The Ram 1500 delivered a major sales gain in the third quarter of 2026, even as several major full-size pickup competitors recorded declines. Ram’s overall sales climbed 33.7%, while the Ram 1500 alone jumped nearly 73% year over year after heavy-duty models were excluded.
Ram 1500 Gains as Rivals Decline
The third quarter produced a notable shift among major truck brands. Ford F-Series sales fell 1.9%, while GMC Sierra sales dropped 2.5% and Toyota Tundra sales declined 0.7%.
Against those results, Ram posted a 33.7% increase in overall sales. The Ram 1500 was the standout performer, with sales rising nearly 73% year over year when heavy-duty models were removed from the calculation.
One major factor behind the increase appears to be Ram’s decision to bring back the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 under new leadership.
The 5.7-Liter Hemi V8 Returns
Ram dropped the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 for 2025 in favor of the twin-turbo Hurricane six. While the Hurricane is quicker and more modern on paper, the return of the Hemi suggests that truck buyers continue to place significant value on the sound, feel and familiarity associated with a V8.
Ram is not the only automaker responding to that demand. Ford is adding V8 options to the F-150, while GM is investing $1 billion in a new generation of V8 engines.
Ram Extends 10-Year Powertrain Warranty
Ram also has another major selling point: a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The company originally planned to end the offer in January, but extended it through the 2026 model year after reported overwhelming feedback from customers and dealers.
Ford and Chevrolet offer 5-years/60,000-miles of powertrain coverage. That gives Ram a notable advantage for buyers, particularly those financing their trucks over longer periods of time.
Heavy-Duty Truck Sales Decline
Heavy-duty truck sales fell across the board during the period. Silverado HD sales dropped around 10%, while Ram and Sierra HD sales also declined.
Ford Super Duty remained the leader with an estimated 79,000 units, ahead of GM’s two heavy-duty trucks at roughly 72,000 combined. Ford, however, combines its F-Series sales, making Ram’s overall surge particularly notable.
Midsize Trucks Continue to Grow
The gains were not limited to full-size pickups. Midsize truck sales rose 4.6%, while the Nissan Frontier surged 37% to about 23,000 units.
The Ford Maverick also posted strong results, with roughly 41,970 units sold, an increase of 20%. That figure exceeded GM’s entire midsize lineup.
The Tacoma remained the midsize segment leader with 71,000 units despite a slight decline. The latest results show that truck buyers are still choosing pickups, while Ram’s combination of the returning Hemi V8 and extended powertrain warranty has helped drive a significant increase in Ram 1500 sales.
