Next-Gen Ram 1500 Could Spawn SUV, Midsize Pickup
When the next-generation Ram 1500 comes along, it could spawn a full-size SUV to compete with the Chevy Tahoe.
“You have the opportunity with a new frame for the next-generation Ram,” said Mike Manley, head of the Ram and Jeep brands. “You have the opportunity to take a large SUV off of it because we already have a very, very capable frame today that is going to be upgraded.”
Seeing as Fiat Chrysler is pouring money into developing trucks and SUVs, having the Ram frame spawn a full-size SUV seems like an obvious decision for the company. These models also tend to have high profit margins, another incentive for FCA.
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This large body-on-frame SUV likely wouldn’t be a Ram-branded vehicle and could be sold as a Dodge or Jeep.
Besides an SUV, Ram is still considering launching a midsize pickup, which would be based on a smaller version of the 1500’s chassis. “In terms of midsize pickup for Ram I very much believe that that’s an opportunity for the brand,” Manley said. “Not just because of the success of the few competitors that have been playing in that field, but I …have been part of the history of the brand, I think it remains a great opportunity for us. But I have no definitive plans for that to announce today.”
The next-generation Ram is expected to arrive in 2018, so expect the large SUV and small pickup truck to hit the market sometime after that.
[Source: USA Today]
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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Cant wait!