We confess we like listening to earnings calls because there are always product tidbits sprinkled among the numbers.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' third-quarter earnings call did not disappoint, and chief executive officer Mike Manley confirmed an electric Ram pickup is in the works.

"There will be a Ram electric pickup in the marketplace, and I would just ask you to stay tuned for a little while, and I will tell you exactly when that will be," he said.

There is some urgency given the importance of the Ram brand to the automaker and the onslaught of gasoline-electric hybrid and electrictruckson the way in the next two years. General Motors has the2022 GMC Hummer EV electric pickupcoming next year, Ford plans to bring an electricF-150to marketby mid-2022, and Rivian hopes to have salable versions of theR1Trolling off the line in June 2021.Tesla also has its Cybertruckin the works, although it keeps being delayed. Ford also introduced a hybrid powertrain in the 2021 F-150.

While an EV would be a sensible addition to the Ram lineup, it's likely the brand will first offer a hybrid version of its 1500 pickup. Such a model might rely on the plug-in hybrid tech of the recently introduced Wrangler 4xe, which uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to crank out up to 375 horses.

Rise of the Three-Row Jeeps

Manley had more concrete timelines for some upcoming Jeeps. "All three major Jeep launches for 2021 remain on track," he shared.

First to go into production is a new three-row Jeep SUV that will be built at the new Detroit Assembly Complex in the first half of 2021. The new plant will also make the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Warren Truck plant, meanwhile, was down for 14 weeks to retool for the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer family that will launch in the summer of 2021. The truck plant, which also makes the Ram 1500 Classic, is back up and running.