2014 Ram 1500 Slt on 2040-cars

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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.

Work at a Chrysler dealership, get free college education

The cost of a college education in the US can put a student tens (hundreds, in some cases) of thousands of dollars into debt. FCA US wants to give its dealership employees a leg up, though, and the automaker is now offering a completely free education to them through a partnership with Strayer University. The workers can take any of the college's classes online or on campus through program called Degrees@Work. Currently, the offer is only available to employees Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat dealers in the automaker's Southeast region, which includes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. However, a national expansion will happen before the end of the year, Strayer spokesperson Cristina Henley tells Autoblog. The program will cover all of the students' expenses, including their books, according to Henley. FCA US sees this partnership as a way to improve the talent of its workforce, retain employees longer and possibly attract people wanting to take advantage of this free education. "Many of our dealers have expressed concern over the availability of talent to fill open positions due to business growth and turnover in their stores, especially in metro markets," Al Gardner, the company's Head of Dealer Network Development, said in the Degrees@Work announcement. Strayer has about 40 programs available, including in business administration, accounting, marketing, and more, and the university offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. It will also give FCA US employees credit for their work experience to get them a diploma even more quickly. FCA US Dealers to Offer Employees No-Cost, No-Debt College Education FCA US teams with Strayer University to develop first-of-its-kind dealer program Degrees@Work program open to all employees of participating dealerships Employees can earn no-cost, no-debt degree through Strayer University All Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram and FIAT dealerships may participate First phase of program rollout begins with dealers in the FCA US Southeast Business Center National rollout expected later this year May 4, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Employees of Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram and FIAT dealerships will have the unique opportunity to earn a no-cost, no-debt college degree through Strayer University's Degrees@Work program, developed in collaboration with FCA US LLC. FCA US is the only company in the automotive industry to offer the program.

FCA CEO Mike Manley will take undefined new role after PSA merger

MILAN — Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Mike Manley will remain with the new group set to result from a planned merger with French rival PSA-Peugeot, Chairman John Elkann said on Wednesday. In a letter to Fiat Chrysler (FCA) employees on the day the two companies announced a binding agreement for a $50 billion tie-up to create the world's fourth-largest carmaker, Elkann said he was "delighted" that the combined group would be led by current PSA CEO Carlos Tavares. "And Mike Manley, who has led FCA with huge energy, commitment and success over the past year, will be there alongside him," he said. He did not say what position Manley would hold. Elkann — who will chair the new group — said there was still much to be done to complete the merger. "Over the coming months we must work tirelessly and determinedly to fulfill all the approval requirements needed to finalize the commitment we have signed," he said. Related Video:     Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot FCA PSA merger Mike Manley carlos tavares