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Chrysler to replace transmissions on 159 2014 Ram 1500s

Some recalls we report on are bigger than others. This one involves a big vehicle, but only 159 of them. No, not 159,000. Just 159.
The vehicle in question is the Ram 1500 - specifically the 2014 model, and more specifically than that, those made over the course of 12 days in late January and early February of this year. According to the statement below, Chrysler was notified by one of its transmission suppliers that a small shipment of gearboxes might have difficulty shifting into Park.
Although the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker says it is unaware of any accidents or injuries having resulted from the issue, and has not received any specific complaints, it is notifying the owners of the 159 trucks in question to bring their pickups in for service and, if necessary, to have the entire transmission replaced.

Midsize Ram truck coming to U.S.

The midsize truck segment is officially back in full force. Today, at FCA's new five-year plan, company CEO Sergio Marchionne and Ram head Mike Manley announced that America will be getting Ram's new global midsize truck. The new model is designed for a global audience. It will not be based on the Mitsubishi Triton, we're told. FCA already sells that model in certain markets as the Ram 1200. Trucks for the North American market will likely be built in Mexico on the old Ram Heavy Duty production line. The upcoming Ram HD — set to debut at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show — will be built in the US. The timing of the new midsize Ram isn't pinpointed, but the above slide from FCA's presentation suggests we'll see it by 2022. A with all upcoming Ram models, look for some form of electrification, likely in the form of the 48-volt mild hybrid system that's set to debut later this year in the 2018 Ram 1500. Don't expect the truck to tailor too heavily to US tastes like the Toyota Tacoma or Chevy Colorado. Like the upcoming Ford Ranger, this is a global truck first and foremost. Marchionne said that Ram's focus in the US will remain mostly on full-size trucks. Still it will be sold in the U.S., just not in any expected large volumes. Related Video:

Peugeot E-Boxer seems like it would make a nice electric Ram ProMaster

Though electric cars, and especially pickup trucks, are the hot zero-emissions battlefield, there's another sector that's heating up: commercial vans. Startups such as Rivian and Bollinger have announced plans for vans, and Ford has shown a prototype of an electric Transit. It seems Stellantis is slightly ahead of the curve, though, as it has revealed details of its electric vans with the Peugeot E-Boxer. And the reason you should care is that the E-Boxer and gas-powered Boxer are nearly identical to the American-market Ram ProMaster and Italian Fiat Ducato. Powering the E-Boxer is a single electric motor at the front. It's not particularly powerful with just 122 ponies, but it has a more respectable 192 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is limited to 68 mph, which would probably need to be raised if these vans were offered in the U.S. Supplying power is one of two available battery packs: The shorter models get a 37-kWh battery that is rated for 124 miles of range on the WLTP cycle; longer models get a 70-kWh battery rated by WLTP for 211 miles. Those numbers would likely be lower in American EPA testing. While the range isn't incredible, enormous range likely isn't as important for delivery vans that might operate locally. These vans also come with DC fast charging in case more range is needed quickly. Though not quick, the Peugeot E-Boxer doesn't sacrifice on practicality. No cargo space is sacrificed for the electric powertrain, so you can fit just as much into one as a similarly configured gas model. Payload capacity is comparable to the gas vans, even the V6 ProMaster, too, with a maximum of 4,167 pounds. This number does vary based on configuration, just like cargo space. Peugeot will offer it in four different lengths with three roof heights as well as chassis and cutaway cab models. So it's just as configurable as the regular version. With some adjustment to how quick the E-Boxer can go, it would seem like it could be offered in the U.S. and beat some competitors to the punch. It's all built on the existing Ram ProMaster platform that we get here. And electric power would seem appealing to businesses that need delivery vans: lower fuel and maintenance costs. Time will tell if Stellantis sees things the same way. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2018 Volkswagen California Review