The last small Ram pickup sold in the US was the Dakota. The truck shared a platform with the Dodge Durango SUV and was discontinued in 2011. In its final years, sales dropped from a high of 177,000 to just 12,000. The small truck market fell apart during that time, as the trucks were barely more efficient or cheaper than full-sized offerings.

"We’re a truck brand and we don’t have a compact, we don’t have a mid-size," boss Tim Kuniskis said. "Kinda disingenuous to call me a truck brand, isn’t it?"

Kuniskis isn’t the only one. Fortunately for Kuniskis, Chrysler chief executive Chris Feuell is on board. In November, she confirmed a smaller pickup “will be brought to marke

The returning CEO of Ram is still keen on a global mid-sized dual-cab ute to slot in beneath the Ram 1500 pickup.