The current L200 is not all that different from what we see of many mid-sized pickups on American roads today.

Ram Truck has some great pickups on the market. Its gasoline and diesel engines of various displacements have proven successful, and the pickups have pleased buyers by the thousands. But there’s been something missing for many years now from the Ram lineup–a mid-size pickup truck. That need used to be filled nicely by the Dodge Dakota.

Second-Gen (1997 to 2004) Dodge Dakotas could be ordered with engines ranging from a 2.5L I4 to a 5.9L V8.

Well, we’ve heard through a report in Automotive News that Fiat Chrysler will begin sourcing a new mid-size pickup from Mitsubishi Motors. Unfortunately for North American buyers, at this point, it is intended for the European and Latin American market only. The truck will be based on the next-generation Mitsubishi L200 model, according to Fiat and Mitsubishi.

The new five-year plan for Fiat Chrysler, that was announced in May of 2014, indicates a pickup for Europe and Latin America debuting in 2016. It is unclear where the truck will be built, but the current Mitsubishi L200 is made in Thailand.

With so much of what is imported into and sold in the U.S. being built overseas, and in Latin America (Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Ram are among those assembled in Mexico), it’s not all that far out of the realm of possibilities to see a new Ram “Dakota” mid-sized pickup truck coming to North America from Asia.

Chrysler has long been involved with Mitsubishi (the first compact Dodge pickup was a re-badged Mitsubushi built overseas). If it was powerful, light, and nimble, with the right price and styling, it could be a big hit in the States. What do you think? Let us know in the Comments section below.