There was a 44-day strike between the United Auto Workers union and Stellantis. They have now made a short-term agreement. As part of the deal, the carmaker agreed to start its production plant in Belvidere, Illinois. So, a new car is on the way, and top UAW leaders have confirmed that it will be the much-anticipated Ram pickup, which will be smaller than the Ram 1500. The truck was called “midsize” by Rich Boyer, Vice President of the UAW. But it must be clarified if it will rival the Ford Maverick or something more directly aimed at the Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford Ranger. In June, a source told The Drive that Ram would sell its small Rampage truck in the US. Mopar Insiders think the Rampage is a resurrection of the Dakota because it has a single body instead of a body-on-frame design. It’s telling that the Belvidere plant wasn’t built to make body-on-frame trucks and was last used to make Jeep Cherokees. Stellantis’ STLA Large platform is likely to be used to create it. This platform can hold both battery-electric and internal-combustion engine powertrains. Stellantis is building an EV battery factory in Belvidere so that the company may offer both gas-only and electric car models. Oddly, the Ram 1500 half-ton is the brand’s smallest truck right now, given its size. Stellantis is losing market share in many areas, such as the small truck and actual middle segments. Stellantis might do better in the market if it offered a hybrid or electric engine for its car. At the moment, only the Maverick in the compact class has power. In the midsize truck class, they have yet to do so. Since the secret is out, Stellantis will give us more information. This will be huge, and I was surprised that the release came at the same time as the UAW’s. Ram is running out of time to show off its smaller but more powerful fighter, and you can be sure our website will discuss it.
