2003 Dodge/mercedes Sprinter 10 Passenger Van on 2040-cars

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7 major automakers to build open EV charging network

A new joint venture established by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis will build a new North American electric vehicle charging network on a scale designed to compete with Tesla's industry-benchmark Supercharger network. The 30,000-plus planned new chargers will accommodate both Tesla's almost-standard North American Charging System (NACS) and existing automakers' Combined Charging System (CCS) options, effectively guaranteeing compatibility with the vast majority of current and upcoming electric models — whether they're from one of the involved automakers or not.  "With the generational investments in public charging being implemented on the Federal and State level, the joint venture will leverage public and private funds to accelerate the installation of high-powered charging for customers. The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) and are expected to meet or exceed the spirit and requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program." Critically, the automakers involved will have a say in how the charging tech is implemented, guaranteeing that the hardware will play nicely with each automaker's in-house charging systems. Hyundai and Kia, for example, were hesitant to jump on board the Tesla NACS bandwagon earlier this year over concerns that the Supercharger network is insufficient for powering the two automakers' 800-volt charging systems; similar tech is used by Volkswagen and Porsche.  In addition to providing much-needed capacity and high-output charging for America's growing fleet of electric cars and trucks, the new network will integrate seamlessly with each automaker's in-app and in-vehicle features, rather than forcing customers to use third-party tools and payment systems, as is the case with some existing public charging infrastructure.  "The functions and services of the network will allow for seamless integration with participating automakersÂ’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences, including reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management and more. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology to further enhance the customer experience," the announcement said.

Dodge Hellcats change their stripes for 2016

If you've been on the fence about ordering up a new Dodge with Hellcat power, this might just provide the extra incentive you were looking for. Starting this month, Dodge is offering a new stripe option, exclusive to its most powerful muscle cars. The SRT Hellcat stripes are now available to order on the top-of-the-line, 707-horsepower versions of both the Charger and Challenger. The dual full-length stripes run all the way up from the front lip, over the grille, up the hood, accentuating the NACA duct, along the roof, down the trunklid, across the rear spoiler, and down the rear bumper. They feature a carbon-fiber texture, and can be ordered with any of eleven colors for an extra $995. Along with the stripes, Dodge has also announced that it is extending the availability of the exclusive Plum Crazy color – which was originally scheduled to expire at the end of December – for another month. The throwback hue can be ordered on Charger and Challenger models ranging from the SXT through the R/T models all the way up to the SRT 392 and Hellcat. 2016 CHALLENGER AND CHARGER SRT HELLCAT MODELS EARN EXCLUSIVE STRIPES, DODGE EXTENDS PLUM CRAZY PAINT - All-new SRT Hellcat dual exterior stripe design adds even more Dodge attitude to 2016 Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models - SRT Hellcat-exclusive dual full-length carbon-fiber pattern stripes provide a customized-from-the-factory look - Dealers will start taking orders for Hellcat stripes in January 2016 - SRT Hellcat dual stripes have a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $995 - Dodge is answering enthusiast demand for Plum Crazy exterior paint with an additional one-month run of the legendary and limited-edition high-impact hue January 8, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - For more than a year, Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models — the fastest and most powerful muscle cars ever with 707 supercharged HEMI® horsepower each — have stormed roadways and drag strips with acceleration blasts to 60 mph in the low 3-second range, generated more than 61 million sensational YouTube video views around the globe, enabled an entirely new generation of Dodge enthusiasts and now for 2016 have been rewarded with their very own Dodge performance stripes.

Stellantis and the UAW reach tentative contract deal to end strike

The United Auto Workers has made a tentative deal with Stellantis that follows a template set by UAW and Ford. The deals will amount to total pay hikes of more than 33% when compounding and cost-of-living are factored in. The contracts will start with an initial increase of 11%. "We look forward to welcoming our 43,000 employees back to work and resuming operations," Stellantis said on Saturday. The Ford and Stellantis agreements will have to be ratified by all workers. U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement the Stellantis "contract is a testament to the power of unions and collective bargaining to build strong middle-class jobs." The deal includes an agreement to reopen Stellantis' assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, which will now build midsize trucks, Fain said in a video on social media. The trucks could compete against Ford's Ranger and GM's Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models. The factory was previously shuttered and became a rallying point for the union's bargaining campaign. Stellantis also agreed to build a battery plant next to the Belvidere plant, UAW said. Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker called the agreement a "huge win for Illinois" and said the state will offer incentives to help offset the automaker's costs. Stellantis will also keep open two facilities that were under threat of closure -- an engine manufacturing complex in Trenton, Michigan, and a machining operation in Toledo, Ohio, Boyer said. In all, the automaker committed $19 billion in new investments in U.S. operations and the creation of 5,000 jobs where previously it planned to cut 5,000 jobs, Fain and Boyer said. The UAW has won the right to strike over product investment decisions, Fain said. The United Auto Workers on Saturday expanded its strike against General Motors to include its Spring Hill, Tennessee, engine plant, a move that could stall GM's large pickup production and increase its financial pain. The expansion of the seven-week strike leaves GM the only Detroit automaker without a contract deal.  Those deals won workers a record 25% jump in wages over the 4-1/2-year contract and allow the companies to restart their profitable truck assembly lines. At GM, people familiar with the bargaining said sticking points in the UAW negotiations include retirement benefits and issues related to temporary workers. GM has more retirees than either Ford or Stellantis and increases to pension benefits for workers hired before 2007 cost GM more than its rivals.