RAM's Toyota HiLux rival scrapped! Diesel V6 Dakota ute project cancelled - reports

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RAM's mid-size ute project hits the skids. Credit Deyan Ninov
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
23 Feb 2021
2 min read

RAM's plan to launch a mid-size ute to take on the Toyota HiLux appear to have stalled, with international reports pointing to the Dakota project hitting the skids as part of a cost-cutting drive.

We knew as far back as 2019 that RAM was working on a genuine one-tonne truck to rival the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, with the company's CEO confirming a "metric-tonne mid-size truck solution" was in the works.

Speaking on FCA's quarterly earnings call then, company CEO Mike Manley confirmed the new ute was coming, telling investors it would be a more traditional one-tonne truck than the incoming Jeep Gladiator.

"(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," Manley said.

But that problem now seems like it will remain unsolved, with reports today suggesting the project had been scrapped.

The story, first published by GM Authority, doesn't drill down into the reasoning, but quotes Stellantis (RAM's new parent company) sources as saying the project now wouldn't be pursued.

RAM international is yet to comment, but it would appear the brand won't have a diesel V6-powered HiLux rival after all.

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
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