Ram is finally ending production of the older DS-series 1500 pickup truck later this year, and no more examples are coming to Australia.
Automotive News reports word from Ram that production of the DS-series model, known as the 1500 Classic in the US, is wrapping up this spring, though sales will continue in the US into 2025.
It could be gone from Australian showrooms much sooner.
Just 26 examples of the old DS-series are left, all in dealer stock, according to a spokesperson for Ram’s local distributor.
If you’re after a runout 1500, contact a dealer via CarExpert for the best deal or call our Concierge team on 1300 587 992.
Ram currently offers the previous DS-series model in a single 1500 Express Crew Cab variant in Australia, alongside a much wider range of DT-series models.
The DT-series has already been revealed in updated guise, ditching the venerable Hemi V8 for a turbocharged inline six, but though the reveal took place last November, Ram Trucks Australia has yet to confirm when it’ll come here.
The older DS-series 1500, which dates back to 2008, entered runout mode in 2023. This coincided with the introduction of a new, more affordable DT-series entry-level model, the Big Horn.
For now, both generations of 1500 are offered in Australia exclusively with V8 power. The DS-series Express, however, lacks DT models’ eTorque mild-hybrid system.
The updated 1500 is ditching V8 power for new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engines.
The standard Hurricane six produces 313kW of power and 636Nm of torque, while the High Output version produces 402kW and 706Nm.
No V8 will be offered in the updated range, even in the US. It’s the latest pickup to ditch V8 power, following the Toyota Tundra.
The Ford F-150 is offered in Australia exclusively with a twin-turbo V6, however it can still be had with a pair of V8s in North America.
Current Ram 1500 Laramie Sport 
2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten
Overseas, the updated 1500 will also continue to offer the Pentastar 3.6-litre petrol V6, which has never been offered in an Australian-market Ram.
There’s also a new Ramcharger model, which uses a range-extender powertrain. This also features the Pentastar V6, but it’s used to power a 130kW onboard generator which in turn sends power to the electric motors.
The Ramcharger features a 92kWh battery pack, and Ram claims total outputs of 487kW of power and 834Nm of torque.
Additionally, Ram is introducing the 1500 REV, a fully electric pickup to rival the likes of the Ford F-150 Lightning.
Ram 1500 Ramcharger 
Ram 1500 REV
The current DS- and DT-series 1500 lineup in Australia remains the top seller in its segment, with 1959 examples sold this year to the end of July.
However, the 1500 range’s tally was down 50.8 per cent on the same period last year. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is getting closer in its rear-view mirror, with 1384 sales in the same period, up 23.7 per cent.
Ram also now has to worry about the Ford F-150, of which 1132 examples have been sold this year.
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
