Ram Boss Confirms Ram’s Tacoma Rival Is Coming To America
“We now have confirmation of when the highly anticipated midsize truck will make its debut in the U.S.”
The story starts with some disappointment: the production version of the Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept—already confirmed for South America—won’t be coming to the U.S. Tied to the Peugeot Landtrek and expected to be built overseas, this Dakota won’t make it past American borders. But there’s a silver lining. The U.S. will instead get its own version of the Dakota, one designed with the muscle to take on the Toyota Tacoma in the fiercely competitive midsize pickup segment.
The confirmation comes straight from Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, who revealed the news during an informal chat at the Kepler Cheuvreux Autumn Conference last week, according to Mopar Insiders. Filosa went beyond simply confirming the midsize pickup—he offered insights into its design that extend past early sketches. His confidence was clear, even inviting investors to visit Detroit to see the truck in person.
“Two weeks ago, it was in our design center in Detroit, and I saw the (truck) itself, not only the sketches and designs but the clay model. And it’s just beautiful.”
– Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis
Body-On-Frame Truck Confirmed
Rumors of the Dakota’s return—once a Dodge model before its discontinuation in 2011—have been swirling for a while. Some speculated it might adopt a unibody design, similar to the Honda Ridgeline. However, according to unnamed sources from Mopar Insiders, the new Dakota will feature body-on-frame construction, positioning it as a serious competitor to the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado.
Earlier reports suggested the Dakota might be produced at Stellantis’ Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant, but that now appears uncertain. Other potential sites include Chrysler’s Toledo plant in Ohio, home to the Wrangler and Gladiator, or the Warren Truck Assembly plant in Michigan. While nothing has been officially confirmed, it seems likely that the new midsize truck will be built in the U.S. to avoid additional import duties.
It’s Coming in 2027, Likely Priced Under $40,000
As for pricing, Stellantis hasn’t shared official figures yet. However, industry observers expect the Dakota to compete directly with the midsize pickups mentioned earlier. To stay competitive—and avoid eating into sales of the base Ram 1500, which starts at $41,025 for the 2026 model year, or the Ram 1500 Express, starting at $42,400—the new Dakota will likely be priced in the $30,000 range.
The Ram Dakota revival is still expected to arrive in 2027, according to earlier memos sent to the UAW. Industry chatter hasn’t suggested any changes to that timeline, so the schedule appears to be on track. With one of the most anticipated nameplates returning to the highly competitive American truck market, fans are eager for more than just a glimpse from CEO Filosa next year.
