2014 Ram 1500 Tradesman/express on 2040-cars

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Ram confirms Fiat Doblo-based ProMaster City for North America

As Sergio Marchionne flies back and forth between Turin and Auburn Hills, he doesn't just bring Chryslers back with him to Italy to sell as Lancias. He also brings Fiat products to sell Stateside under various Chrysler labels, chief among them Ram.
The former Dodge truck brand launched the Fiat Ducato as the Ram ProMaster earlier this year, giving it a greater foothold in the commercial vehicle market and a replacement for the Sprinter which Mercedes-Benz took back from its Chrysler-partnership days. Now Auburn Hills has announced that Ram will begin selling the Fiat Doblo on this side of the Atlantic as the Ram ProMaster City.
The Doblo, which was twice named International Van of the Year, has sold over 1.3 million units worldwide. Whether that includes the rebadged version which Vauxhall and Opel sell as the Combo is another matter, as is the question over how much longer Fiat and General Motors will continue that particular partnership as the ties between Fiat and Chrysler deepen.

FCA looking into Ram-based SUV, midsize pickup

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is looking into manufacturing a large SUV based on the Ram 1500 pickup truck's current platform, reports USA Today. If built, the SUV would compete against the Chevrolet Tahoe and could even spawn a smaller pickup. Ram already has most of the bases covered with its current lineup, but a smaller pickup truck would allow it to enter the booming midsize pickup segment where it would compete with the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma along with the Chevy Colorado and GMC, which are the newest entries. Mike Manley, head of Fiat Chrysler's Jeep and Ram brands, told USA Today that the current platform found in the Ram 1500 could be utilized for a body-on-frame SUV. With a large SUV, FCA would be able to capitalize on the ever-growing SUV market and go toe-to-toe with General Motors (GM) and Ford. The next-generation of Ram pickup trucks is expected to go on sale in early 2018, which would put a large SUV close behind. In an attempt to increase the automaker's production capacity, FCA also plans to move Ram's current production facility from Warren to Sterling Heights, MI. With Jeep continually posting healthy numbers, it makes perfect sense for FCA to build more SUVs. GM currently uses the same platform on a plethora of its SUVs with good results, which makes FCA's proposed plan a viable option. Related Video: News Source: USA Today, Scott Olson/Getty RAM Truck SUV

Omaze is giving away a luxurious, custom Ford F-250 off-roading machine

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. No donation or payment necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. See official rules on Omaze.  Enter to win this giveaway or any other Omaze experience between now and November 26, 2020, use code UNWRAP300 and receive 300 bonus entries. Winning this sweepstakes will be the best Black Friday deal you’ll ever find. Personally, IÂ’m not much of a heavy-duty pickup guy. I donÂ’t have a camper to tow, nor the garage space for a big truck. But I can appreciate them. Driving a Ram Power Wagon off-road in the Nevada desert is boatloads of fun. If you need to tow 15,000 pounds and love off-roading, thereÂ’s nothing better than a heavy-duty pickup, and this custom F-250 that Omaze is giving away is one youÂ’d love to take off-road in the wide open space of a desert. Win a Custom Ford F-250 4x4 Diesel and $20,000 - Enter at Omaze This truck, customized by LGE-CTS, is a monster. It features a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel under the hood that produces 475 horsepower and over 1,000 lb-ft of torque, 1,050 to be exact. You read that right. Four-figure torque. It also has a towing capacity of 15,000 pounds and a payload of 3,320 pounds.  Here are some of the other off-road customizations, according to Omaze: “Baja Forged 5” bulge carbon fiber fenders and bed sides, Baja Forged front and rear tubular bumpers, bed cage spare tire rack, rigid light bar and accessory lights, Warn 9,500-lb winch, ICON Stage 5 Coilover conversion suspension with 3.5” lift, 8” Method wheels w/ 37” Toyo tires, Banks cat-back exhaust, iDash and Pedal Monster.” While it may look like an off-road brute on the outside, the interior is all luxury, with a panoramic sunroof, and luxurious leather heated and cooled seats. Another addition to the interior: $20,000 in cash. And like most Omaze giveaways, taxes and delivery fees are covered, so you can spend that cash however you want. The best part is that every donation supports First Responders ChildrenÂ’s Foundation, which, for almost two decades, “has provided financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant hardships due to tragic circumstances.