RAM's answer to the Toyota HiLux shapes up

RAM Trucks has re-emphasised its commitment to a mid-size utility to do battle with the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief executive Mike Manley told reporters during an earnings call at the weekend that RAM is “focused on solving a metric-ton mid-size truck solution for us because it's a big part of the portfolio and growth we want to achieve”.

The sticking point, according to Manley, is how to best execute the pick-up with RAM’s available platforms.

While Jeep has the new Gladiator bound for Australia later this year, RAM believes its mid-size offering will be markedly different and, as such, will require different underpinnings.

"Being able to find a cost-effective platform in a region where we can build it with low cost and it still being applicable in the market is what they're struggling with at the moment," Manley said.

"I want that problem solved, frankly, because it's a clear hole in our portfolio. It will not be filled by Gladiator because Gladiator is a very, very different mission. Trust me, they're focused on it. We need to get it fixed soon."

There is speculation the RAM and the Jeep would be built at the same Ohio plant, which would potentially facilitate the car-maker’s plans to build both left- and right-hand drive versions of the new pick-up.

The mid-size RAM was first confirmed by Fiat Chrysler in mid-2018 as part of its five-year strategy. At the time, officials said the newcomer would be targeted at “every global market” – not simply the US – and would be badged as both a RAM or a Fiat.

FCA has forecast its new HiLux and Ranger competitor will push RAM’s global sales to one million units by 2022, by which time it expects to have overtaken Chevrolet as North America’s number two commercial vehicle brand.

There’s speculation FCA could revive the RAM Dakota name last seen in 2011 for the US market.

RAM already offers big US pick-ups in Australia in the form of the RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 models, which are imported from the US then converted from left- to right-hand drive by the Walkinshaw Group for American Special Vehicles (ASV), which is owned by FCA’s New Zealand distributor Ateco Group.