By Steven Symes 
There’s been plenty of speculation that a midsize Ram truck is coming to America but now we have official confirmation. The funny thing is that’s not coming from Ram or even Stellantis. Instead, it’s UAW Local 1268 President Matt Frantzen who’s spilling the beans and we’re here for it.
The Ram 1500 has a Hemi V8 again, but there’s a catch.
The plan is to use the Belvidere Assembly Plant to assemble the unnamed midsize Ram pickup by 2027. In case you don’t remember, that factory was previously idled back in February of 2023. Then it was announced an EV battery plant as well as a parts hub would be opened at the site, making it an electrified facility.
But those plans have been iced and instead the new Ram won’t be an EV. It could be a hybrid, or there could be a hybrid version, but we’ll have to wait and see on that. Instead, Frantzen told CBT News BAP will be a truck assembly facility only.
We’re unsure if the plant is being tooled for that purpose right now or if that will start soon. Stellantis will only say it’s reopening the facility, avoiding commenting on what it will assemble there.
Speculation has been that Ram might revive the old Dakota name and use that for a midsize truck. It’s possible another name from Mopar’s rich heritage could be used, although we’re not sure what that might be.
Since BAP will be producing trucks, it’s possible the rumor that the Rampage will be coming to America could bear fruit. The compact pickup is currently built in Brazil. With many consumers feeling economic pressure, there might be a revolution of smaller trucks in this country as a way to scale back and control costs.
This fits in with Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis promising a flurry of new product reveals in the next 18 months.
Image via Stellantis