Ram Announces 1500 Classic Discontinued In Canada

On April 26^th, Stellantis released the following statement on their Canadian media site:

Ram has discontinued production of the Ram 1500 Classic for the Canadian market. Current inventory will sell through 2024. Ram 1500 Classic production will continue for the United States and Mexico. In Canada, Ram will continue to offer the Ram 1500, Ram Heavy Duty , Ram Chassis Cab and Ram ProMaster.

We asked Stellantis Canada for comment on the discontinuation of the Ram 1500 Classic and were told they have nothing further to add to the statement.

The Ram 1500 Classic was introduced for the 2019 model year to run alongside the all-new DT platform Ram 1500. A continuation of the DS platform Ram 1500 first introduced for the 2009 model year, the Classic was kept on to offer a lower cost of entry into the full-sized truck segment than the DT platform Ram 1500.

Lower incentives and higher financing rates are definitely not helping, as combined with higher MSRPs, the Classic isn’t the bargain that it was back in 2019. The Ram 1500 Classic now seems to be facing a surplus issue in Canada. A review of listings on Autotrader.ca reveals the availability of more than 5,600 new units up for sale across the country. This substantial inventory reflects a significant mismatch between supply and demand in a softening Canadian economy.

Interestingly, no 2024 Ram Classics have been produced for Canada, with the latest available models being 2023 model-year trucks. This early termination in the Canadian market predates the expected phase-out of the Ram 1500 Classic later this year.

What is likely making matters worse is that over the past few months, we have been contacted by multiple Canadian CDJR dealers under the condition of anonymity. These dealers have said they have stopped ordering vehicles for stock due to poor incentive support and ever-increasing MSRPs. These same dealers have said it would take them years to move what they currently have on the lots due to slow turn rates.

If you’re in Canada and looking for a new Ram 1500 Classic, now might be the time to do it, while there is a lot of inventory to choose from. You could probably negotiate a pretty sweet deal, too.