If you've been asking who owns RAM trucks, here's the direct answer: RAM is owned by Stellantis, a Dutch-registered multinational automotive group. Stellantis was formed in January 2021 through a merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and France's PSA Group. RAM operates as a standalone brand within Stellantis's North American division.
Who Owns RAM Trucks Right Now
The short answer: Stellantis owns RAM. If you've been calling them Dodge RAMs out of habit, that hasn't been technically accurate since 2009 though the confusion is completely understandable given that the two brands shared the same name for nearly 30 years.
RAM trucks are not manufactured or sold by Dodge. They're not a trim level or a sub-brand of Dodge. RAM is its own separate brand, with its own lineup, its own identity, and its own place within the larger Stellantis corporate structure.
Think of it the way you might think about GMC and Chevrolet. Both sit under General Motors, but you wouldn't call a GMC Sierra a "Chevy" they're distinct brands that share infrastructure. The same logic applies to RAM and Dodge under Stellantis.
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What Is Stellantis and Why Does It Matter for RAM?
Stellantis is one of the largest automakers in the world by vehicle volume. It was formed in January 2021 when FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) merged with Groupe PSA, the French group behind Peugeot and Citroën.
The company is registered in the Netherlands and publicly traded on three exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Euronext Milan, and Euronext Paris. There's no single majority owner it's a publicly held company with several significant institutional and family shareholders.
Brands under the Stellantis umbrella include: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Vauxhall, DS Automobiles, Lancia, and Abarth. That's a wide range everything from American trucks to Italian sports cars to European hatchbacks.
What's often overlooked is that the name "Stellantis" itself comes from the Latin "stello," meaning to brighten with stars. Most consumers will never encounter the Stellantis name directly you buy a RAM, not a Stellantis.
Who Are the Major Shareholders of Stellantis?
If someone is asking "who owns RAM" and really means who ultimately controls the money behind it here's what is publicly known about Stellantis ownership:
Exor N.V. — the investment holding company of the Agnelli family (known for founding Fiat in Italy) — is among the largest single shareholders.
FFP (Établissements Peugeot Frères) — the Peugeot family holding company also holds a significant stake.
Dongfeng Motor Group — a Chinese state-owned automaker held a stake following PSA's merger, though its position has changed over time.
The remainder is held by institutional investors and public shareholders worldwide. No single entity holds a majority controlling stake. Stellantis is a publicly listed company, so its ownership structure shifts over time with market activity.
The Full RAM Ownership Timeline
Understanding who owns RAM today requires following a fairly long chain of corporate changes. Here's how it unfolded:
|
Period |
Who Owned RAM |
|
1981 – 2009 |
Dodge (division of Chrysler Corporation, later DaimlerChrysler, then Chrysler LLC) |
|
2009 – 2014 |
RAM splits from Dodge; becomes standalone brand under Chrysler Group LLC (partly owned by Fiat) |
|
2014 – 2021 |
Chrysler Group LLC renamed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA); RAM operates within FCA |
|
2021 – Present |
FCA merges with France's PSA Group to form Stellantis; RAM is now a Stellantis brand |
RAM's Origins Under Dodge (1981–2009)
The RAM name first appeared on Dodge trucks in 1981. For the next 28 years, if you bought a RAM pickup, the hood badge said "Dodge." The trucks were officially called Dodge RAM the brand was Dodge, and RAM was effectively a model name or series name within that brand.
Chrysler owned Dodge during this entire period. It went through a few corporate twists itself a merger with Daimler (creating DaimlerChrysler from 1998 to 2007) and then a sale to private equity before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009.
The 2009 Brand Split: RAM Becomes Its Own Thing
Chrysler's bankruptcy in 2009 triggered a significant restructuring. Fiat Group stepped in, acquiring a stake in the newly reorganized Chrysler Group LLC. Under new leadership — including Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne the decision was made to separate the truck business from the Dodge brand entirely.
The reasoning was strategic. Dodge had built a strong reputation for performance cars (the Charger, the Challenger). Keeping trucks lumped in with that identity wasn't serving either side well. Giving trucks their own brand RAM meant both could compete more directly in their respective segments.
From 2009–2010 onward, trucks came off the line badged purely as RAM. No more "Dodge RAM." If you see a pre-2010 RAM with the Dodge name on it, that's simply when it was built.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) 2014 to 2021
By 2014, Fiat had gained full ownership of Chrysler and renamed the combined entity Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, or FCA. RAM sat within FCA as one of its North American brands alongside Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler.
This period is important because it's where a lot of the confusion about "Is RAM American-owned?" starts. Technically, an Italian company (Fiat) was the parent at this point. Though RAM trucks were still designed and built primarily in the United States and Mexico, the corporate ownership was Italian-American.
Stellantis Takes Over January 2021 to Present
In January 2021, FCA merged with France's PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroën, Opel). The resulting company was named Stellantis. RAM became a Stellantis brand at that point, which is exactly where it sits today.
Operationally, RAM continues to run as a standalone North American truck brand. The Stellantis merger didn't change what RAM builds or how it's positioned. It mainly changed what's at the top of the corporate org chart.
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RAM vs. Dodge: Same Company, Different Brands
Both RAM and Dodge are Stellantis brands. They share certain manufacturing infrastructure, some platforms, and operate through overlapping dealership networks. But they are separate brands with separate identities.
Dodge focuses on performance cars and SUVs the Charger, the Challenger, the Durango. RAM focuses exclusively on trucks and commercial vehicles the RAM 1500, RAM 2500, RAM 3500, and the ProMaster van lineup.In practice, this separation matters when it comes to research, development, and marketing spend.
Each brand can now go deep in its segment rather than trying to be all things to all buyers. Whether the split has "worked" commercially is a separate discussion but the structure is clear.
Where Are RAM Trucks Built?
Manufacturing location and corporate ownership are two different things and they're often confused.
Here's what is publicly documented:
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Michigan, USA): Produces the RAM 1500 (Quad Cab and Crew Cab configurations).
Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant (Saltillo, Mexico): Produces RAM 2500 through 5500 Heavy Duty models.
The trucks are designed in the United States, and the flagship light-duty model (RAM 1500) is assembled there. The corporate owner Stellantis is a Netherlands-registered multinational. Both facts are true simultaneously.
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Summary
RAM Trucks is owned by Stellantis a publicly traded multinational formed in 2021. RAM began as a Dodge nameplate in 1981, split into its own brand in 2009, passed through FCA ownership, and landed under Stellantis when FCA merged with PSA Group. Dodge and RAM are both Stellantis brands today, but they are distinct separate identities, separate lineups, same corporate roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RAM a Dodge?
No. RAM was once a Dodge nameplate (called "Dodge RAM") but became a standalone brand in 2009. Today, RAM and Dodge are separate brands, both owned by Stellantis.
Is RAM American-owned?
Not in a simple sense. RAM is owned by Stellantis, a Dutch-registered multinational. Key trucks are assembled in Michigan, USA. Corporate ownership is international; manufacturing is primarily North American.
Did Fiat own RAM trucks?
Effectively, yes. Fiat acquired Chrysler (RAM's parent at the time) from 2009 and formed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) by 2014. FCA then became Stellantis in 2021.
Is it still called Dodge RAM?
Trucks built from 2010 onward carry only the RAM badge. Pre-2010 trucks may say "Dodge RAM." The Dodge name was dropped when RAM became a standalone brand.
Who are RAM's main competitors?
In the U.S. full-size truck segment: Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra are the primary competitors. Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan also compete in the same category.
