> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://torquecafe.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ram ‘absolutely’ interested in taking on Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux in Australia
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/car-news-2026-ram-dakota-australian-interest/
- Published: 2026-09-17T23:00:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T23:00:29.000Z
- Description: The Ram Dakota is shaping up to be the pickup specialist’s most likely candidate for a berth in our popular ute market.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, 4x4 & Adventure

Australia’s ute market is one of the most lucrative in the world, being the second-largest sales segment in the new-car space, behind only medium SUVs.

In the past few years, unexpected brands such as Kia, Chery and BYD have joined – or are joining – the sales race, and it seems Ram is still interested in taking a piece of the action.

Rumours of a mid-sized Ram pickup have circulated for years, and while it has launched region-specific models such as the [Rampage](https://torquecafe.com/ram-news-rampage-europe-debut-not-for-australia/) and [Dakota (the latter based on the Chinese Changan F70)](https://torquecafe.com/ram-dakota-unveiled-south-america/) in South America, it’s yet to officially launch one in North America.

That’s set to change in 2028, when the Dakota name will return to the local market to take on the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, ending a 17-year hiatus for Ram in the ‘mid-sized’ pickup segment.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/ram-dakota-nightfall-concept-2.jpg)

Ram Dakota Nightfall

While Ram is popular in Australia for its ‘full-sized’ pickups – the 1500, 2500 and 3500 – the brand lacks other product offerings, but has once again said it’s interested in adding a mid-sized ute to its local portfolio, if one is available.

“I do see a lot of mid-sized trucks here and it looks like there's a market for it,” said Head of Ram International Product and Sales, Amy Augustine. 

“Jeff \[Barber, Ram Trucks Australia general manager) and I are still discussing future products here, but I do see that there is a market for it here.”

When asked if the Dakota – or whatever the ute may be named – would be a good fit for Australia, Barber responded, “absolutely”.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/2026-ram-dakota-3--1-.jpg)

Latin American market Ram Dakota

[In June](https://torquecafe.com/rams-ranger-hilux-rival-a-great-fit-for-australia-if-it-comes/), a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson said the brand had “our hand up for a mid-size pickup from the moment the rumours began years ago”.

“At the moment, there is not one available to us. If one were to become available to us, we would absolutely have our hand up for that.

“We think a mid-size Ram would be a great fit for the Ram Trucks Australia portfolio. We have the dealer network, we know the customers, we know it will look great alongside our full-size pickups. But what you've seen reported so far overseas are region specific models.”

Like most of its similarly sized rivals, it’s expected the Ram Dakota will be powered by a four-cylinder or V6 engine, with a hybrid powertrain to potentially find its way into the mix too.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/2025-ram-1500-rebel-1.jpg)

Ram 1500 Rebel

The Dakota will be based on a body-on-frame platform, something which underpins the Wrangler and Gladiator made in the same Toledo, Ohio facility, suggesting the new model could be related to the Jeeps - though it could also move to an all new architecture.

If the new Ram ute was based on the Jeep Gladiator, engine options include a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 petrol, and a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, though the latter was dropped from the lineup in late 2023 due to poor demand globally.

Given the success of the 1500 locally – which has to be converted from left- to right-hand drive in Melbourne – Ram may have to build the new model in right-hand drive from the factory to give it a chance against its Thailand-sourced rivals in Australia.