Wild-Ass Rumor Of The Day: Ram Developing Minivan-Based Compact Pickup?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

When Chrysler Group Design boss Ralph Gilles said yesterday that “nothing has changed from the Five Year Plan,” I failed to mention one of the issues that made his statement less than entirely accurate: the planned “mid-sized pickup” which was supposed to debut as a 2011 model. The planned unibody pickup was labeled as “under consideration” at the time, and since nobody has mentioned it since (and because Honda’s Ridgeline has been losing sales), most industry watchers seemed to think the idea was stillborn. Not so, reports wheels.ca. Citing insiders and suppliers briefed on the program, Wheels says the new truck will be built in Windsor, Ontario on Chrysler Group’s minivan platform as

an insurance policy that the plant will continue on three shifts at full capacity.

Which isn’t as thrilling a justification as, say, “the compact pickup market has been shamefully neglected for years, and rising gas prices and CAFE standards make well-developed, modern, fuel-efficient pickups a no-brainer,” but it will have to do. And since Chrysler is reportedly targeting only 15k-20k units per year, it’s not particularly surprising either. In honor of Chrysler’s return to front-drive, compact pickups, be sure to check out the Curbside Classic on its progenitor, the Dodge Rampage.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Troyohchatter Troyohchatter on May 18, 2011

    I am the perfect customer. I have a 2002 Ford Ranger 2wd, 4cyl, 5spd bought new. The most weight I have ever hauled is 1800Lbs. The most I have ever towed is a tick over 1000Lbs. The truck has spent 99.999% of it's time with less than 200Lbs in the bed. And yah know what? I have a 2000 CR-V 4wd because this Ranger is allergic to snow. Yeah, I'd buy a FWD based truck in a cocaine minute. Good commuter, home depot runs, etc. The issue is most think a truck should haul more than two people. That's a problem.

    • Luke42 Luke42 on May 19, 2011

      I'm in pretty much the same boat. My RWD Ranger is also allergic to snow, and rain makes it sneeze! It's a pity that the all weather capability is so lousy, because it's such an awesomely useful truck. To make matters "worse", I live so close to work that I only drive it in bad weather. :-) I've noticed that, when you add a back seat to a compact pickup truck, it looses either its compactness or its truckness...

  • Geozinger Geozinger on May 18, 2011

    This will never be built. This is just the groundwork for the eventual release of the Fiat Saviero (or some variant of it) in the US. Which, if they do that, would make lots of sense. I hope they do.

  • Anchke Anchke on May 18, 2011

    Too designy, for my taste. Why wouldn't you just buy a CUV, instead? If you need a pickup for a spring cleanup dump run, just rent it.

  • Mfgreen40 Mfgreen40 on May 19, 2011

    Most older (1980-1996) full size station wagons will carry a sheet of 4X8 plywood with the tailgate shut. A ten foot piece of conduit, no problem.

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