--- title: "This Compact Ram Pickup Spied in the US Might Be a Ford Maverick Fighter" date: "2023-05-09" modified: "2023-05-09" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-compact-ram-pickup-spied-in-the-us-might-be-a-ford-maverick-fighter" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "RAM News" - "Trucks" --- # This Compact Ram Pickup Spied in the US Might Be a Ford Maverick Fighter ![]() *\Andy Didorosi\* In 2020, Stellantis launched the Ram 700 in Mexico, essentially a badge-engineered Fiat Strada compact pickup. Both cars are successful in South and Central America, but Stellantis had no plans on selling it in the States—at least, they didn't officially announce it. However, likely due to the incredible popularity of the [Ford Maverick](), Stellantis might be looking to bring the little ute 'Stateside, as a suspicious-looking test mule was just spotted on a car carrier in Michigan. This spy video comes courtesy of [Andy Didorosi,]() who saw a car carrier on Interstate 75 outside Detroit carrying what looks like a heavily camouflaged Ram 700 or some other Stellantis-branded derivative. It's pretty hard to make out any details through the heaps of fake body cladding obscuring the pickup's design. However, one key detail gives away its Ram 700/Fiat Strada NDA—the vertical bars in the bed, behind the C-pillar, that lead into the roof rails. They're exactly like the ones seen on the trucks mentioned above. https://twitter.com/thatdetroitandy/status/1655587512658669569 What could this baby Ram be called? At first, I thought it might be a Jeep (maybe a revival of the Jeep Comanche?) due to the Jeep Compass in front of it. However, it lacks Jeep's signature grille. Does it keep the Ram 700 name? Does that make it seem like half of a Ram 1500? Or maybe it digs up an old nameplate, like the Dakota? ![]() Regardless of the name, this compact pickup would likely need new powertrain options to keep up with Ford. The Mexican-market Ram 700 uses a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 100 horsepower and 99 pound-feet of torque and a five-speed manual, which wouldn't fly in the States. However, the powertrains from the Dodge Hornet could work nicely, as they would provide both a hybrid and a higher-performance turbo-four-cylinder, just like the Maverick. There's no official word on what this test mule is or if it's truly coming to the U.S. market, but it would surprise no one if Ram launched a Maverick fighter of its own. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()