The drama surrounding the Ram mid-size truck Belvidere 2027 production has been a rollercoaster, and honestly, if you’ve been following the headlines, it’s easy to get confused. One week the plant is dead. The next, it’s the centerpiece of a multi-billion dollar labor deal. Then, suddenly, there’s talk of the truck moving to Ohio.
It is a mess.
But here is the reality as of early 2026: Stellantis has basically bet its relationship with the UAW on this specific project. After a year of "will-they-won't-they" that saw former CEO Carlos Tavares step down under a cloud of criticism, the company has officially recommitted to reopening the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
The Belvidere Comeback is Real (Finally)
For the folks in Belvidere, this isn't just about a vehicle. It's about 1,500 jobs and a town that was left in the lurch when Jeep Cherokee production ended in 2023. The latest word from the company—and the union—is that the plant will roar back to life in 2027.
Wait, I know what you're thinking. Didn't some reports say the truck was going to Toledo?
There was a massive amount of friction in late 2025 where Stellantis floated the idea of moving the Ram mid-sizer to the Toledo Assembly Complex to be built alongside the Jeep Wrangler. The UAW, led by Shawn Fain, didn't just get mad; they filed a mountain of grievances and threatened to shut down production nationwide. It worked. The company blinked. The Ram mid-size truck Belvidere 2027 plan is back on the rails for Illinois, while Toledo is getting its own distinct investments.
What is this thing actually called?
For years, everyone called it the "Metric" or the "Ram 1200." Recently, however, the cat was let out of the bag. We are officially looking at the return of the Ram Dakota.
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It’s a name that carries a lot of weight for anyone who remembers the 90s. The original Dakota was the "just right" truck—bigger than a Ford Ranger but smaller than an F-150. This new iteration for 2027 is aiming for that same sweet spot, but with a tech-heavy twist that the old Dodge guys wouldn't recognize.
The Multi-Energy Gamble
Stellantis is leaning hard into what they call a "multi-energy" strategy. Basically, they don't want to be caught with their pants down if EV sales stall or if gas prices spike. The Belvidere plant is being retooled to handle three distinct flavors of the new Dakota:
- Traditional ICE: A gas-powered version likely featuring the 2.0L Hurricane four-cylinder.
- PHEV: A plug-in hybrid that borrows tech from the Jeep 4xe lineup.
- BEV: A fully electric mid-sizer to compete with the Rivian R2 and electric versions of the Tacoma.
It's a smart play. Sorta.
By building all three on the same line, they can shift production based on what people are actually buying. If everyone decides they still want gas, they just crank out more ICE models. If the EV market catches fire, they’re ready.
Construction and Specs
The 2027 Dakota is expected to ride on the STLA Frame platform. This is a big deal because it means the truck will likely be a true body-on-frame vehicle.
There was a lot of worry that we’d just get a rebranded version of the Ram Rampage—the unibody truck sold in South America. But Americans want to tow things. We want to go off-road without the chassis flexing like a wet noodle. By going with the STLA Frame, Ram is signaling that this truck is meant to fight the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado on equal footing.
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Why 2027 Feels Like a Lifetime Away
The wait is frustrating. The mid-size segment is exploding right now. The Ford Ranger is fresh, the Tacoma is still the king of the hill, and even the Nissan Frontier has found its groove again. Ram is currently the only major player without a "small" truck in the U.S.
The delay comes down to the plant retooling. You can't just flip a switch on a factory that’s been idled for years. Stellantis is spending upwards of $600 million just to get the Belvidere facility up to modern standards. They have to gut the old Jeep lines, install new robotics for the STLA Frame architecture, and train a workforce that has been scattered for over two years.
Pricing and Competition
If this truck launches at $45,000, it’s dead on arrival.
The industry talk suggests a starting price in the high $30,000 range. That's a tough pill to swallow when you consider that a few years ago, you could get a base mid-sizer for twenty-five grand. But in the 2026/2027 economy, $38k is the new $28k.
Ram has to be careful. If they price the Dakota too close to the Ram 1500, people will just buy the big truck. To make this work, the Dakota needs to offer better fuel economy and easier city drivability without sacrificing the "tough" image that defines the brand.
The Local Impact on Belvidere
It's hard to overstate how much the 2027 restart matters to Northern Illinois. When the plant idled, it wasn't just the 1,350 workers who suffered. It was the parts suppliers, the local diners, and the tax base for the schools.
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The Department of Energy actually stepped in with a $335 million grant specifically to help convert this plant for electrification. That federal money is a massive "keep the lights on" incentive for Stellantis. It makes it much harder for the company to back out again, even if the economy takes a dip.
What about the design?
While we haven't seen the final production sheet metal, expect a "baby 1500" look. Think massive LED grilles, the signature "R-A-M" lettering, and an interior that puts the Tacoma's plastic-heavy cabin to shame. Ram has won every interior award in the book lately, and they aren't going to let a mid-size truck break that streak.
What You Should Do Now
If you're in the market for a truck and you're a die-hard Mopar fan, the next 18 months are going to be a test of patience.
- Don't hold your breath for a 2026 release. The "pilot models" (the test versions) aren't even scheduled to roll off the line until early 2027.
- Watch the 2027 RAM 1500 Ramcharger. This is the range-extended EV that uses a gas engine as a generator. If that tech is successful, expect to see a version of it in the Dakota by 2028 or 2029.
- Keep an eye on UAW Local 1268 updates. They are the boots on the ground in Belvidere. If they start talking about "recall notices" for workers, you'll know the 2027 timeline is actually happening.
The Ram mid-size truck Belvidere 2027 is more than just a new vehicle; it's a litmus test for whether a legacy automaker can successfully pivot while keeping its promises to its workers. It's been a long road, but the Dakota is finally coming home.
Actionable Insight: If you're planning a vehicle purchase, wait until the Q1 2027 auto show circuit. That is when the final production specs and official "Dakota" branding for the Belvidere-built truck are expected to be fully revealed to the public, allowing for a direct comparison against the 2027 Tacoma and Ranger.