Ram Trucks confirms Dakota mid-sized ute

RAM TRUCKS has confirmed the revival of the Dakota nameplate, announcing it will launch the vehicle as a rival to mid-sized pick-up offerings like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.

According to publication Mopar Insiders, Stellantis boss Antonio Filosa said the Ram Dakota will “be here by 2027” and will “likely (be) sold under the Ram brand as Dodge was spun off in 2009 to focus on SUVs and muscle cars”.

The Dodge Dakota was sold in the North American market from 1986 until 2011.

The report said Mr Filosa had given investors a glimpse of the new Dakota at the brand’s recent Kepler Chervereaux Autumn Conference, pointing to an official return of the model in 2027.

Mopar Insiders says the new Dakota is at the clay modelling phase ready to progress on the next steps to production. It will give Ram Trucks a much-needed fillip and potentially claw back sales lost when the relatively affordable, larger Ram 1500 Classic ceased production in October last year.

While it is not yet known whether the Dakota will be produced in right-hand drive format, there is the potential Ram Trucks Australia may seek to convert the model locally, as it does with the larger 1500.

“We would love a mid-size pick-up and we have always said we have our hand raised if ever such a vehicle were to become available for our market,” said Ram Trucks Australia general manager Jeff Barber.

Mopar Insiders says the arrival of a new Dakota in the North American market marks a “huge milestone” for the Ram brand, “filling a gap in the line-up that has been left wide open since the Dodge Dakota bowed out in 2011”.

The publication said the 11 September announcement is the first time Stellantis leadership has given a concrete timeline for the new model, adding that the model is arriving “ready to make a statement”, potentially suggesting it may look as ready for action as the recently outed Dakota Nightfall Concept (pictured).

Mr Filosa reportedly told investors that he “recently had the chance to see more than just sketches of the truck” at the company’s design centre in Detroit, adding that it is “just beautiful”.

Ram Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis said previously that the new mid-sized pick-up “will serve as the spiritual successor to the Ram 1500 Classic, delivering an affordable gateway into the Ram brand”.

“For customers priced out of a new Ram 1500, this mid-sized option will arrive at just the right time,” he added.

Adding to the model’s desirability factor is the fact it will be built upon a body-on-frame construction. That will give the Dakota a toe-to-toe standing with rivals from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, potentially reshuffling the leaderboard in the highly profitable North American market.

“Both Mr Filosa and Mr Kuniskis know they have to strike the right balance,” reported Mopar Insiders.

“If priced like the Ford Ranger – which starts at $US33,330 ($A50,030) and goes all the way to $US56,070 ($A84,510) for the high-performance Raptor – the new Ram truck could hit the sweet spot.

“Positioned correctly, it won’t cannibalise 1500 sales but instead pull in new buyers who’ve been waiting for an entry-level Ram.”