Ram did a smart thing when prepping for its fifth-generation Ram 1500 to enter the hot half-ton U.S. marketplace. Not only did it create its most advanced and lightest half-ton pickup truck for the 2019 model year, but it also upgraded a new Michigan plant location, all but eliminating that pesky production downtime when switching over to a new and improved model.
Building two versions of the same truck (the older DS model in Warren as well as in Saltillo, Mexico, the newer DT model in Sterling Heights) allows Ram not only to better target trim packages to the needs of the local dealer body whose communities may want more of one than the other, but also to offer a wider price structure for consumers who may or may not want a new pickup with all the newest bells and whistles.
Additionally, for the 2019 model year, Ram will offer a completely new badging strategy between the two trucks. One will offer the old-school crosshaired grille and a new "Classic" badge, while the other will move to the multi-slat, twin-nostril grille and a new Ram-stamped nameplate.
The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic will be offered in all three cab configurations (regular, Quad and crew) with three bed lengths (8-foot, 6-foot-4 and 5-foot-7), and three different engine options (3.6-liter V-6, 5.7-liter V-8 and late availability of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6). The value-priced Ram 1500 Classics will be offered in four different lower trim levels (Tradesman, Express, Big Horn/Lone Star and SSV law enforcement models). The Classic will also now have three different appearance packages called Chrome Plus, Tradesman SXT and the Express Black Accent Package. Each old-style Ram 1500 will offer unique badging, as well.
The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic will be available closer to the end of the year, with exact pricing for each of the four trims and configurations closer to their on-sale date. Ram 1500 Classics will be the only Ram half tons to offer a regular-cab pickup at least until the end of the 2019 model-year run.
Manufacturer images
