Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Report: Chrysler developing TR Ram Life Style Truck to compete with Honda Ridgeline

Does the world need a competitor to the Honda Ridgeline? While sales figures of Honda's half-truck would lead us to believe consumers aren't clamoring for such a vehicle (Honda only sold 16,142 Ridgelines in 2010, barely more than the 13,047 Dakota's Dodge moved), recent reports indicate that Chrysler seems to think otherwise.

We've known for some time that Dodge was considering a small urban-style pickup – ever since it showed off the Rampage Concept (shown above) at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show and then mentioned it again in Chrysler's rambling five-year plan announced in 2009 – but talk of the so-called Lifestyle Pickup had cooled off... until now.

According to wheels.ca, Chrysler suppliers were recently briefed on the automaker's future product plans, and a replacement for the unloved Dakota is on the docket. It's thought that Chrysler may build the vehicle in Windsor, Ontario atop its minivan platform, which lends credence to the Ridgeline comparison.

We have to wonder if the crossover platform employed by the latest (and very well-received) Durango might be a better bet, but we'll surely reserve judgement until something more concrete than these rumors begin to surface. We're also curious as to whether the small pickup would wear a Dodge or Ram badge. Stay tuned for more...

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2006-...oncept/#609445

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/18/c...ete-with-hond/

LexFather

Great idea, lets compete in a market no one likes. The Ridgeline has been a complete sales flop and a disaster.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

RAM has a lot more ***** than Honda and a very loyal truck-buying base, so I'd like to see what they can do here. Ridgeline is fail but I can see Chrysler pulling it off.

Still rumblings about a Scion version of the Toyota ABAT concept, too:

IS-SV

Anything can look better than Ridgeline, so maybe they can sell a few more. But having the most useless truck on the block isn't as attractive these days.

feetsies

Seriously. Why even waste the money on R&D for this?

jadu

iTrader: (42)

^^^ Agreed.

IS-SV

Interesting that a company emerging from bankruptcy can decide to focus on these kinds of markets.

caddyowner

Automakers still feel that a midsize pickup will sell in respectable numbers if the MPG is right.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Agreed. The ball is definitely in the automakers court in that case. If someone would finally just step up and offer a diesel or hybrid or turbo 4/6 all while retaining truck capabilities then I don't see why not. The next Chevy Colorado looks promising in the styling department, no word on powertrains yet. Ford is not bringing back the Ranger as the new global Ranger debuts, but Frontier, Tacoma, and Ridgeline are still around. Of course with the F-150 able to get 22-23mpg a midsize pickup needs to be able to get high 20s to 30s to make this segment venture worth while.