The mid-size ute market is about to get even more competitive, with Ram officially confirming it will launch a new model in the United States in 2027. The yet-to-be-named ute is expected to rival the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, and Ram Trucks Australia has expressed strong interest in bringing it to local showrooms.
A Revival of the Dakota?
This new model will be the first mid-size Ram since the Dodge Dakota, which was available in the U.S. from 1986 to 2011 before the brand shifted its focus to larger trucks like the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500. Industry speculation suggests the new ute could mark a revival of the Dakota nameplate.
Built in the USA, But Will It Come to Australia?
The new ute will be manufactured at Stellantis’ Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, which has been idle since Jeep ceased production of the Cherokee SUV in 2023. The United Auto Workers union has confirmed the plant will reopen in 2027 to produce the mid-size truck, though an official start date has not been announced by Stellantis.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis has made it clear that he wants a mid-size truck in the lineup to fill the void left by the discontinued Ram 1500 Classic. With the rising costs of new vehicles, he sees this model as a more affordable alternative for truck buyers.
“A mid-size ute is on our wish list for Ram in Australia,” said Jeff Barber, managing director of Ram Trucks Australia. “It has been on our radar for years, and we think it would be a good fit for Australia.”
Body-on-Frame or Unibody?
One of the biggest unanswered questions is whether the upcoming Ram ute will feature a traditional body-on-frame construction like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux or if it will adopt a unibody design similar to the South American Ram Rampage, which shares its platform with the Jeep Compass.
Another critical factor is whether the new model will be available in right-hand drive from the factory, like the Jeep Gladiator, or if it will require local conversion, as with larger Ram trucks sold in Australia.
Potential Powertrains and Platform
If the new ute follows the body-on-frame route, it could be built on Stellantis’ STLA Frame platform, which is set to debut in the upcoming electric Ram 1500 REV and Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid. The STLA Frame architecture supports petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric, and even hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains.
With a minimum length of 5488mm, a width of 2062mm, and a wheelbase of 3143mm, the STLA Frame-based ute would be slightly longer than the Ford Ranger but with similar proportions otherwise
While many details remain unconfirmed, the potential arrival of a mid-size Ram ute in Australia would provide a compelling alternative to existing market leaders. With a combination of rugged capability, modern technology, and potentially competitive pricing, this new model could shake up the highly competitive ute segment.
As more information emerges, all eyes will be on Ram to see how this exciting new addition to their lineup unfolds.
