Ram has been serving customers with a big appetite and big pockets. Post discontinuation of the Dakota, the smallest pickup truck in its lineup has been the Ram 1500. Given how the market trend has been changing lately, it is essential for Ram to slot a truck at entry-level to compete against the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado and, after a 7-year exile, they have exactly done that. On Friday, FCA announced that a new truck will be entering the lineup below the 1500 by 2022.

Small pickup truck market is picking up

Seeing the rivals’ success, FCA decided to add a body-on-frame small truck and make its presence felt in the mid-size pickup truck market. After seeing a dip in sales, the demand for small trucks has again picked up. Chevrolet re-introduced the Colorado, and GMC introduced the Canyon, and both of them are enjoying good sales figures. It’s not just Ram, but even Ford decided to get the Ranger back to the U.S. This shows the kind of potential there is in this segment. The new Ram truck will be built in Toledo, Ohio itself, where Jeep’s Wrangler-based pickup truck is being built.

Badge-sharing is confirmed

“The future mid-size pickup will be a metric ton truck for global markets and sold under either the Fiat or Ram brand, depending on the market,” said a Ram representative in an email to The Drive.

Our Take

It would’ve been a no-brainer had it been a Ram-exclusive truck. But since there will be badge sharing, the truck might get a new name. Or will it be named Dakota under the Ram brand, and something else under the Fiat badge? This isn’t something new for FCA. The Ram ProMaster City is sold in other markets as the Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper, and Peugeot boxer. Perhaps, this could be it. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 1500.

Read more Ram news.