The history of RAM Trucks spans nearly a century, from the legacy of the Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers to the legendary Dodge Power Wagon and HEMI-powered RAM pickups.
The Ram name was first used in 1981 on a newly redesigned Ram and Power Ram. The first generation of Dodge Ram Trucks were upgraded versions of the previous Dodge D-Series pickups that had been introduced in 1972. The first generation Dodge Rams were different from the Dodge Trucks D-Series in that they had larger wraparound tail lamps, single rectangular headlamps, and squared off body lines.
Ram Trucks are full-size pickup trucks manufactured by Chrysler Group LLC. In late 2010 the Dodge Trucks started to be sold under the Ram Trucks brand, where previously it had been sold in the Dodge lineup. Ram Trucks was formerly Dodge Ram.
The iconic ram hood ornament was proudly displayed on every Dodge vehicle produced from 1932 to 1954, and is what the Ram truck was named for. When the engineers read that the ram was the 'master of the trail and not afraid of even the wildest of animals,' they became enthusiastic about the symbol which was designed in 1931 by Avard T. Fairbanks, sculptor and University of Michigan art professor. Dodge trucks and cars featured the stylized ram imagery until 2010, when the ram became the exclusive symbol for RAM Trucks. The Ram is now displayed above the grill on all Ram Trucks.
Ram trucks have received many awards including Motor Trend Magazine's Truck of the Year award four times:
1994 Truck of the Year - Second-Generation Ram
2003 Truck of the Year - Third-Generation Ram Heavy Duty
2010 Truck of the Year - Fourth-Generation Ram Heavy Duty
2013 Truck of the Year - Ram 1500
The Dodge brand now consists of the Dodge car brand and Ram Trucks. The reorganization which started to happen in 2009 and created the Ram brand for trucks with the plan for the Ram Trucks brand to move into the commercial truck arena.
Americans are accustomed to Dodge Trucks and the Dodge Ram pickup name because it has been around since 1981. Chrysler Group LLC has worked to separate Ram from Dodge, but many Americans still think of Dodge when they see the Ram Trucks logo. It may take a long time to change the way Americans talk about Dodge and Ram.