RAM News

In what seems to be an obvious end-game as part of its team-up with Leapmotor, Stellantis could be set to lean on its Chinese partner for hybrid technology to bolster its other brands in Europe. Ultimately, according to a new report from Autocar, this will mean the range extender hybrid tech from Leapmotor’s C10 and B10 will be deployed in at least Peugeots and Fiats. Autocar quotes Leapmotor’s international CEO Tianshu Xin as saying the company is “exploring the possibilities” to use range extender hybrid tech in other Stellantis brands, as part of the group finding “synergies by using each other's technology.” The international boss also earmarked future platform sharing as the direction in which the partnership was moving. Stelllantis, which was born from a merger between the America-focused Fiat Chrysler and Euro-focused PSA Group, has had a disparate array of products built for an array of different markets on a range of platforms which didn’t start out with a lot of commonality between them. The brands under the group include Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. While this initially made it challenging for the group, it has gradually begun to rationalize its platforms into a handful to be used across its global range. For passenger cars this includes the 'STLA' small, medium, and large architecture, 4x4s and utes ride on the SLTA Frame platform. Leapmotor, which is 19.99 per cent owned by Stellantis, uses a separate 'LEAP' architecture for its vehicles, developed separately from Stellantis in China. Leapmotor is now also building cars in Europe Mr Xin’s comments on future platform sharing seems to indicate there could be future cars from European brands on the LEAP platform, or future Leapmotor cars underpinned by an STLA platform. Either way, Leapmotor’s range-extender hybrid technology solves a problem for Stellantis in rolling out a consistent range of hybrids in emissions-sensitive markets, or potentially even for the American market where EVs are floundering thanks to the removal of incentives. For Australia, it could lead to a range of appealing range-extender hybrids wearing a wider array of badges, whether they are Fiats, Peugeots or even Jeeps. Jeep in particular is embattled in Australia, down a whopping 33.3 per cent until the end of 2025, moving just 1585 units for the year. Its range of products has been cut down significantly, with the brand discontinuing the new-generation (and significantly more expensive) Grand Cherokee after a slow sales run. This strips its range down to just the Wrangler off-roader and its related Gladiator ute, as well as the Euro-sourced Avenger electric compact SUV and outgoing previous-generation Compass mid-sizer. Peugeot is also embattled in Australia, having taken a 28.8 per cent sales hit over the course of 2025. It moved just 1350 units for the year, as it faces stiff competition from rivals new and old. Even Leapmotor’s fledgling effort in the Australian market has struggled to find traction. The brand offered the mid-size C10 in both EV and range-extender hybrid forms, and yet managed to sell 644 new vehicles over the course of the year. In comparison, its most direct rival, Geely and its EX-5 and Starray EM-i hybrid spin-off, moved over 5000 units in the same period. Next for Leapmotor’s Australian efforts is its B10 small SUV, initially in electric and later hybrid form. Internationally, the brand has also debuted the C16 large SUV and A10 crossover in China, as well as the B05 Golf-sized hatchback in Europe.

Ram has confirmed the return of its most powerful variant in the Ram 1500 range, the SRT TRX.

A Ram-badged SUV is in the works, and here is what it could look like.

Leading US ute brand Ram has put out a safety recall for some of its best-selling vehicles. Ram has issued a recall for its 2025 model year 1500 DT, 2500 DJ and 3500 D2 full-size pick-ups, following a software issue on some units causing safety system warnings not to display.  There are more than 1000 units affected by the issue, as per a Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts recall notice.  According to the recall notice, the instrument panel cluster may fail to illuminate the visual warnings for the brake system lights, gear selection indicators and other critical safety information.  The notice goes on to state a loss of safety system warnings whilst driving could increase the risk of accident without prior warning, causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.  The recall notice says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted in writing requesting they contact a Ram dealer to have the vehicle inspected and the work carried out for free.  The Ram 1500 is the best-selling full-size pick-up in Australia, with more than 2500 sales so far in 2025.  This is more than the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, which are two of the best-selling vehicles in the full-size pick-ups’ native North American market.  This is not the only recall notice currently out for the Ram brand, with the Ram 1500 DS impacted by an airbag inflator issue.  There are six units affected by the issue, all built in 2019. A recall notice reads a manufacturing defect may cause the left-side curtain airbag inflators to unexpectedly rupture. According to the notice, if the airbag inflator ruptures, compressed gas and metal fragments may be propelled through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or death.   Ram 1500 undergoes the same extensive remanufacturing process in Australia as many of its other North American rivals, which has coincided with several recall issues popping up in recent times. The rivalling ford F-150 has been subject to several recall notices recently, and slapped with multiple stop-sales orders due to compliance issues.  Most recently, the F-150 was part of a recall relating to an ARB driving light accessory which could catch fire. The ARB Solis lights writing harness was subject to corrosion consequent of moisture entering and subsequently generating excessive heat, leading to vehicle fire. 

ANCAP turns gaze to big American pick-ups on Australian roads.

Ram's ute Rampage!

Jeep out, Ram SUV in at Stellantis?

Ram Trucks Australia (RTA) has released retail pricing for its Heavy Duty (HD) range of full-sized trucks, and for once, despite improvements across the board, they have remained the same as before.

It’s been 10 months since former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares left the company and now he claims the multinational carmaker giant could face a potential breakup.

The newest automotive engineering facility in the country is Walkinshaw’s huge south-east Melbourne ‘super site’, which has just been completed, according to the company. The facility will house production lines set to continue the company's work converting full-size American pick-ups like the Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra to Australian-spec right-hand drive. “Our new Walkinshaw Automotive Group super site is finally finished and we have begun slowly moving in!” said Ryan Walkinshaw in a post on Facebook. Ryan Walkinshaw, whose father Tom Walkinshaw was a key architect in creating fast Holdens wearing his own name and the HSV badge, has continued leading what is now Walkinshaw Group in the automotive engineering and development space. Walkinshaw says the 100,000 square metre facility will “house up to 1500 employees”, and be “capable of manufacturing 20,000+ vehicles a year for Australia”.  “It’s one of the top-five largest manufacturing facilities in all of Australia, home to the most advanced engineering centre in the country, six-plus production lines and our Supercars championship racing team Walkinshaw Andretti United. “Proud to be investing and committing our business to a long future here in Melbourne.” This morning, Ram Trucks Australia confirmed it is moving into its new home, securing “the jobs of more than 270 factory workers, warehouse staff, quality inspectors and engineers”. Production is due to kick off in November for the Ram 1500 at the new site, though neither Walkinshaw nor Ram confirmed how many production lines will be set for the American brand. Toyota and Chevrolet are yet to confirm the move into the new Walkinshaw facility at time of publication.