TBH, it makes more sense for Ram to enter the compact segment rather than the mid-size.
Tacoma and GM twins are already established names, and even if they brought back Dakota’s nameplate, the years of discontinuation will have them trying to re-establish the fan base and only the old folks will be familiar.
Whereas, the compact segment is a few years old and is targeted for the younger generation. I think they will have more chances against Maverick and Santa Cruz.
SLOW CLAP
CDJR has a high Margin entry already in the mid-market on the lot. For a Dakota to be viable it would somehow have to be better than brand new Tacoma, GMC, Chevy, and refreshed Ranger, not cannibalize Gladiator and 1500 sales, while payback the implementation and development cost.
Honestly the only way I think it works is if instead of taking on the BOF market it takes on the Honda Lifestyle market instead on the STLA large, build point with the WL75, can be EV, ICE, or PHEV. Has the powertrain running the correct direction versus the Honda.
If they can find a Manufacturing site (Mexico?) and can beat the Toyota and Subaru to market it has a good chance given the current capacity of the Maverick and Korean.