Ram Goes on a Rampage at Windsor

by black-knight, C&G Editor/Reporter

19th, May, 2011

Well, it seems the Pentastar folks now know what they're going to do to appeal to truck buyers who aren't macho enough to wander into a Ram showroom and buy the infamous Hemi-powered, semi-Kenworth, Chuck Norris-mobile. Speculation on what would finally replace the Dakota in the Ram line-up has ranged in recent years from something rear-wheel drive and body-on-frame to something probably front-drive and based on the bones of a Dodge Caravan. As it turns out, the latter is correct according to an article that surfaced over at Wheels.ca.

According to the Wheels article, "Both AutomotiveCompass, a leading U.S.-based industry research firm, and Chrysler suppliers revealed Tuesday the automaker has decided to proceed with production of a niche vehicle called the 'TR Ram Life Style Truck,' in October 2012 to help keep the plant humming on three shifts." Chrysler is expecting to sell a maximum of 20,000 Ram "lifestyle trucks" a year.

Currently, the Windsor plant builds the Chrysler Town and Country, the Dodge Caravan, and the Volkswagen Routan which is under contract to be produced until 2014 there. With rumors circulating that Volkswagen may build a van completely of their own, the Routan's long-term future most certainly is in question. If VW doesn't want the van beyond 2014, the extra capacity that would have went to waste would be picked up by Ram's new pickup.

So, if you were hoping for a Durango-based El Camino rival (a real man's "lifestyle truck" in other words), you may want to hold your breath and keep holding out for the day GM finally wakes up and imports the Holden Ute over here. Otherwise, it seems the Honda Ridgeline may finally be getting some competition.

Whoa, not an ambitious sales target. It could work, this thing. I always thought the Ridgeline was handicapped by its looks as much as its limited, true truck ability and its price.

Ok...so is this going to suppliment or replace the Dakota? And why is the Dakota still badged a Dodge..thought it would have moved to Ram.

Ridgeline 2.0

Not good.

If it looks normal, I predict a lot of Ridgelines traded in at The Dodge Boys.

All it's gotta do is keep the look close enough to the current Durango and it'll do fine for that volume

this is a possibility but a Wrangler based pickup isn't?