As the Fiat Chrysler merger with the PSA Group slogs along Peugeot just announced its Landtrek pickup truck. It’s an all-new one-ton truck that comes in a single or double cab style and also as a chassis cab. Does the question become if post-merger the US gets the Landtrek? Will it be rebadged as a Ram product? Where will it be sold besides its pre-merger destinations of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa? Would you buy one? Maybe if you knew more about it you would, so here goes.

First, this is a joint collaboration between Peugeot and Changan, a Chinese manufacturer. The Changan Kaicheng F70 is what the Landtrek is based on. It has been available for about a year. Whether you choose the single or double cab either comes in two versions; “Workhorse” or “Multipurpose.” The former is considered a commercial truck and is a slightly stripped version. The latter is for families needing both transportation and a pickup for a bit of hauling. The interiors and brightwork are more apparent with this version.

Landtrek offers two engine options, two transmission options, and two- or four-wheel-drive

With a payload of 1.2 tons and a towing capacity of over three tons, it will definitely do some hauling. Two- and four-wheel-drive are both offered. There are also two engine options; either the 2.4-liter gas engine with 210 hp or the 1.9-liter diesel with 150 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A Getrag six-speed manual transmission or Punch six-speed automatic are both available. If you go with the automatic you also get mode selections. Sport, Eco, and sequential are your mode options.

The truck’s styling takes on a family appearance as with other Peugeot offerings. If you can imagine it with a more Ram-like front end and aggressive wheel/tire combo it would make for an attractive midsize Ram, don’t you think? Even adding paint to the front bumper cover would spike things up a bit.

Can you imagine the Landtrek with some brightwork and aggressive wheel/tire combo being a midsize Ram?

Don’t forget that the presentation of this truck is geared toward the work truck buyer. Steel wheels and black bumper covers with no brightwork are standard fare. So you’ll have to use your imagination to envision this glitzed-up competing with Colorados and Tacomas. 

The clean interior boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A 10-inch infotainment screen flashes your needs and there are a number of driver-assist systems and cameras for rear views. All of this indicates it has its sights set for a consumer-friendly market. Might that market include the US?

Peugeot says the Landtrek won’t be sold in Europe, but what about the US?

Peugeot has already said Europe probably won’t get the pickup saying, “The Landtrek is not expected to be included in the scope of the marketing.” That’s the French way of saying it won’t be offered there. The US is not mentioned because Peugeot is not sold here. But the merger changes everything. 

Size-wise the Landtrek measures almost exactly the same as a Chevy Colorado. Since Ram dealers are clamouring for a midsize truck and the Landtrek fits that segment might this be Ram’s midsize? It makes sense. Possibly adding a V6 option would clinch the deal. It’s all speculation but it would take a lot less development time than starting with a clean sheet. 

So, maybe we are seeing the midsize Ram.