Latest news with #RamDakota
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
American brand Ram previews Hilux rival - here's how it could come to South Africa
The Ram Dakota Nightfall concept closely previews the brand's upcoming Hilux rival. Image: Stellantis Ram is one of the top producers of pick-up trucks in the US, or bakkies as we prefer to call them. The Ram 1500 is their big seller Stateside - Chuck Norris even drove one while attempting to intimidate us all as Walker, Texas Ranger in the 1990s - but due to its left-hand-drive configuration, this Ford F150 rival was never an option for South Africa. Today, Ram is owned by global auto giant Stellantis, and although there has been no indication that the American brand will be introduced to South Africa, a recent development appears to make it more plausible. Ram has just revealed its Dakota Nightfall Concept, which closely previews a new one-tonne bakkie for South American markets, which will rival the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. The Dakota appears to be based on the Peugeot Landtrek. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading But look closer, particularly at its bodyshell, and the new Ram appears to be based on the Peugeot Landtrek, which is derived from the Changan F70 from China. With Stellantis planning to build the Peugeot Landtrek in South Africa once its Coega plant in the Eastern Cape is up and running, is it really such a stretch to speculate that the Ram Dakota production model could also be built alongside it? This is assuming they're as closely related as they appear. No technical information on the Dakota has been released, but we do know that it will launch in 2026 in South American markets and will be built in Argentina. 'The new Ram Dakota will be the second product to emerge from our Stellantis pickup hub in Córdoba, Argentina. The brand is strategic for the company globally and in our region. It's a benchmark in the segment, capable of offering the most luxurious, powerful, and robust pickups on the market,' said Emanuele Cappellano, president of Stellantis South America. The Ram Dakota will likely adopt the new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that's being fitted to facelifted Landtrek models abroad, with outputs listed at 147kW and 450Nm. The current 1.9-litre turbodiesel could also be offered as an entry option. While any potential Ram introduction to South Africa is no more than speculation, Stellantis is forging ahead with its new plant in Coega, with the earthworks now completed. The company's managing director for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Mike Whitfield, recently revealed that Stellantis had scaled down its initial ambition to build 50,000 Landtreks per year locally for export into Africa. However, the bakkie will remain a core product for the plant, and two other products will be added, including a new energy vehicle. These additional product plans will be revealed at a later date, he said. IOL Motoring
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2026 Ram Dakota previewed with concept, not likely for Australia
Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from: Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from: Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from: Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2026 Ram Dakota previewed with concept, not likely for Australia
Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and 'powerful, long-range LED' tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. 'There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment,' said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. 'Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America.' The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger -related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpert in April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2026 Ram Dakota previewed with concept, not likely for Australia
Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and 'powerful, long-range LED' tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. Supplied Credit: CarExpert No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment,' said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. 'Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America.' The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpert in April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute.
