- Stellantis showed the new Ram Dakota to dealers ahead of 2028.
- Production is planned for Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio.
- The ladder-frame truck will use combustion and likely hybrid.
Ram is finally getting back into the midsize pickup game, ending a hiatus that began when the original Dakota stepped out of production in 2011. During a private showcase at the NADA Show in Las Vegas this week, Stellantis gave dealers an early look at the new truck, which is expected to arrive in showrooms in 2028.
The company is holding back on official specs for now, but initial dealer reactions to the design have been largely upbeat.
First Impressions, Off the Record
According to a report from Auto News, multiple attendees described the upcoming Dakota as carrying a “rough, aggressive look” that aligns well with Ram’s established image as a builder of tough, work-ready trucks.
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Jason Feldman, a dealer manager from Houston, pointed out that the proportions seemed dialed in to go head-to-head with key rivals like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. “As long as the pricing is in line, it’s going to be a huge hit,” he said.
Adrian Gonzalez, general manager of Payne Edinburg Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in south Texas believes that the new Dakota will pose a threat to the Tacoma: “It really did look nice. Toyota better be careful – we’re going to start competing with them when it comes to the Tacoma. That says a lot.”
Ralph Mahalak Jr., who owns six Stellantis dealerships across Florida, Ohio, and Michigan, called the Dakota a “game changer” in the segment.
Ladder-Frame Underpinnings
This new North American model is unrelated to the South American-market Dakota, which debuted in October 2025 using a Chinese platform and a Fiat-sourced diesel. Unlike the unibody EV concept teased back in 2021, the upcoming Dakota for the US will feature a ladder-frame chassis and a combustion engine.
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Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis recently stressed that the new model needs to deliver the towing and payload capability expected of a “proper truck,” not just the image of one. While he confirmed that a V8 won’t be part of the lineup, a hybrid setup is under serious consideration, as a way to keep up with where the market’s going.
Plans for production have shifted from the Belvidere plant in Illinois to the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio, where the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are also built. This decision is part of Stellantis’ $13 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing aimed at modernizing its operations.
In Desperate Need of a Midsize Truck
Ram’s absence from the midsize category has been a lingering issue within the brand’s lineup. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa recently referred to Ram as a “huge, strong pickup maker that is missing a midsize pickup truck.”
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Although the Jeep Gladiator technically competes in the same space, it serves a different purpose. Positioned as an off-road niche model, it leaves room for a more mainstream, utility-focused alternative.
With a launch window targeting 2028, Ram appears to be playing the long game, aiming to land in step with the next generation of midsize rivals. In addition to the Toyota Tacoma, the segment also includes the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier.
