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2014 Promaster looks like a Fiat, hauls like a Ram

A new day is dawning, folks. The old-guard vans of our youth are being replaced with a new flock of European-inspired commercial vehicles from the likes of Ford, Nissan (Renault) and Mercedes-Benz. Here in Chicago, Ram pulled the covers off its entry into the reborn commercial van market with the 2014 Promaster, based on the well-known European Fiat Ducato.
Ram makes no bones about the Promaster's Fiat underpinnings, though the company claims it has beefed up the machine for US roads and uses with a re-engineered chassis, a more robust suspension setup, improved brakes (from Brembo), additional corrosion protection, improved climate control and additional safety systems.
Power comes from one of two powerplants options, one gas and one diesel. First up is Chrysler's well-known 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 rated at 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. For a bit more pulling power and durability, Ram is offering a new 3.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 174 hp and, more importantly, 295 lb-ft of torque at just 1,400 rpm. That engine sends its torquey goodness through a six-speed electronically controlled automated manual gearbox.

Fiat/PSA's dominance in small vans hangs up EU's merger approval

BRUSSELS — EU antitrust regulators are concerned about Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot / PSA's combined high market share in small vans and may require concessions to clear their $50 billion merger, people familiar with the matter said. The companies, which are seeking to create the world's fourth biggest carmaker, were told of the European Commission's concerns last week. If Fiat and PSA fail to dispel the European Commission's doubts in the next two days and subsequently decline to offer concessions by Wednesday, the deadline for doing so, the deal would face a four-month-long investigation. The EU competition enforcer, which has set a June 17 deadline for its preliminary review, declined to comment. Fiat was not immediately available for comment while PSA had no immediate comment. Hiving off overlapping businesses, usually a regulatory demand to ensure more competition, could prove tricky for the carmakers because of the technicalities. Fiat and PSA are looking to merge to help offset slowing demand and shoulder the cost of making cleaner vehicles to meet tougher emissions regulations. The deal puts under one roof the Italian carmaker's brands such as Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Maserati and the French company's Peugeot, Opel and DS. Related Video: Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM Citroen Opel Peugeot

451 Ram trucks take world record for longest parade of pickups

If you've been wondering what the world record was for the longest parade of pickup trucks, wonder no more, because Ram has just set a new one. A staggering parade of 451 Ram trucks gathered on Saturday in Arlington, TX, breaking the previous record that stood at 438, and driving a route of 3.2 miles. The endeavor was held to coincide with the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards, held at AT&T Stadium – home of the Dallas Cowboys – in Arlington this weekend. Ram truck owners came from across seven states and as far away as Canada to participate in the event, which was certified by Guinness World Records. As part of the celebration, participants were treated to a car-crushing demonstration by the Raminator monster truck and appearances by country musicians Kix Brooks, Thomas Rhett and Easton Corbin, with a special performance by Midnight Social out of Austin. Ram Trucks Makes History April 18 Setting New GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title for Largest Parade of Pickup Trucks - 451Ram truck owners from seven U.S. states and Canada help set new world record, Saturday, April 18, 2015 - Ram Truck 'Round-up' held in conjunction with 50th Academy of Country Music Awards weekend in Arlington, Texas, April 17-19 - ACM Awards to be broadcast for the first time ever LIVE from AT&T Stadium in Arlington this Sunday, April 19 on CBS April 18, 2015 , Arlington, TX - Ram truck owners from seven U.S states and Canada helped the Ram Truck brand set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest parade of pickup trucks, Saturday, April 18, in Arlington, Texas. 451 Ram trucks participated in the "Ram Truck Round-up," breaking the previous world record of 438 trucks. Ram, the "Official Truck" of the Academy of Country Music Awards, invited its customers to help break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in honor the 50th anniversary of the ACM Awards, which will be broadcast live for the first time ever from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, April 19, at 8 p.m. live Eastern time/8 p.m. delayed Pacific time on CBS Television Network. "Our hard-working Ram truck owners are passionate and loyal, and today they proved once again that everything is always bigger in Texas," said Robert Hegbloom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ram Truck Brand, FCA – North America.