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Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot boards meet to finalize merger

MILAN/PARIS — The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot will meet separately on Tuesday to discuss finalizing an initial agreement for a $50 billion merger to create the world's number four carmaker, sources said. A source close to FCA said the two companies could announce the signing of a binding memorandum early on Wednesday, followed by a conference call to explain further details later in the day. The two mid-sized carmakers announced plans six weeks ago for a tie-up to help them deal with big challenges in the industry, including a global demand downturn and the need to develop costly cleaner cars to meet looming anti-pollution rules. Ahead of the meetings, entities representing the Peugeot family, Etablissements Peugeot Freres (EPF) and FFP, unanimously approved a proposed memorandum of understanding for the planned merger, a source familiar with the situation said. FCA and PSA have said they would seek to finalize a deal by year-end to create a group with 8.7 million in annual vehicle sales. That would put it fourth globally behind Volkswagen, Toyota and the Renault-Nissan alliance. PSA's Carlos Tavares will be chief executive and FCA's John Elkann — the scion of Italy's Agnelli family, which controls FCA through their holding company Exor — chairman of the combined company. The group will include the Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands, allowing it to serve mass and premium passenger car markets as well as those for trucks and light commercial vehicles. Related Video:       Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot

Ram 1500 Texas Ranger Concept celebrates brand's law-enforcement partnership

While the auto industry's eyes are fixed on New York for its annual extravaganza at the Javits Center, Ram is making an end-around play. The truck maker is showing a new concept at the 2015 Dallas Auto Show based on the company's long-running partnership with the Texas Rangers (the lawmen, not the baseball team). Exterior changes to the 1500 are kept rather light, with badging inspired by the Rangers' iconic badges fitted to the front fenders and tailgate. The Rangers' badge is also found at the center of each 20-inch alloy wheel. As for the white/silver color scheme, it "embodies the white hats and silver badges that the good guys always wear." Starting with the handsome Canyon Brown and Tan leather of the Laramie Longhorn, Ram designers fitted four, five-peso coins to the door inserts. Texas Rangers' badges have long been hewn from the limited-issue Mexican currency, hence its inclusion in the 1500. The coins in the front door show "heads" and the back door coins are flipped to "tails." Adding to the unique touches, a prominent Texas Rangers' badge sits over the center console and is also embossed in the leather seatbacks. Even the dash cluster's display shows the Rangers' badge upon startup. Ram and the Texas Rangers formed their partnership back in 2014, with the truck maker "aiding the preservation of the history of the renowned law-enforcement organization," the company said in its press release. You can check out the full gallery of images, which include plenty of updated interior shots, above. As for Ram's press release, that is, as usual, available below. Related Video: Ram Unveils Texas Ranger Concept Truck Ram Texas Ranger concept follows 2014 partnership announcement Iconic Texas Ranger badges highlight Ram's interior and exterior design Western-themed trucks dominate Ram lineup in Lone Star State March 25, 2015 , Dallas - The Ram Truck brand today unveiled a one-of-a-kind Texas Ranger concept truck to commemorate and promote the brand's partnership with the renowned law-enforcement agency and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Introduced by Ram Truck Brand President and CEO Bob Hegbloom at the 2015 Dallas Auto Show, the Ram Texas Ranger concept truck brings the legendary spirit of the Rangers to the road.

Chrysler recalling 280k Dodge Ram 1500 pickups over axle seizures

Following a June investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will be recalling 280,000 Dodge Ram pickups from model year 2005. The issue, NHTSA told The Detroit News, centered on a loose pinion nut, which could cause the rear axle to seize and, potentially, the driveshaft to detach. The affected vehicles were built between January of 2004 and August of 2005, while of the 280,000 trucks, only 257,000 were sold in the US market. According to The News, the recall will begin on February 13, and will see owners report to dealerships to have "a retention feature" added to the pinion nut.