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FCA fibbed on sales according to internal report

Following last week's news that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is under investigation by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly fudging sales figures, a new report in Automotive News says an internal investigation at FCA uncovered misreported sales. According to the AN story, 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles from various FCA brands were reported sold by dealers, but no customers existed for those cars. FCA sales chief Reid Bigland has already put a stop to the practice. One potential reason for the practice was to maintain the company's month-to-month sales increase streak, currently at 75 months. In April, FCA added a lengthy disclaimer to its sales announcements: "FCA US reported vehicle sales represent sales of its vehicles to retail and fleet customers, as well as limited deliveries of vehicles to its officers, directors, employees and retirees. Sales from dealers to customers are reported to FCA US by dealers as sales are made on an ongoing basis through a new vehicle delivery reporting system that then compiles the reported data as of the end of each month. "Sales through dealers do not necessarily correspond to reported revenues, which are based on the sale and delivery of vehicles to the dealers. In certain limited circumstances where sales are made directly by FCA US, such sales are reported through its management reporting system." FCA did not provide comment to Automotive News. Click through for the full story and more details. Related Video: Earnings/Financials Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM sales Sergio Marchionne FCA USDOJ reid bigland

2022 Ram 1500, HD lineup and ProMaster all updated with Uconnect 5 infotainment

Uconnect 5 is making its way through the Stellantis portfolio, and today it’s RamÂ’s turn to get the redesigned infotainment system. ItÂ’s coming to all 2022 Ram products, including the Ram 1500, Ram HD lineup and even the ProMaster. The most important of the above products getting Uconnect 5 is the 2022 Ram 1500, though. Ram has adapted its system to run on the vertical 12-inch touchscreen that debuted in that truck. WeÂ’ve enjoyed using the previous version of Uconnect with that screen layout, and given our pleasant experiences with Uconnect 5 already, we have a feeling this update will only make things better. You can check out some of the systemÂ’s nitty gritty details in our Uconnect 5 reveal post, but Ram also spelled out some of the important — and even truck-specific — details for us with its announcement today. For one, the Ram version of Uconnect 5 allows specific customization of the home screen to display a bevy of powertrain gauges during heavy towing scenarios. It also features RamÂ’s “Off-Road Pages” (similar to SRTÂ’s Performance Pages) to give you detailed off-road data for your truck. Fleets should enjoy newly-available telematics data, which is one reason Ram added this new system to the ProMaster (shown just above). Uconnect 5 allows third-party companies to collect data on vehiclesÂ’ status through the cloud in order to better monitor them. Ram suggests this will increase efficiency when it comes to reporting accidents, getting vehicles in for maintenance and making decisions about routes and vehicle appropriation. Of course, added efficiencies ultimately mean less money out of pocket for the folks running the fleet. Just like other Stellantis models with Uconnect 5, the Rams will enjoy wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto (now capable of going full screen on the 12-inch display), an updated navigation system with more capabilities, Amazon Alexa integration for voice services and the ability to be updated via over-the-air updates. Ram did not specify when Uconnect 5 would start appearing in 2022 models, but we suspect itÂ’ll be soon for all of them. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Ram fiddles with 1500 Classic options sheet for 2022

Mopar Insiders took a peek at early order guides for the 2022 Ram 1500 Classic, spotting tweaks to the options list that feel like responses to customer requests. The basic run-of-show doesn't change, next year's Classic coming in Tradesman, Express, SLT, and Warlock. For some reason the SLT has disappeared from the automaker's online configurator at the time of writing, but this could be a temporary pause due to any number of unusual situations in the auto industry happening now. Two years ago, though, the Classic offered nine trims, so rationalization isn't new for the line. Next year will also bring Regular Cabs with the 6'4" or 8' beds, Quad Cabs with the 6'4" bed, and Crew Cabs with the 5'7" or 6'4" bed. The first thing that's new is the step up to Uconnect 5 for the Electronics Group, on the same 8.4-inch touchscreen found across Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler products. MI says the guide also shows Uconnect 4C NAV as a standalone option. At the moment, that's a $795 extra that can only be had on the Warlock, and requires the $795 Electronics Group. MI didn't specify if the other three trims would get the option and if standalone truly means standalone. The only change we spot is no mention of an HD radio, which could be a matter of this being an early order guide, or a victim of the chip shortage, or something else. What's left out of the order guide for now is one convenience item, and one work item we figure Tradesman Classic buyers will miss. The first is the power sunroof, the $1,095 option nowhere to be seen, the second is the Ram Box storage system, the $1,295 also gone AWOL. What's been added are a couple of packages for getting more out of the truck when it's time to hit the dirt. The 2021 Tradesman offers a $745 Off-Road Package for some configurations that bundles tow hooks, a front suspension skid plate, anti-spin rear differential, extra-heavy-duty rear shocks, 265-section all-terrain tires, and either a 3.92 or 3.55 final drive. Next year, according to the guide, the package picks up a couple items offered in the current-gen Ram's Off-Road Package, adding a skid plate for the transfer case, a higher ride height — but we don't know by how much, a full-sized spare tire, and it specifies Yokohama tires. The package costs $840 for the current Ram right now, so the Classic price could go up considering the extra gear. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.