Following rumors that broke late last month, Fiat will move forward with a plan to create a separate Ram brand within Chrysler ’s Dodge division. In addition to the new Ram brand plan, Fiat has also decided to rush Chrysler’s first Fiat-based model to market by 2011.
According to Automotive News, Fiat will reveal its new plans for Chrysler to the United States government this week.
Under Fiat’s plan for the Ram brand, all of Dodge ’s truck offering will be moved to the new division. That shift will include vehicles like the Dakota pickup truck, but could also include SUV models, such as the upcoming Dodge Durango .
The decision to move Dodge’s truck offerings to a new Ram brand will clear the way for Fiat to transform the Dodge brand into a performance car division, similar to the Italian automaker’s Alfa Rome brand. Additionally, the separation will make the sale of Dodge’s truck operation much easier, should the need arise down the road.
It remains unclear what Fiat-based Chrysler model will be launched in 2011, but it will be in addition to the Fiat 500, set to launch next year.
