Ram Teases Its New Rampage Compact Pickup For South America

It appears that Stellantis operations in Brazil have matured to the point that they are having a serious impact on product development. I have been informed by a fellow site contributor that US trade laws make automobile importing from Brazil almost impossible. Couple that with the likelihood that the platform used for this Ram Rampage will be phased out in North American factories, the lack of a manufacturing site capable of building this truck will or does not exist. Conclusion, this excellent and likely very marketable compact truck will never come stateside. Too bad.
This established, I tentatively state, what a shame. Hopefully Ram has serious development underway for both a compact and mid-size pickup or folks can charge them with the neglectful operation of a major Stellantis division. Seriously, most agree there is a sound business case for both and the heal dragging is questionable at best. I’d call for market testing of a few of these in our facilities and if possible, in real life settings. Can’t hurt.
Getting back to Brazil, it’s time our people up North take them a bit more seriously, show them more respect and do more of what Ram has done with the Renegade, let them develop in a more timely and usable way, cooperatively, products that reach both our markets in spite of trade barriers. These guys are ready for “Prime Time”. The Rampage gives endorsement to that contention.

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I believe this is the 2nd model developed in Brazil to have been approved by the headquarters of the American brands to be developed. The 1st was the Jeep Commander.
The great reality is that if there is not some kind of trade agreement between countries currently, it is practically impossible to market certain products competitively, since due to internal protectionism, the highest possible tax rate will be applied. Brazil, for example, taxes vehicles imported outside Mercosur and Mexico at 35%. This makes imported vehicles uncompetitive.
I believe this is the last Stellantis model to be developed on the Small-Wide 4x4 platform. Most likely, new designs will be based on some of the STLA platforms due to the increasing demand for electrification. The only way for this vehicle to be marketed in the United States would be with a possible Mexican production, since the platform is the same used by Compass.
Considering sales of the Maverick and Santa Cruz, models that Stellantis reverse-engineered in Brazil for the development of this RAM pickup truck, I believe there would be relative demand if it were truly marketed locally.

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