u/Few_Atmosphere8138

It's been a long standing discussion where we wonder if Ram should just become a Dodge nameplate once again, or if they should stay seperate. It's not a simple Yes/No answer, but there are ways it can be good and ways it could stumble.

Why some say they should stay seperate:

1. Consider the reason Dodge and Ram did seperate in the first place. That's because Dodge had an identity crisis. It was trying to do too many things at once, such as a Minivan, Trucks, SUVs, Cars, etc. It was doing too much but wasn't really good at anything (Jack of All Trades, Master of None). Therefore it was successful because Ram became more focused on its workhorse identity. Despite Dodge not evolving too much, it phased out the parts bin vehicles and focused purely on performance. Therefore they sell cars meaningfully rather than in sales volumes.
2. Their identities are rather incompatible. Ram is mainly focused not just on work trucks, but also commercial vans. Therefore Dodge's current performance identity is incompatible with the commercial vision.
3. Dodge and Ram have 2 different CEOs.

Why they should be unified:

1. First of all, I believe it should come back mainly because it just makes sense. Even in 2026 many of us still probably call Ram Trucks a Dodge (Dodge Ram). It also makes sense because most of the big brands that sell trucks don't have a seperate brand for them. For example, Ford's pickup trucks aren't a seperate brand, Chevrolet doesn't have a Silverado brand, etc.
2. Some now would say they should stay seperate because their identities are incompatible now. While that may be partly true, that's not exactly true because Ram is now working on a Rumble Bee performance pickup. Therefore Ram and Dodge are both making performance vehicles, which kinda make them feel like they should still be together.
3. It would create better equality. Right now Ram is getting all the sales, while Dodge is mostly starved down to two models. Therefore Dodge would have consistent evolution, lower production and brand management costs, consistent marketing, etc.
4. While Ram's vision is good, Dodge's performance vision is rather High Stakes. Sports car brands can be rather high risk because the buyers can be nitpicky. Therefore if they have mass models with performance (or SRT) variants, the brand will have lower expectations.

How could this work now?

• Dodge and Ram would be able to share their identities with each other. Dodge would be a mass market brand like it was before. It could have a Lineup similar to Chevrolet with sporty-rugged mass market Crossovers, SUVs, Commercial (pickup trucks and vans), along with sports cars.
• Dodge could make their lineup different from Jeep and Chrysler.
  • Chrysler would focus on smaller urban-focused vehicles. Similar to Buick, Peugeot, and Acura.The Pacifica Minivan, 2 sedans, and 2 crossovers.
  • Jeep focuses on Premium-Rugged Crossovers, Offroad SUVs, and Luxury SUVs (Jeep Wagoneer S and Grand Wagoneer).
  • Whereas Dodge would be mass market, but sporty-rugged. It focuses mainly on Trucks, Vans, SUVs/Crossovers, and Sports Cars.

Here's what a Dodge lineup for USA could look like:

1. Trucks; Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram 1500, Ram 2500 and above. Possible Dodge Rampage Unibody Pickup
2. Vans; Dodge Promaster and Promaster City
3. Crossovers; Dodge Hornet Successor, and the Dodge Durango.
4. SUVs; Upcoming Dodge Ramcharger SUV (Ram 1500 based)
5. Sports Cars; Dodge Charger (their flagship)
6. Possible; Compact sports car (Dodge Cuda or Dart), Compact Hatchback (Omni), and Compact Roadster.

I feel like if Dodge and Ram were to be unified again, there's a chance they could revive themselves by not losing their identity, while also not interfering with Chrysler and Jeep.

LOL. This actually relates to a few things I talked about lately. Of course the Kinder Chocadoobie Ad with that Humpty Dumpty Man, which is creepy.

Not to mention I've been discussing Thomas the Train Knock offs, such as Tec the Tractor and Zerby Derby. But this Ad literally feels like it was inspired by Thomas with its CGI face.

I'm frustrated with starting FS 26 Mobile. I just started playing and when I got to using the seeder, I couldn't find a place to load the seeds. I assumed just go to the shop and I couyldn't find a place to buy them. I literally had to open another map to use a tutorial (yes, considering I've been playing it for maybe 13 years) to learn to use the seeder, and guess what? You don't have to refill the seeder, it just automatically refills, but charges you when you use it.

That's just ragebait. I get it that if it's a casual game they want to make it simple and more user friendly for a wider range of players. But did they really need to "Kindergaten-ize" the game like that? Like really, they removed having to refill seeds. They might as well just remove the weeds from the fields and make it like FS 14 at this point.

What I hope for Dodge to announce on May 21.

New Lineup:

• A new compact Pony Car would make sense to slot below the Charger. A Dart revival would be the perfect addition. Not like the 2012 reboot, but as a faithful revival to the Dodge Dart Swinger. Or maybe the Barracuda name could be used for this. It would come as both a 2-door and 4-door sedan.
• A new Dodge Hatchback is needed. A Subcompact Dodge Omni, or a Compact Dodge Laser would make sense for a new sporty hatchback. It would make sense for Dodge to have a sporty VW Golf GTI rival.
• A new compact Dodge Crossover based on the STLA Medium Platform would do well too. It would be a successor to the Dodge Hornet and Nitro. Not sure if Dodge should revive the Nitro name, but it's probably not that the name is shattered, but just needs to be used correctly.
• Maybe Dodge could make a sporty midsize crossover similar in dimensions to the Jeep Wagoneer S. This would make sense for the Stealth nameplate.
• Hopefully we can get a word about the next Durango, about when it should be coming out.
• As for an affordable roadster, maybe they could make a compact Miata rival (like the 2007 Demon Concept). Or, maybe Dodge could make a cabrio version of the compact Dart or Barricuda. And/or Dodge could bring back removable tops by adding it back to the Omni, Laser, and Nitro.

But of course, I feel like most Dodge fans are more focused on the underpinnings and engines that will be used in the lineup as opposed to more models. We're hoping that Dodge will actually bring back the V8 Hemi to the Dodge Charger, which will likely be just enough to make the Charger popular.

Another thing I really like in their plans is to remove some unnecessary technology to keep cars more affordable, which is something I strongly support. It would really work for people who have digital fatigue/burnout and have a car that's just a car. It would make Dodge an escapist car brand for those who want a break from the hyperconnected world.

• Removing the radio to lower the costs is a good start. But I'm also hoping that Dodge can try to follow the footsteps of the SLATE Pickup by removing the central touchscreen, and just have buttons for the essentials such as HVAC.
• Dodge could possibly put the backup camera view in the rearview mirror kind of like older car models did to keep that safety feature intact.
• If we can't fully remove the touchscreen, I feel like we can minimize use of it as much as we can.
  • Keep functions that are needed off the screen, such as HVAC, Heated Seats, Lights, etc.
  • Keep functions that would be too complex to achieve with clicks of buttons, and only use the screen only when needed (for Google Maps Navigation, Car Settings, etc)
  • Have a way to cover up the screen when we're not using it.
• Also, having a Bring Your Own Device model where you can plug in your own smartphone or iPad to use it as a touchscreen display for your car if you want to use it.

Here are the things I'm hoping to see Chrysler announce for May 21;

• It's recently been unveiled to dealerships that a compact and affordable Chrysler model is being considered. While the Pronto name suggests it could possibly be a PT Cruiser successor, my hope is that Chrysler makes a compact sedan too. If a compact sedan comes back, my hope is that it will be called the Neon.
• feel like it would make perfect sense if Chrysler make a successor to the Dodge Journey and 2000s Pacifica Crossover. An affordable 3 row crossover is something that really is missing from the automotive market in general, especially in USA. I'm not sure if this is what the new Chrysler C6X crossover will be, but it would make perfect sense to have a 3 row option. Now that the Voyager nameplate is free, it would make sense for Chrysler to use it for this purpose.
• Likely Chrysler will announce a Halcyon concept inspired successor to the Chrysler 300. For a nameplate, I feel like Concorde or Intrepid would make sense. It would be perfect for a family car successor to the 300.
• An offroad minivan does sound like a weird idea, but I feel like it has potential. A Minivan with offroad capability would make the Pacifica more of a capable SUV competitor. It could make a minivan with BOF-like capability without cannibalizing the other Stellantis vehicles (such as the Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer/ upcoming Ramcharger). Not to mention that it would still be a minivan, making it easier for a parking lot than a Chevrolet Tahoe, but with the capability under the hood.

Grey Zone:

• A midsize sedan (Sebring/200 successor) is something I'd be skeptical about. If they were to make a compact, midsize, and full size sedan simultaenously it would be too much competition. I'd say either go compact and full size, or midsize and full size sedans with a compact Pronto hatchback/crossover.
• A convertible model for a midsize or compact sedan (like a 200 cabrio successor) would be a bit unsuitable for the brand. That's something that Dodge will probably make, and where it would make more sense.

What I'm not expecting;

• A Chrysler Body-on-frame SUV because it would create tension with the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Wagoneer, along with the upcoming Ramcharger SUV.
• A Grand Cherokee and Durango competitor likely won't happen either because it would cause cannibalization with the latter. The Offroad Pacifica would make more sense for that position.
• A Crossfire successor is a no. Sports cars should stay exclusive to Dodge.

P.S. I believe Chrysler would be good with a small but simple lineup for its vehicles. I believe Chrysler should follow a 2-2-1 model, where they have 2 sedans, 2 crossovers, and 1 minivan.