Ram Surpassed Jeep as Top Stellantis Brand in 2026

The truck maker reported significant third-quarter growth as Jeep sales declined in the American market.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Trucks

Isometric editorial illustration showing a steel truck engine block and a tire tread, representing automotive manufacturing and industrial performance. — Ram surpassed Jeep as the top-selling Stellantis brand in the United States during the third quarter of 2026, driven by strong demand for high-horsepower engines. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In the third quarter of 2026, Ram overtook Jeep to become the best-selling Stellantis brand in America. Ram recorded a 29% year-over-year sales increase, while Jeep saw its sales fall by 20% during the same period.

Why it matters

The shift highlights a change in strategy as Ram prioritized high-horsepower internal combustion engines over previous electric vehicle initiatives. This pivot reflects growing demand among truck buyers for vehicles that provide raw and emotional power.

The base Ram 1500 offers 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping 1500 Rumble Bee SRT reaches 777 horsepower. Pricing ranges from a $59,995 base model to $97,790 for the top-tier SRT version.

The players

Ram

An American brand of light to mid-weight commercial and passenger trucks and vans currently owned by Stellantis.

Jeep

An iconic American automobile brand specializing in sport utility vehicles and off-road capable trucks.

Tim Kuniskis

An automotive executive who returned to lead the Ram brand in 2026 after previously serving as CEO of Dodge and Ram.

Matt VanDyke

The current CEO of Ram who assumed leadership of the brand following the departure of Tim Kuniskis.

Stellantis

A multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the PSA Group.

The details

Ram implemented a strategy focused on reviving the Street and Racing Technology division to boost performance. Following the brand's shift back to HEMI V8 engines, the base Ram 1500 Rumble Bee sold out its initial inventory in just 90 minutes.

Tim Kuniskis returned to the Ram brand in 2026.
Ram sales grew 29% and Jeep sales fell 20% in Q3 2026.
New Rumble Bee truck variants are scheduled to hit the market in 2027.

Roadmap

Ram's recent success marks a departure from the industry-wide transition toward electric vehicles in favor of high-performance internal combustion engines. This strategy positions the brand to capture market share from competitors by doubling down on traditional power segments.

Potential buyers should note the aggressive pricing tiers for the new performance lineup, starting at $59,995 for the base Rumble Bee. With high demand leading to rapid sell-outs of limited editions, shoppers may face significant waitlists or inventory shortages.

The takeaway

The pivot to high-performance engines indicates that consumer appetite for traditional power remains a dominant force in the truck market. Buyers interested in limited-edition models should prepare to act quickly as new releases often sell out within hours of availability.

What happens next

New Rumble Bee truck variants, including the Rumble Bee 392, the Rumble Bee Track Pack, and the 777-horsepower 1500 Rumble Bee SRT, are scheduled to hit the market in 2027.