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Feds sue Fiat Chrysler, accuse it of cheating on diesel emissions

WASHINGTON - The US government has filed a civil lawsuit accusing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV of using software to bypass emission controls in diesel vehicles. The Justice Department suit, filed in US district court in Detroit, is a procedural step that may ramp up pressure on Fiat Chrysler. The suit could ultimately help lead to a settlement, as in an earlier probe of rival Volkswagen AG that will cost VW up to $25 billion, but which affected a much larger number of vehicles. VW admitted to intentionally cheating while Fiat Chrysler denies wrongdoing. It did not immediately comment on Tuesday. US-listed Fiat Chrysler shares were down 2.9 percent at $10.44. The suit also names Fiat Chrysler's unit V.M. Motori SpA, which designed the engine in question. Reuters reported last week the Justice Department and EPA have obtained internal emails and other documents written in Italian that look at engine development and emissions issues that raise significant questions. The investigation has scrutinized VM Motori. FCA acquired a 50 percent stake in VM Motori in 2010 and the remainder in October 2013. The lawsuit asserts the Italian-American automaker placed undeclared "defeat devices," or auxiliary emissions controls, in 2014-2016 Fiat Chrysler diesel vehicles that led to "much higher" than allowable levels of nitrogen oxide, or NOx pollution, which is linked to smog formation and respiratory problems. The suit seeks injunctive relief and unspecified civil penalties. EPA said in January the maximum fine is about $4.6 billion. In January, EPA and California accused Fiat Chrysler of illegally using undisclosed software to allow excess diesel emissions in 104,000 U.S. 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks. Fiat Chrysler said on Friday it plans to update software that it expects will resolve the concerns of U.S. regulators about excess emissions in those vehicles. The January notice was the result of regulators' investigation of rival Volkswagen, which prompted the government to review emissions from all other passenger diesel vehicles. Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 to installing secret software allowing its cars to emit up to 40 times legal pollution levels. In total, VW has agreed to spend up to $25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers and offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting US vehicles.

Ram shows off Ignition Orange and Black Sport with standard Hemi engine

If a buyer is even considering a pickup, Ram wants to make sure that it has a variant of the venerable 1500 ready. From the outdoorsy Rebel to the plush Laramie Limited, there seems to be something for even the smallest niche, but apparently that isn't the case. The truck maker adds two more versions later this year with the brash Ignition Orange Sport and subdued Black Sport, and they're limited to 1,000 units each. The Ignition Orange gets eye-grabbing paint over most of the truck, including the trim, except for a few black accents like the hood stripes. The same color gets carried inside for the seat inserts, stitching and logos, too. Alternatively, the Black Sport makes everything dark, including the exterior and 20-inch wheels. Even the interior is clad in black leather with some chrome accents providing some relief. Beyond the special trim, both trucks are based on the Ram 1500 Sport Crew Cab and add $1,595 to the price of one. They come with a 395-horsepower V8, eight-speed automatic and 3.92 gearing. Inside, there's an 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation and rearview camera. There's also a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. Feel free to read more, below. Ram 1500 Offers Two New Buzz Models in Sport Trim Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport features unique interior colors, body-colored accents and limited edition bright orange paint, appreciated up close and at 10,000 feet Ram 1500 Black Sport takes design cues from popular Black Express package, offering customers a customized appearance including black 20" wheels and a sport hood New Ram 1500 Sport buzz models are limited production of 1,000 trucks each March 12, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram Truck brand announced today that it will add two new Ram 1500 buzz models in Sport trim - the Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport and the Ram 1500 Black Sport. "With a standard HEMI® V-8, the Sport model offers unique features for the customer who likes aggressive styling and great performance but still needs a truck," said Bob Hegbloom – President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand. "Adding limited edition Ignition Orange and Black Sport models will give our buyers a custom appearance on an already eye-catching truck with all the capability our customers expect." The limited-edition trucks are available in Crew Cab 4x2 and 4x4.

Ram raises a quick $1 million for farmers with Super Bowl ad

While Chrysler has been behind the Super Bowl's most talked-about commercials for the past few years, this is the first year the automaker has added an element of charity to its marketing plans for the big game.
Chrysler aired a pair of two-minutes ads during the Super Bowl this year, one for Jeep called Whole Again, and the other for the Ram brand called Farmer. As we mentioned earlier in the week, Jeep has promised to give up to $300,000 to the United Services Organization (USO). The brand, whose own history is forever tied to this country's military, will donate $1 for every tweet with the hashtag #joinOSR, or visit to Yahoo.com or the Jeep Operation SAFE Return website.
Ram had somewhat loftier goals, pledging to give up to $1 million to the Future Farmers of America. The plan was to donate $100,000 for every 1 million times the commercial was seen, shared or emailed from its website. Now we have word from Ram brand chief Fred Diaz that the million-dollar goal has been reached less than five days after the ad first aired.