Are Dodge and Ram the Same Company?
Serena Aburahma
· 3 min read
It’s not surprising to hear of umbrella companies like Stellantis who own multiple well-known car brands, of various qualities. In recent years, mergers and acquisitions have been the norm in the automotive industry. So people are now wondering, "Does Dodge still make
Ram
trucks? If not, who does?"
The history of Dodge Ram trucks
According to
Auto Influence
, Dodge started making trucks in 1917. However, the automaker didn't use the name "Ram" for any of their models back then. What Dodge did do was a little more subtle. From the ‘30s through the ‘50s, Dodge trucks had a ram's head hood ornament. Then in 1981, Dodge resurrected their old mascot when the first Ram truck rolled off the assembly line. For nearly three decades after that, Dodge continued to produce Ram trucks. The brand gained icon status in the ‘90s, thanks to the TV show Walker, Texas Ranger.
The
Ray Brandt
dealership in Harvey, LA, reported that Dodge and Ram split into two different brands in 2009. But old habits die hard, so it's understandable if you still slip up and refer to any of the trucks as a "Dodge Ram."After the split, both brands were both still owned by the same parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group. The division happened, in part, so that each brand could focus on what they do best.
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Ram trucks have flourished since the split
MORE: Is the Fully Loaded 2020 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel Worth the Massive Price Tag?
The split has been good for Ram, and the specialization paid off. While the Ford F-150 remains America's top-selling truck, Ram has managed to sweep up some awards. Ram has won the MotorTrend Truck of the Year award six times since splitting from Dodge.
In addition to their 1500, 2500, 3500, and chassis cab truck models, Ram also produces two commercial vans: the ProMaster and ProMaster City.
Meanwhile, Dodge has focused on muscle cars
MORE: Dodge Wants to "Tear Up the Streets, Not the Planet" with This New Electric Muscle Car
Dodge has been busy focusing on a streamlined selection of American muscle cars. The Charger and Challenger take center stage, with the company's tagline "Brotherhood of Muscle."
Since breaking away from Ram, the brand has built a reputation around style, design, and performance.
Dodge also still produces the Durango SUV, which seats up to seven. The SRT models have some serious towing capacity and can haul up to 8,700 pounds.
In 2021, Dodge won Kelley Blue Book's (KBB) Brand Image Award.
KBB
claims that Dodge manages to turn heads through their "modern-day take on the 1960s and 1970s." But it hasn't been all awards for the brand, particularly when it comes to the 2021 Dodge Charger. One noted drawback of the model is that it lacks the option to pair all-wheel drive with the V8 engine.
So who owns both brands now?
In January 2021, Dodge and Ram went through another restructuring. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with Peugeot S.A. to form a new global corporation, Stellantis. Other car brands produced by Stellantis include Jeep, Mopar, Citroën, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo.
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