Ram Trucks Q&A: Who Makes Them, Reliability, Ownership & More

If you’re a truck enthusiast in Belle Fourche, SD or just curious about the Ram brand, you probably have a few questions. At Wareing CDJR, we often hear queries like “Who makes Ram trucks?” or “How long do Ram trucks last?” from local drivers. In this blog post, we’ll answer 7 common questions about Ram trucks. Our aim is to give you clear, helpful info about the Ram brand. Whether you’re researching a new Ram truck for your driveway or simply want to learn more about Ram, we’ve got you covered!

Who makes Ram trucks?

Ram trucks are made by the Ram Trucks division of Stellantis. Stellantis is a major global automaker (formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group) that owns the Ram brand. If the name Stellantis doesn’t ring a bell, you might remember Chrysler or Dodge. Ram was actually part of the Dodge brand until 2009. In 2009, the company decided to spin-off Ram as its own dedicated truck brand. This means the same folks who built the legendary “Dodge Ram” pickups years ago are still building Ram trucks today, just under the standalone Ram name. In short, Ram trucks are manufactured by Ram (as a separate brand) under the Stellantis umbrella, alongside other brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler.

Are Ram trucks reliable?

Yes – Ram trucks are considered very reliable these days. Ram has made huge strides in engineering and build quality, and it shows. In fact, Ram was the highest-ranked brand in the J.D. Power 2024 Initial Quality Study, meaning Ram owners reported fewer problems with their new trucks than owners of any other brand. That’s a big deal for reliability and speaks to how well-built Ram trucks are right off the factory floor.

They also score extremely well in long-term satisfaction. For example, the Ram 1500 earned a Quality & Reliability score of 88 out of 100 in recent J.D. Power evaluations—one of the best in its class. Add to that the proven components (like the 5.7L HEMI V8), and it’s clear Ram takes dependability seriously.

Ram backs that confidence with strong warranty coverage: 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for gas models and an extended 5-year/100,000-mile warranty on diesel trucks. And with average yearly repair costs lower than many competitors (around $691 for a Ram 1500), they’re affordable to keep running strong. All in all, you can count on a Ram truck to be a tough, long-lasting vehicle—as long as you keep up with regular maintenance.

Who owns Ram trucks?

Ram Trucks is owned by Stellantis. Stellantis is the parent company that owns the Ram brand (along with Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler). This might sound new, but it’s essentially the continuation of Ram’s old parent company under a different name. Here’s the scoop: Ram used to be under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). In 2021, FCA merged with the PSA Group (a European automaker) to form Stellantis. So today, Stellantis owns Ram Trucks. For the everyday truck buyer, this doesn’t change much – it just means that Ram is backed by one of the largest automakers in the world. Stellantis provides the resources and global reach, while Ram continues to do what it does best: build awesome trucks.

Where are Ram trucks made?

Ram trucks are made in the United States and Mexico (and a few other places for certain models). The Ram brand has multiple production facilities. Here’s a quick rundown:

• United States: Many Ram trucks are built in Michigan. For example, the newest generation Ram 1500 is assembled at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Also, the older generation Ram 1500 Classic is built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan.
• Mexico: Heavy-duty Ram pickups (like the Ram 2500/3500 series) are assembled at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Saltillo, Mexico. Interestingly, the Ram 1500 Classic is also produced in Saltillo, in addition to the Michigan plant.

Those are the primary locations for the Ram trucks you’ll find in North America. (Ram also produces some trucks and vans overseas for international markets. For instance, a Ram plant in Turkey builds the ProMaster City van for Europe—but the models you see at our Belle Fourche dealership are mostly from the USA or Mexico.) The key takeaway is that Ram has state-of-the-art factories both in the U.S. and in Mexico, ensuring a high level of quality no matter where your truck is built.

How long do Ram trucks last?

Ram trucks can last a very long time – easily 200,000 miles or more with proper care. These trucks are built to be workhorses, and many owners report their Rams going strong for well over a decade. On average, a Ram 1500 pickup can run between 200,000 to 300,000 miles in its lifetime. In terms of years, that’s roughly 15–20 years of use for the average driver!

Of course, reaching that kind of longevity means you’ll need to maintain your truck: regular oil changes, tune-ups, fixing any small issues before they become big ones, and so on. The good news is that Rams are relatively affordable to maintain, and don’t tend to have any outrageous upkeep costs. In fact, one study noted the average annual repair cost for a Ram 1500 is about $691, which is a bit less than the yearly upkeep for similar Ford or Chevy trucks. So, with reasonable maintenance and care, you can expect your Ram to serve you well for many years and many miles. We’ve seen plenty of high-mileage Ram trucks on the road around South Dakota, which is a testament to their durability.

Does Ram only make trucks?

Ram is primarily a truck brand, but they also make vans – and nothing else. Unlike brands that have a mix of cars, SUVs, and trucks, Ram sticks to pickups and commercial vehicles. The lineup is mostly the Ram pickup trucks (1500, 2500, 3500, and larger chassis cab models), which cover light-duty and heavy-duty needs.

Aside from those trucks, Ram also produces a couple of cargo vans: the Ram ProMaster (a full-size van often used for businesses, deliveries, or upfitting into campers) and the Ram ProMaster City (a smaller van). These vans are considered “commercial vehicles,” which fits Ram’s focus. You won’t find a Ram sports car or a Ram sedan – those types of vehicles are handled by other brands like Dodge and Chrysler. Ram’s identity is all about trucks, and they do trucks (and work vans) extremely well!

We hope this Q&A cleared up your questions about Ram trucks! If you’re in the market for a Ram in the Belle Fourche area, feel free to reach out or swing by Wareing CDJR. Our team is always here to share our Ram expertise and help you find the perfect truck. You can also browse our current Ram truck inventory in Belle Fourche, SD to see what’s available. Ram trucks offer an awesome blend of power, reliability, and longevity – and we’re excited to help you get behind the wheel of your very own Ram. Happy driving!