From the time Ford unveiled the all-new version of the Ranger, numerous reports sprouted talking about Ram’s possible re-entry into the midsize truck segment. While the Jeep Gladiator falls in the midsize category, its styling is not in line with its would-be competitors in the segment.
This means that the automaker has not had a representative midsize truck model since it discontinued the Dodge Dakota a decade ago, nearly 25 years after it first went on sale. The model was rumored to being revived, but if a recent article published by GM Authority is to be believed, it looks like this may no longer be the case.
GM Authority said “sources from within Stellantis” are hinting the Dakota revival project has been canceled. Stellantis has not released a response to the reports, though, so it is still unclear what will happen to the would-be reborn Dakota.
It is likely Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares will review the project and decide whether it will pursue the design and production of a new Dakota truck or stick with other models and skip the midsize truck segment.
Another possible reason for the shelving of the Dakota project is the transition to the development of electric vehicles, considering that both General Motors and Ford recently announced their electrification plans in the near future.
If Ram and the rest of Stellantis Group end up closing the door on a possible Dakota return, customers will have to suit themselves with other equally competitive midsize trucks such as the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier.
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