2002 Grand Caravan Sport Starcraft Customized on 2040-cars

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FCA issuing software update for 1.4M vehicles to prevent hacking

In the wake of a Jeep Cherokee being hacked remotely while on the road through its Uconnect infotainment system, FCA US is now issuing a software update for 1.4 million vehicles in the United States. Affected customers will receive a USB stick in the mail with the improved version; owners can check this website to see if their cars are affected. A large variety of models with FCA's 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system are affected. They include the 2015 Chrysler 200, 2015 Chrysler 300, 2015 Dodge Charger, and 2015 Dodge Challenger; 2013-2015 Dodge Viper; 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500; 2013-2015 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cab; 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Cherokee; and 2014-2015 Dodge Durango. According to FCA in its announcement, the new software "insulates connected vehicles from remote manipulation." As of July 23, the company also "fully tested and implemented within the cellular network" additional security to prevent access to many of a vehicle's systems. FCA US says that it's conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution and disputes the notion that there's a defect with these vehicles. Beyond the demonstration of the hack in the Cherokee, the automaker says that it's unaware of any other reports of these attacks actually happening. Related Video: Statement: Software Update July 24, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to update software in approximately 1,400,000 U.S. vehicles equipped with certain radios. The recall aligns with an ongoing software distribution that insulates connected vehicles from remote manipulation, which, if unauthorized, constitutes criminal action. Further, FCA US has applied network-level security measures to prevent the type of remote manipulation demonstrated in a recent media report. These measures – which required no customer or dealer actions – block remote access to certain vehicle systems and were fully tested and implemented within the cellular network on July 23, 2015. The Company is unaware of any injuries related to software exploitation, nor is it aware of any related complaints, warranty claims or accidents – independent of the media demonstration.

Stellantis is official: FCA and PSA merger finally sealed

MILAN — Fiat Chrysler and PSA sealed their long-awaited merger on Saturday to create Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest auto group with deep enough pockets to fund the shift to electric driving and take on bigger rivals Toyota and Volkswagen. It took over a year for the Italian-American and French automakers to finalize the $52 billion deal, during which the global economy was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. They first announced plans to merge in October 2019, to create a group with annual sales of around 8.1 million vehicles. "The merger between Peugeot S.A. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. that will lead the path to the creation of Stellantis N.V. became effective today," the two automakers said in a statement. Shares in Stellantis, which will be headed by current PSA Chief Executive Carlos Tavares, will start trading in Milan and Paris on Monday, and in New York on Tuesday. Now analysts and investors are turning their focus to how Tavares plans to address the huge challenges facing the group – from excess production capacity to a woeful performance in China. Tavares will hold his first press conference as Stellantis CEO on Tuesday, after ringing NYSE's bell with Chairman John Elkann. FCA and PSA have said Stellantis can cut annual costs by over 5 billion euros ($6.1 billion) without plant closures, and investors will be keen for more details on how it will do this. Marco Santino, a partner at consultants Oliver Wyman, said he expected Tavares to disclose the outlines of his action plan soon, but without divulging too many details at first. "He has proven to be the kind of person who prefers action to words, so I don't think he will make loud statements or try to over-sell targets," he said. Like all global automakers, Stellantis needs to invest billions in the years ahead to transform its vehicle range for the electric era. But other pressing tasks loom, including reviving the group's lagging fortunes in China, rationalizing its huge global empire and addressing massive overcapacity. "It will be a step by step process, also to allow the market to better appreciate every single move. I don't think we will have all the details before one year," Santino said.

Dodge Challenger Hellcat X is 805-hp worth of charity [w/video]

Donating to charity is good for the soul. You feel good and help out those in need, and while you should donate out of the goodness of your heart, there's nothing wrong with getting something in return. That's doubly true if that something (or somethings) happen to run on gasoline... a lot of gasoline. For just $3 (plus $40,000 in taxes), you could park not one, but two high-powered Mopars in your driveway. The big item, of course, is the world's most powerful Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Dubbed the Hellcat X after the XF6F, a twin-charged US Navy prototype that evolved into the Hellcat fighter from World War II. Its 6.2-liter, supercharged V8 has been supplemented by a turbocharger, boosting output to 805 horsepower. Because, you know, 707 just wasn't quite enough. It should be noted that the Hellcat X isn't a production model – Fiat Chrysler isn't going to be putting a twin-charged Hemi into production – but that it's a one-off job built for the 2015 Chrysler Nationals at Carlisle. Joining the Hellcat X is a handsome, black 1970 Challenger 440 R/T. Complete with a four-barrel carburetor (yeah, we were hoping for a Six Pack, as well), a pistol-grip shifter, and menacing black paint, this exact car was the star of 2012's "Revolution Reborn" television spot. And if this car's on-air claim to fame isn't enough, rest easy knowing you're the owner of just one of 100 black 440 R/Ts produced in 1970. Now, single tickets do start at $3, although there are larger bundles available, including a $5,000, 6,000-ticket package. Proceeds from the drawing, which is being put on by Dream Giveaway, will go towards New Beginning Children's Home charity, which issues grants to everything from the National Guard Educational Foundation to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. You can check out more on the Hellcat X in the video, below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.