r/whatifcars

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.

Would Ford have actually done something with the brand other than just barely re-bodied Ford products? What kind of company would you like to have seen Mercury become?