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Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE ekes out another mpg, creeps toward 30

The idea of a fullsize pickup knocking on 30-miles-per-gallon highway was impressive last year when Ram announced its 28-mpg figure for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. For 2015, the company has figured out how to nudge that number up slightly higher for a new HFE version of the diesel model. The mileage tops the segment and beats the nearest competitor by 12 percent, according to the truckmaker. The 1500 EcoDiesel HFE bumps up the standard version's economy numbers by one mpg across the board for an impressive EPA rating of 29 mpg highway, 21 mpg city and 24 mpg combined. The special model is based around the Quad Cab body with rear-wheel drive and a six-foot, four-inch bed and mixes features from the Trademan and Express trims, including optional body-color bumpers. The right combination of 20-inch wheels, side steps and a tri-fold tonneau cover provides the formula to improve the aerodynamics and increase mileage. Mechanically, the truck has been left alone with the 3.0-liter diesel V6 still making 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque and routing through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Like gasoline, diesel fuel prices have been on the decline in recent weeks, though the fuel still runs significantly more per gallon than gas. It's intriguing to see Ram going after buyers who hope to eke the best economy from their trucks. The EcoDiesel HFE will go on sale late in the first quarter of 2015, and brand spokesperson Nick Cappa tells Autoblog pricing will be announced soon. Check out a video of Ram CEO Robert Hegbloom unveiling the this fuel-sipping pickup at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and read the official announcement below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Ram Has "Turned Up the Eco" on Fullsize Truck MPGs ... to 29 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE increases highway MPG rating to 29 EcoDiesel tops next nearest competitor by 12 percent 21 MPG City and 24 MPG Combined are highest EPA ratings for any pickup EcoDiesel HFE will be first diesel powertrain offered in Ram 1500 Express model January 13, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram Truck brand today announced that it will add a new, more fuel-efficient model to its half-ton truck lineup and further extend its claim on the industry's highest fuel efficiency rating. The 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE will deliver the highest fuel economy among all fullsize truck competitors -- 12 percent higher than the next-closest competitor.

Stellantis won't race to split electric vehicles from fossil fuel cars

MILAN - Stellantis is not considering splitting its electric vehicle (EV) business from its legacy combustion engine operation, its finance chief said on Thursday, as the carmaker presented above-expectation revenue data for the first quarter. Chief Financial Officer Richard Palmer told analysts he did not see huge benefits in the kind of separations pursued by rivals such as France's Renault and U.S. Ford. "We need to manage the company and the assets we have through this transition," he said. "There are benefits to having the cash flow being generated by the internal combustion business for the investments we need to make." Palmer said the group, formed by a merger last year of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA, was not averse to considering adjusting its structure "but we aren't anticipating any big changes." Palmer's comments came after the world's fourth largest carmaker said its net revenue rose 12% to 41.5 billion euros ($44.1 billion) in the January-March period, as strong pricing and the type of vehicles sold helped offset the impact of the semiconductor shortage on volumes. That topped analyst expectations of 36.9 billion euros, according to a Reuters poll. Milan-listed shares were up 0.5% by 1415 GMT, in line with Italy's blue-chip index. The impact of the chip crunch was evident in the decline in shipment figures which fell 12% in the quarter to 1.374 million vehicles. It was a similar story for Germany's BMW which posted higher revenues on Thursday and a decline in car sales. Riding the Recovery Stellantis, whose brands also include Citroen, Jeep and Maserati, confirmed its 2022 forecasts for a double-digit adjusted operating income margin, after 11.8% last year, and a positive cash-flow despite supply and inflationary headwinds. Morgan Stanley analysts said after the results that Stellantis had better management than many peers and benefited from its significant exposure to a stronger U.S. economy and a European recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. They also said it was less affected by a slowing Chinese economy. Palmer said it was important for the group to maintain double-digit margins and keep delivering positive cash flows. "A 12% increase in revenue with a 12% decrease in volumes indicates a very strong performance on price and mix, which augurs well for our margin performance," he said. He said semiconductor supply problems were expected to ease this year with continued improvements in 2023.

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: