Stellantis Cancels Ram 1500 Classic in Canada, America Next?

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

The burly Ram brand has officially announced what alert Canadian gearheads have known for a spell – the old-school Ram 1500 Classic pickup truck has been cancelled in that country.

Why have alert Canucks been wise to this development prior to Friday’s announcement? For starters, mention of the truck for a 2024 model year has never been part of the brand’s build-and-price tool in that country, despite dealers in the area having the things parked cheek-to-jowl on their lots. Meanwhile, both sides of the border sat up and took notice when the full-fat Ram 1500 earned a Warlock trim for 2024, a name formerly reserved for the Classic.


Per a short statement, the company said inventory in the Canadian market will sell through the 2024 calendar year, so presumably what ya see is what ya get in showrooms north of the border (unless someone’s willing to do a dealer trade; given the level of inventory on lots around here, that may be an option like it was in the pre-pandemic years). Notably, the same statement went on to say Ram 1500 Classic production will continue for the United States and Mexico.


Selling both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ trucks side-by-each wasn’t a wholly fresh idea when the current-gen Ram 1500 popped up about five years ago. After all, Ford did something similar with the F-150 way back in 2004 when that model was extensively redesigned. What is unique about the situation at Ram is how long the arrangement has lasted – to the point where the ‘new’ truck has received numerous minor changes and even a mild refresh on the front fascia of some trims.


Readers with a clue will have long identified that the Ram 1500 Classic is powered by either the 3.6-liter Pentastar or 5.7L Hemi, the latter of which isn’t long for this world. Continuing to offer the Classic with just the V6 would limit the truck’s towing prowess to less than 8,000 pounds. We feel the chances of Ram engineering the new straight-six turbo for use in a truck which first appeared over fifteen long years ago hovers somewhere between slim and none.


Our advice if you want a Ram 1500 Classic? Hop on that train before Stellantis makes a last call for the thing in America, too.


[Image: Ram]


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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Irvingklaws Irvingklaws on Apr 30, 2024

    I still prefer the looks of this generation to the new truck. If I were to buy new, it would be one of these.

  • Nathan Nathan on May 03, 2024

    The Ram is the most boring looking of the full size trucks, kind of like a Tundra.

    If they cancel the Ram Classic, I hope a full resign makes the Ram at least look interesting.

  • Billyboy The Big Three, or what used to be the Big Three, have been building sedans in the FWD unibody mold since the 80’s to compete with the Japanese - and failing. The Taurus was the only decent attempt, and even that fizzled out after a few years. Back to GM, There’s no reason to choose a Malibu over a Camry or Accord for normal buyers. The story was the same when it was the Citation, Celebrity, Lumina, and Impala, as it was the same with Ford and Chrysler. GM knows this, as does Ford, and doesn’t care - and rightfully so. Better to cede this time-worn commodity segment to others and focus to where the market has shifted.
  • CanadaCraig You are not wrong. Or a dummy for that matter. I also think it's foolish of GM to kill off the Malibu. That said... I think there needs to be full-sized plain jane sedans for sale. And there are none. And haven't been for a long time. A basic BIG car. With room for six. Bench seat and all. Nothing fancy. And a low price to go along with it. I would buy one.
  • OCcarguy Back in the 1980s the Mitsubishi Cordia was one of my favorite cars. I would love to see them make cars we could get excited about again.
  • Chris I dislike SUVs. I think they are clunky looking and not much in the handling department. I'll take an Audi A4 or BMw three series or even a VW Jetta over any SUV. It I need more interior room for a shot time, I'll rent something bigger.
  • Amwhalbi I have a sedan and an SUV, and for pure driving and riding enjoyment, I'll pick my sedan every time. But yes, SUV's are generally more practical for all around usage, particularly if you have only one vehicle. So I think the perfect answer is the sedan hatchback (a la the last Buick Regal) which can still yield the drive and ride or a sedan, yet provide a greater modicum of practical, accessible cargo capacity. Most of the sedans made could (with minor styling changes) easily become 4 door hatchbacks. Oh, yeah, I forgot - Americans don't like hatchbacks, even if they do in Europe...
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