2021 Ram 1500 Slt on 2040-cars

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China-FCA merger could be a win-win for everyone but politicians

NEW YORK — Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne has said the car industry needs to come together, cut costs and stop incinerating capital. So far, his words have mostly fallen on deaf ears among competitors in Europe and North America. But it appears Marchionne has finally found a receptive audience — in China. FCA shares soared Monday after trade publication Automotive News reported the $18 billion Italian-American conglomerate controlled by the Agnelli family rebuffed a takeover from an unidentified carmaker from the Chinese mainland. As ugly as the politics of such a combination may appear at first blush, a transaction could stack up industrially, and perhaps even financially. A Sino-U.S.-European merger would create the first truly global auto group. That could push consolidation to the next level elsewhere. Moreover, China is the world's top market for the SUVs that Jeep effectively invented, so it might benefit FCA financially. A combo would certainly help upgrade the domestic manufacturer; Chinese carmakers have gotten better at making cars, but struggle to build global brands, and they need to develop export markets. Though frivolous overseas shopping excursions by Chinese enterprises are being reined in by Beijing, acquisitions that support the modernization and transformation of strategic industries still receive support, and the government considers the automotive industry to be strategic. A purchase of FCA by Guangzhou Automobile, Great Wall or Dongfeng Motors would probably get the same stamp of approval ChemChina was given for its $43 billion takeover of Syngenta. What's standing in the way? Apart from price (Automotive News said FCA's board deemed the offer insufficient) there's the not-insignificant matter of politics. Even as FCA shares soared, President Donald Trump interrupted his vacation to instruct the U.S. Trade Representative to look into whether to investigate China's trade policies on intellectual property. Seeing storied Detroit brands like Jeep, Chrysler, Ram and Dodge handed off to a Chinese company would provoke howls among Trump's economic-nationalist supporters. It might not play well in Italy, either, to see Alfa Romeo and Maserati answering to Wuhan instead of Turin — though Automotive News said they might be spun off separately. Yet, as Morgan Stanley observes, "cars don't ship across oceans easily," and political considerations increasingly demand local manufacture of valuable products.

2015 Ram ProMaster recalled for ignition switch issue

The Basics: Ram is recalling a total of 18,121 examples of the 2015 ProMaster with production dates between October 1, 2014, and June 17, 2015. These include 16,114 of them in the US, 1,498 in Canada, 503 in Mexico, and 6 outside the NAFTA region. The Problem: The ignition switch can intermittently lose electrical contact, and this can potentially cause the vans to stall. If the problem occurs, the vehicles might also lose functionality of the airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and instruments. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition-switch contact holder. If You Own One: FCA filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on November 25, and it has 60 days to notify owners about the campaign under federal rules. Until the repair, the company says that turning the ignition off and then back on can fix this problem if the switch loses contact. RECALL Subject : Intermittent Loss of Ignition Switch Contact Report Receipt Date: NOV 25, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V799000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 16,114 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) RAM PROMASTER 2015 Details Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) SUMMARY: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ram ProMaster vans manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 17, 2015. The affected vehicles have an ignition switch that may experience an intermittent loss of electrical contact. CONSEQUENCE: An intermittent loss of contact can result in a vehicle stall and/or a partial or complete loss of the air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and/or instrument panel cluster. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. REMEDY: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch contact holder block, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R64. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Statement: Ignition Contacts November 27, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 16,114 full-size vans in the U.S.

Reddit user leaks photo of unmasked 2019 Ram 1500

A Reddit user has provided the best look yet at the new 2019 Ram 1500, which will be revealed officially Jan. 15 at the Detroit Auto Show. The photo shows the entire truck, without camouflage, from inside a Fiat-Chrysler plant. Clearly visible is the pickup's new grille, prominent RAM logo, and new, sculpted body. We'd previously seen spy shots of the redesigned front end with factory paint, the interior and its new split chrome bar badge and integrated headlights. Thanks to a long series of leaks dribbling out, here is everything we know about the new Ram 1500. It'll get a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, probably a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 version and possibly a new version of the EcoDiesel V6. It's mostly made of steel, except for aluminum in the hood and tailgate to save weight. Buyers will get the option of a split barn door-style tailgate and advanced safety tech features. Inside will be a vertically oriented touchscreen available with hard buttons for climate control and a volume knob and redundant multi-purpose control knob. Look for all of the official photos plus our own coverage of the 2019 Ram 1500 at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: Reddit Spy Photos Detroit Auto Show RAM Truck