The decision to rebrand Dodge trucks as Ram was a strategic move that allowed both brands to grow and thrive in their respective markets. While the name on the badge may have changed, the legacy of strength and dependability that Dodge trucks were known for lives on in the Ram brand. Whether you're a fan of Dodge's muscle cars or Ram's powerful trucks, there's no denying that this split has allowed both brands to shine in their own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dodge RAM now just Ram?
In 2009, Dodge's parent company, Chrysler, made RAM a stand-alone name for their pickup trucks. If you own a truck made before 2009, it's called a Dodge RAM, and all post-2009 pickup trucks are simply RAM trucks.
Why is Dodge Ram now just Ram?
In 2009, Dodge's parent company, Chrysler, made RAM a stand-alone name for their pickup trucks. If you own a truck made before 2009, it's called a Dodge RAM, and all post-2009 pickup trucks are simply RAM 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 change the name to Ram?
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.
Why is Dodge Ram 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.
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."
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?
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 do we call it Ram?
It's called random access because the data can be quickly read and modified in any order. Compare this with older storage media like CD-RWs, where data is accessed in a fixed sequence that's slower.
Why did Dodge stop using the Ram 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. This meant Dodge had to produce a new logo, but the brand decided to do something even better… they produced two!
