2001 Dodge Ram 3500 on 2040-cars

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2013 Dodge Dart gets brace of new special edition models

After almost a year on the market it, it is becoming more clear to Dodge how customers like to option out their Darts, so the automaker has combined popular features into three special edition packages and sweetened the prices. Start with a standard 2013 Dart and add either the SXT or Limited "Special Editions" or Rallye Appearance Group, and you'll save yourself a lot of box checking.
The $595 Dart SXT Special Edition takes the trim just above the base model and adds a new grille, dark-tinted headlights and projector fog lights, LED racetrack taillights, cruise control and audio controls on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited Special Edition starts with the top-end model and adds a power sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and Nappa leather seats among other features, for $1,810.
The Rallye Appearance Group (pictured) is a package for the SXT, and it blacks out the front fascia, throws on 17-inch wheels and some badging for $395. The new special editions are reaching dealers now and could help the Dart's sales to further improve after a slow start. You can find out more about them in the press release below.

Police officer fired for sexually harassing a young woman

A police officer in Jackson, Mississippi was fired after a video surfaced on Tuesday of him sexually harassing a young woman from his patrol car. According to WAPT, Officer Darryl Stasher of the Jackson Mississippi Police Department rolled up to two young women walking down the street and began talking to them through the driver's side window of his patrol car. During his discourse, his language because coarser and more suggestive. He gave one young woman his number and told her that he was "going to take care of her" and that he wanted to "do more than talk". He also suggested that the two should "get a room" together. The whole exchange was caught on video, and soon after the incident the young woman uploaded the footage to Facebook where it quickly went viral. It didn't take long for the Jackson Police Department to get wind of the video. "The Jackson Police Department does have possession of the video that was posted to Facebook by the young lady," said JPD Commander Tyree Jones. "Chief (Lee) Vance found the video to be very disturbing. He is very disappointed due to the content that's in the video." Upon learning of the video, JPD put Officer Stasher on desk duty pending the results of an internal affairs investigation. Stasher, who worked for at least eight years for JPD in the second precinct, was fired soon after the investigation finished. Related Video:

Marchionne may stay with FCA until 2020

We might get to see Sergio Marchionne and his vast array of sweaters in the auto industry for even longer than expected. The FCA CEO suggested last year that he would retire from the automaker when its current five-year plan was complete in 2018. Now, he has tentatively extended that point out to at least 2020. "I can do this for another five years if you push me, right? Beyond that, I ain't gonna do it, and I don't want to," he said to Automotive News. That would give Marchionne a 16-year career at the top from joining Fiat in 2004 to possibly leaving FCA in 2020. Although, take the CEO's statement with a grain of salt because he has made multiple statements about the timing for his retirement. In 2012, Marchionne said he would only remain in charge until 2015, which is, well, now. Those five years might also go quite quickly because Marchionne is a busy guy with the Ferrari IPO, the attempted merger with General Motors, implementing FCA's five-year plan, and many other projects. He's already considering the next CEO, though. "My purpose in life is to find the Kuniskises of the world, the Manleys, the Biglands, the Palmers," Marchionne said to Automotive News, referencing the heads at Dodge, Jeep, FCA North America, and the company's chief financial officer, respectively. "I told them, 'One of you is going to do what I do one day. I don't know who that is, but one of you is going to do it.'" News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Paul Sancya / AP Photo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Sergio Marchionne FCA fca us Mike Manley reid bigland tim kuniskis