Next Ram 1500 pickup could spawn SUV

Ram says it has the opportunity to build a 1500-based SUV.

Rumors of a large SUV based on the next generation of Ram's 1500 pickup truck have resurfaced.

"You have the opportunity with a new frame for the next-generation Ram," said Jeep and Ram boss Mike Manley in a recent interview with USA Today. "You have the opportunity to take a large SUV off of it because we already have a very, very capable frame today that is going to be upgraded."

If approved, the 1500-based SUV will fight in the same segment as the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon twins and the Ford Expedition. However, it will most likely arrive as a Jeep, a Dodge, or a Chrysler. That means it won't be part of the Ram lineup, and it won't share any styling cues with the next 1500 truck.

Analysts encourage Ram parent company Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles to build a SUV based on the 1500. They argue that the carmaker will benefit from economies of scale, and that it will make more money because trucks and SUVs are generally high-profit vehicles.

The next-generation Ram 1500 is expected to make its official debut during the 2018 edition of the Detroit Auto Show. If the SUV gets the green light for production, we'll likely see it in the metal for the first time a couple of months after the Detroit show. Until then, stay tuned for more details on this developing story.

Note: Ram 1500 HFE pictured. Photos by Andrew Ganz.