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Dodge Ram

The Dodge Ram is a line of full-size pickup trucks originally sold under the Dodge brand beginning in 1981.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Dodge Ram is a line of full-size pickup trucks originally sold under the Dodge brand beginning in 1981. In 2010, Ram Trucks became a separate brand, and the trucks were renamed Ram pickups, including the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500. The Ram logo featuring a ram’s head was originally used by Dodge.

History

The Ram name was introduced in 1981 for redesigned Dodge pickup trucks derived from the earlier Dodge D Series. The vehicle continued under the Dodge Ram name until 2010, when Ram Trucks became a separate brand.

Brand separation

Ram Trucks was created as a stand-alone division after being spun off from Dodge. After that change, the pickup line was marketed under Ram rather than Dodge.

Model range

The best-known modern versions are the Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500. These names correspond to different payload and duty classes within the lineup.

Market position

The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck that has been sold primarily in the United States and Canada. It is associated with both light-duty and heavy-duty truck use.

Key facts

  • The name Ram was first used in 1981 on redesigned Dodge trucks.
  • The model was sold as the Dodge Ram until Ram Trucks was spun off as a separate brand in 2010.
  • The Ram pickup is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler/Stellantis North America.
  • The modern lineup uses model numbers such as 1500, 2500, and 3500.
  • The Ram logo featuring a ram’s head was originally used by Dodge.
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Canadian context

The Dodge Ram and later Ram Trucks have been sold in Canada and are among the better-known full-size pickup lines in the Canadian market.[3]

Frequently asked questions

What is the Dodge Ram?
It is a full-size pickup truck line that was originally sold by Dodge and later continued under the Ram Trucks brand.
When did the Dodge Ram name first appear?
The Ram name was first used in 1981 on redesigned Dodge trucks.
Why did the name change from Dodge Ram to Ram?
In 2010, Ram Trucks was spun off from Dodge as a separate brand, so the pickups were marketed under the Ram name.
What are the main Ram truck models?
Common model names include the Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500.
Is Dodge Ram still sold today?
The name Dodge Ram is no longer the current brand name; the trucks are sold as Ram pickups under Ram Trucks.

References

  1. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram
    Supports: States that the Ram Pickup was previously called Dodge Ram, is a full-size pickup truck, and that the Ram name was first used in 1981.
  2. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram
    Supports: States that the Dodge Ram was sold primarily in the United States and Canada and first appeared in 1981.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Trucks
    Supports: Explains that Ram Trucks is a separate brand spun off from Dodge in 2009/2010 using the Ram pickup line name.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_pickup
    Supports: States that the Ram pickup was marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010 and later sold under the Ram Trucks brand.
  5. Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dodge_Ram
    Supports: Identifies Dodge Ram as an American full-size pickup built by FCA and notes its origin in the United States.