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Ram pickups to keep it steel through 2020

One of the hottest topics in the industry these days is automakers' expanding use of aluminum, especially for vehicle bodies and platforms. While the lightweight metal has historically been the preserve of premium brands and sports cars, Ford shocked the industry when it announced that its 2015 F-150 would go aluminum-intensive for its new generation. As it turns out, the material change doesn't even mean a big jump in the prices for most of its trims. Possibly in reaction to the big change, General Motors is said to be using the lightweight metal in its next-gen trucks, too. That only leaves Ram as an open question among the domestics, and at least for now, the company is apparently in no hurry to push tin.
According to Reuters speaking with two, unnamed insiders, the Ram 1500 isn't getting an aluminum infusion until sometime after 2020. That's not to say the truck is going to be stagnant for the next half-decade or more, of course. According to Ram's five-year plan, there's a refresh for the 1500 coming in 2015 and much bigger changes on the way in 2017. Those same sources tell Reuters that further revisions aren't expected until at least 2021, which is when the aluminum could be added.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne hasn't minced words about his thoughts on using the lightweight metal in pickups. "I have better use of aluminum in this house than a pickup truck," he said in May. Having said that, Marchionne was clear that if the material turns out to be revolutionary in the segment, the company would be willing to follow.

Hero gets his truck back better than new thanks to community support [w/video]

You ever hear a story and start cringing before you hear the end because you know how it's going to turn out? That could very well have been the case with the story from a few weeks ago in West Valley City, Utah, where a 14-year-old kid stole his grandfather's Hyundai Veloster and took it for a joyride - through a park full of children. But instead it turned into a heart-warming tale of heroism and a community banding together to do what's right... and then some.
Bryson Rowley was that hero who identified the danger and, rather than sit idly by and watch the joyrider potentially run over a child, got into his truck and drove it into the menacing runaway hatchback. The collision caused some $7,500 to his 2008 Dodge Ram 2500, but instead of getting stuck with the bill - one which his insurance may very well have refused to pay since the crash was, technically speaking, intentional - his community pitched in a helping hand.
Bryan Ellison, who owns West Valley Carstar with his brother, saw the news on television and wanted to help. So he brought Rowley a rental car, picked up his truck and brought it back to his auto repair shop. People from around the community donated parts, and when all was said and done, some $15,000 of work and upgrades were performed on the Ram that was returned to an overwhelmed Bryson Rowley better than new. Watch the video below for the full story.

Mopar makes the Ram Rebel even more macho for 2016

Mopar is making the 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel a little more badass and charging a lot more money. This is the Mopar '16 Rebel. Customers that snag one of the 500 special-edition Rebels get some nifty visual upgrades from the Mopar catalog. The truck's plastic flares are bigger, and the "performance" aluminum hood comes with a big, matte-black decal. It's a macho truck. These special-edition Ram Rebels only come in two colors – Flame Red and Brilliant Black – and we're not really sure if the Mopar's traditional blue highlights work well on the red version. The dark hue ought to look the business, though. Either shade goes well with the standard 17-inch black wheels and black skid plate on the front bumper – the normal Rebel's skid plate is silver. Those are just the standard Mopar accessories on this special edition. The aftermarket division will happily sell Rebel drivers more performance-oriented mods, including a cold-air intake or cat-back exhaust for the Rebel's standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Even if you choose to pass on those upgrades, you're still paying at least $52,460 for the Mopar '16 Rebel. The basis for this truck, the 1500 Rebel 4x4, starts at $46,395, or $6,065 less than the Mopar special edition. While the body changes are cool, there's not enough here to warrant that kind of premium. The Mopar 16' Rebel will arrive in dealers later this summer. Related Video: