Ram working on new mid-size ute

Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is allegedly looking to resurrect the Dakota mid-size ute as the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator find footholds in the States.

The rumour stems from a trademark application for the 'Dakota' badge with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, filed on April 29, 2020. While it is possible FCA is simply wanting to protect the name, the introduction of competitive utes in the segment would suggest not.

Adding fuel to the fire is a comment from Phil Bevans, chair of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles National Dealer Council. Earlier this year he mentioned he'd like to see a small truck offering and Ram's 2018-2022 roadmap suggests that idea has been taken on.

The last time Chrysler played in the medium pick up segment was with the third-gen Dodge Dakota that ran from 2005 to 2011.

Ram is looking to introduce the new TRX light duty truck, a new heavy-duty model and the mid-size/one-tonner by 2022.

**READ MORE:

This is Ram's latest roadmap. Looks like a new mid-size truck is indeed on the cards.

* Jeep to show electrified Wrangler, Compass and Renegade at CES 2020

* Ram trucks to the rescue for troubled Fiat-Chrysler

* Five baby utes we want for NZ

* Jeep sends a Gladiator into battle against a Ranger

* Utes are still beaut with the Kiwi psyche – just ask Fieldays

FCA stablemate Fiat recently introduced the Strada for South America last month, which is unlikely to provide a good base for a reborn Dakota and American buyers won't be much interested in the dinky 1.3-litre turbocharged engine that makes 81kW.

Of course, Ram could use the Jeep Gladiator, which already has a beefier powertrain, four-wheel drive and a larger chassis. Ram won't need quite the off-road capabilities the Jeep has but it could be easier to pacify the Gladiator instead of giving the Strada steroids.

The last time the Dakota badge was used was in 2011 aboard the Dodge Dakota mid-size pick-up. It was only a Ram for the last two years of production, though it was still referred to as a Dodge.

The mid-size arena is heating up now, with updated versions of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, Toyota's Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier all inbound.

As for New Zealand, with the demise of Holden it's unlikely we'll see a local Colorado doing battle with the Ranger, Hilux and Triton, but we could get a converted North American Colorado through the newly minted GMSV brand.

A similar operation could see the new Dakota arrive here too, as Walkinshaw Performance the company tipped that already 're-manufactures' GM product into RHD also carries out the process on the Ram 1500 for FCA. Slot a Hellcat engine in and Ram could have a nice little V8 Ranger Raptor competitor too… Just saying.