2014 Ram 1500 Sport on 2040-cars

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Chevy Silverado edges Ram 1500 in Consumer Reports two-truck shootout

Forget Corvette versus Viper. When it comes to important head-to-head comparisons, fullsize trucks are where domestic automakers really care. And until the redesigned Ford F-150 makes its debut, the Chevrolet Silverado is going to have plenty to brag about thanks to a new Consumer Reports shootout against the Ram 1500.
It was a tight race among these V8-powered titans, but the all-new 2014 Silverado (and its GMC Sierra twin) barely edged out Ram's updated pickup with a score of 81 points - enough to make it the institute's top-rated fullsize truck on the market. Its narrow victory over the Ram, which finished just three points back, was due to its superior fuel economy, better towing and payload capacity and conveniences like a lower step-in height, easy-to-use tailgate and rear bumper steps that make loading and unloading less of a chore.
Importantly, CR notes that buyers with less heavy-duty truck needs might actually prefer the Ram over the Chevrolet, since its high points include a smoother ride thanks to its coil spring rear suspension, dominant infotainment system with Uconnect, and a big thumbs up for the available Hemi engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

2019 Ram 1500 pickup spotted without the classic crosshairs

Ram has done a good job of hiding its next-generation trucks from the public, but one of our spy photographers finally glimpsed the pickup with very little camouflage. One truck was even wearing just its factory paint job. From what we can see, the 2019 Ram pickup will be a big departure from the current generation. (UPDATE, January 2018: Here are the story and photos from the 2019 Ram's full reveal at the Detroit Auto Show.) Up front are the most significant changes. Ram trucks since the mid-'90s have been distinguished by their big-rig looks that consisted of low mounted headlights, and a tall, proud grille. That grille was also made all the more prominent by how the middle of the hood met the top of the grille, while the sides of the hood and the fenders dipped down toward the headlights. This traditional look has mostly disappeared. The headlights have been raised up to the top of the grille opening. Now the grille drops below the lights. There is still a hint of the old style in the hood, but the look is very different. That hood and the front bumper also are more sculpted and detailed to emphasize the truck's toughness, and the hood now features a badge with the model of truck and its engine. The dark red truck in the photos has a 5.7-liter V8. The grille appears to be missing the classic crosshairs, too, and instead there's just one horizontal bar. It's possible this is just for this trim level, since the current Ram has a variety of grilles sans crosshairs. Moving around the truck, the changes are less radical. The Ram's flanks are still impressively clean and uncluttered, featuring simple, organic curves. The taillights are more detailed now, and the turn signals and reverse lights have little swoops in them. The tailgate is very clean, too, and the various holes in the back indicate that there will be no shortage of badging and garnish options at the rear. Expect to see all the details in the near future, in time for the 2019 model year. Related Video:

Chrysler earns $1.7B in 2012, revises product plans for US

Hot on the heels of Ford's earnings announcement for the year that was, Chrysler today reported a 2012 net income of $1.7 billion, up substantially from the comparatively minuscule $183 million profit earned in 2011 when it repaid its US government loans.
Chrysler's good year ended with an excellent fourth quarter that saw net income rise 68 percent from $225 million in 2011 to $378 million. Where are all those extra earnings coming from? Market share, which Chrysler saw increase to 11.4% last year on sales of 1.65 million vehicles. In fact, the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker out-paced the industry's market growth of 13 percent last year with sales up 21 percent for the year.
The company also revealed an updated product plan for its Chrysler Group and Fiat brands that looks all the way out to 2016. It's an updated version of the plan introduced in 2009 shortly after Fiat took control of the American automaker, and includes such new additions as an Alfa Romeo model, likely the 4C, to be introduced in the US this year, as well five more Alfa models by 2016. Likewise, Fiat will be growing by an additional seven models in the coming few years.