The question of who is the actual manufacturer of Ram pickups often causes confusion even among seasoned car enthusiasts accustomed to the old logos. For a long time, these powerful trucks were associated exclusively with the brand Dodge, and this stereotype still influences the perception of the brand in the market. However, in 2009, a landmark division occurred, changing the corporate structure and separating the truck line into a separate brand Ram Trucks.
Today the corporation is responsible for production Stellantis, resulting from the merger of auto industry giants, which makes the chain of ownership quite difficult to understand at first glance. If previously everything was decided within the American division of Chrysler, now the global holding unites the resources of dozens of brands to create competitive cars. Understanding this structure helps to better understand the origin of components, assemblies, and even the specifics of warranty service.
The geography of production has also undergone changes, shifting from purely American sites to the international level to optimize costs. The main facilities are now located in the USA and Mexico, where both classic models and new versions with diesel engines are assembled Cummins. Let's take a closer look at how the history of the brand has changed and where exactly these popular pickup trucks are coming off the assembly line today.
Corporate structure and brand owner
Currently the owner of the brand Ram is a transnational corporation Stellantis, formed in 2021. This is the result of the merger of a French-Italian holding PSA Group and American-Italian Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Prior to this merger, between 2014 and 2021, the assets were controlled by FCA, which in turn was managed by a Dutch holding company. This complex ownership structure allows the brand to share platforms and technologies with the Jeep, Chrysler, Peugeot and Citroen brands.
Historically, the brand originated in the depths of the company Chrysler Corporation, which in 1981 acquired the truck division of Dodge. It was then that the Ram name began to be actively used to designate pickup trucks, although the ram's head logo had been used earlier. The separation into a separate brand in 2009 was a strategic move that allowed the marketing strategies of passenger cars and heavy trucks to be separated.
⚠️ Attention: When searching for spare parts or documentation, it is important to indicate the year of manufacture, since until 2009 the models were officially called Dodge Ram, and after that they were simply Ram. This affects the catalog numbers of some body parts.
The influence of Italian capital through the Fiat group played a key role in the modernization of production lines. It was thanks to investments and management decisions from Europe that it was possible to launch the production of new generations of pickup trucks with advanced electronics and diesel engines. Now Stellantis positions Ram as one of its key brands in the pickup truck segment, competing with Ford and General Motors.
Historical path: from Dodge to independent Ram
The path to independence was long and began long before the formal division. In the 1980s, Dodge pickups were utilitarian, but often lacked comfort compared to competitors. The company's engineers knew that winning the tonnage race required a new approach to design and marketing. The appearance of the ram's head logo became a symbol of strength and endurance, which made it possible to form a loyal audience.
The key moment was the appearance of the fourth generation in 2009, when the brand Ram finally separated from Dodge. This decision made it possible to concentrate all resources on the development of cargo platforms, without looking at passenger sedans and crossovers. During the same period, active work began on improving the interior, which became a distinctive feature of the new models.
It is important to note the role of engines Cummins in a success story. The partnership with the diesel engine manufacturer began in the late 80s and continues to this day. Installation of the legendary 6-liter diesel engine became unique advantage Ram ahead of competitors who had diesel engines of their own or less powerful ones.
Why did the logo change?
Throughout history, the logo has changed several times: from text writing to a stylized image of a ram. In 2014, a new logo with the inscription RAM was introduced, which is still used today, symbolizing a new stage in the development of the brand.
The modern line includes not only classic trucks, but also a baby pickup truck Ram 1500 Classic, which is actually a version of the previous generation. This allows the brand to cover different price segments, offering customers a choice between time-tested designs and the latest technologies.
Geography of production: where pickup trucks are assembled
The main and largest plant for the assembly of Ram pickup trucks is the complex Saltillo Truck Assembly, located in Mexico. It was from here that models with diesel engines were supplied to markets around the world, including Europe and Russia (before restrictions were introduced). The plant features a high level of automation and strict quality control that meets North American standards.
There are two key plants located in the United States: Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan and Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. At the first, heavy models were historically assembled, and at the second, lighter versions were assembled. Capacity distribution allows you to flexibly respond to changes in demand and launch new models without stopping all production.
For the Canadian market, a plant operated in the city for a long time Brampton, however, in recent years, production there has been repurposed. Now the bulk of cars for the North American continent come from Mexican and American lines. Logistics is structured in such a way as to minimize delivery time to large distribution centers.
When buying a used car, pay attention to the VIN code: the first characters will indicate the country of assembly. 3 - Mexico, 1 or 4 - USA. This will help to more accurately determine the origin of a particular car.
Build quality may vary slightly between factories due to different generations of equipment, but the standards Stellantis are the same for all sites. Regular audits and inspections ensure that the consumer receives the same quality product regardless of where their truck was assembled.
Technical features and platforms
Modern Ram pickups are built on a spar frame, which is the foundation of the entire structure. Engineers use high-strength steel grades, which reduces the weight of the body while maintaining load-bearing capacity. This is critical for performance such as payload capacity and the ability to tow heavy trailers.
One of the main technical innovations was the independent rear suspension on some models and the use of pneumatic elements Air Ride. This system allows the driver to adjust the ride height depending on the load, which improves aerodynamics on the highway and makes loading easier. This sets Ram apart from its competitors, which often use simpler spring designs.
The engine range includes both petrol V6 and V8 families Hemi, and diesel inline sixes. Gasoline engines are equipped with cylinder deactivation systems to save fuel, which is rare for pickups of this class. Diesel versions are famous for their torque, which is available from low revs.
☑️ What to look for when choosing an engine
Transmissions have also undergone evolution: if previously 4-5-speed automatic transmissions were the standard, now 8-speed gearboxes are installed ZF and even 12-speed units for heavy versions. This allows you to keep the engine in the optimal speed range, reducing noise and consumption.
Comparison of characteristics of popular models
To understand the differences between the models, it is worth considering their key parameters. The line is divided into light (1500), medium (2500) and heavy (3500) pickups. Each category has its own objectives and technical equipment.
| Model | Engine type | Drive | Load capacity (max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 | 3.6L V6 / 5.7L V8 | 4x2 / 4x4 | up to 1050 kg |
| Ram 2500 | 6.4L V8 / 6.7L Diesel | 4x4 | up to 1800 kg |
| Ram 3500 | 6.7L Diesel | 4x4 DRW | up to 3500 kg |
| Ram TRX | 6.2L Supercharged V8 | 4x4 | up to 850 kg |
Model TRX deserves special attention as a high-speed SUV based on a pickup truck. It is equipped with a compressor engine producing over 700 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful production pickup trucks in history. This is an image model demonstrating the technical capabilities of the concern.
Heavy versions are often equipped with dual rear wheels, which significantly increases stability when towing. For such machines, correct wheel balancing and suspension condition are critically important, since the loads on the components are colossal.
Legal aspects and ownership in the Russian Federation
In Russia, Ram pickups were not officially supplied by dealers in large volumes, so most of the cars on the roads are “American” or “Canadian” imported through parallel import or personal use. This creates certain difficulties with warranty service and finding original spare parts. Owning such a car requires understanding the specifics of the market.
When registering with the traffic police, questions may arise regarding the category of the vehicle. Pickup trucks are often registered as trucks (category B or C depending on weight), which affects transport tax and rules for driving into city centers. It is important to carefully study the STS and PTS documents when purchasing.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the correct permission is indicated in the PTS