Renewed Hope for Mid-Size Ram Ute – report

A mid-size ute from Ram could be on the cards again, following comments made by the company’s boss.

In an interview with US publication Motor1, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis admitted a mid-size ute – designed to compete with the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – was still on his wish list.

“I want a mid-size truck so bad,” Kuniskis revealed at the 2025 Detroit Motor Show.

“Everything is more expensive. Trucks are way more expensive – bread goes up, you still got to eat, right? Trucks go up, you start looking for alternatives,” he said.

“I used to have a [cheaper] alternative with the Ram [1500] Classic. I don't have that anymore.”

Rumours of a mid-size Ram, nicknamed the Dakota, have persisted for several years.

While enthusiastic about the prospect of a smaller Ram, Kuniskis remained coy – unlike his predecessor, who had all but confirmed the project was underway.

Kuniskis replaced former Ram CEO Chris Feuell in December 2024, who told US magazine MotorTrend the ute “will be brought to market” as a global vehicle, just weeks before exiting the top job.

It’s expected the ute will be based on current architecture from Stellantis – the parent company of Ram – but will be brand-new, unlike the Ram 1200, which launched in Latin America in July 2024 based on the Peugeot Landtrek.

The Dakota – and the Ram 1200 – are also different from the Ram Rampage, which is positioned as a smaller lifestyle ute, like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Before Ram was spun-off as its own brand, the Dodge Dakota was produced as the company’s mid-size ute – made between 1986 and 2011.

While stopping short from confirming the Dakota, according to Motor1, Kuniskis had a “sparkle in his eyes” when pushed about the mid-size ute.

“Wouldn't it be great if I had a mid-size [model] that was an awesome, capable [ute] to fill in that gap?” he said.

“Yeah, I'd love to have one.”