The Toyota Tacoma May Be Getting a New Midsize Truck Rival
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Thanks to its workhorse reliability and rugged off-road capability, the Toyota Tacoma dominates the midsize pickup segment in the United States. It's a truck that's truly versatile in its abilities, and it offers something for everyone because of its vast aftermarket support.
Nevertheless, in more diverse markets around the world, other OEMs are trying to contest Toyota's supremacy. The latest effort comes from Ram; oddly enough, however, it's not bound for the US — yet.
Brazilian nightfall
The truck you see before you is called the Dakota Nightfall Concept, and it offers a preview of the all-new Ram Dakota midsize pickup set to launch in Brazil and South America for 2026.
While this means that it's off-limits for buyers in the United States, the concept is still an intriguing vehicle, and CEO Tim Kuniskis has hinted at more trucks coming to the brand's lineup in the future.
In any case, just look at the styling. From the striking grille and illuminated hood intake to the rugged bumpers, fender moldings and tow hooks, it skews a lot like a mini Ram TRX.
And the truck doesn't skimp on the equipment, either. In making the Dakota Nightfall Concept, Ram fitted the pickup with real-deal all-terrain upgrades like a front winch, beadlock wheels and underbody protection. Riding on some lifted Fox suspension and 33-inch tires, it's a Tacoma-rivaling off-roader through and through.
Dakota pickup precedent
Even though it's not slated for a North American release, the return of the Dakota nameplate makes for big news — the truck first hit the market in 1987, and it remained on sale in the United States until it was finally laid to rest in 2011 with Ram branding.
Enthusiasts have been calling for the truck's revival for years now, so Stellantis could be testing the nameplate in another market before bringing the pickup back to the United States. It could use a midsize in its lineup to rival the likes of the Toyota Tacoma.
That said, given the similarities to other models in the brand's portfolio — like the Peugeot Landtrek — as keenly reported by Carbuzz, it's not likely that this particular version of the Dakota could make for a profitable stateside seller.
Regardless, with Kuniskis at the helm, Ram is a brand to be watching in the truck segment. Given the CEO's 25-product announcement plan, his ambitious SRT initiatives and the recently confirmed return of the TRX, there's no telling what's going on behind the scenes.
Forbidden fruit
While the Nightfall is only a concept, the Ram Dakota is slated for production, and Stellantis has announced that it will be providing more details soon.
Unfortunately for US readers, this truck remains forbidden fruit. When it goes on sale in South America, it will take on the Toyota Hilux (the Tacoma's global sibling) and the Ford Ranger. If you'd like to learn more or stay updated, you can visit the Stellantis website.
Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept
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