2024 Ram 1500 Tradesman on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2017 Ram EcoDiesel trucks hitting dealerships again, finally

If you've been patiently waiting for 2017 Ram EcoDiesel trucks to hit dealerships near you, you're in luck. According to Automotive News, the diesel-powered pickups are now hitting showroom floors after FCA received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency in late July to begin producing them again. And you may want to get in line now, because the EPA has yet to approve the EcoDiesel for the 2018 model year. The EPA, along with the California Air Resources Board, accused FCA in January of 2017 of using eight undeclared pieces of software code in certain Fiat Chrysler diesel vehicles. That, naturally, led to "substantially" higher than allowable levels of nitrogen oxide emissions. The violation applies to about 104,000 vehicles sold between 2014 and 2016. EcoDiesel production was stopped in late 2016. FCA says it's continuing to cooperate with the EPA and CARB. Assuming the two agencies approve the plan, the automaker will recall 2014-2016 Ram and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to install the new code. We'd assume that same updated software will be used in 2018 EcoDiesels, too, again assuming they get EPA approval. Related Video:

Ram Laramie Longhorn becomes the most luxurious Ram around

Dallas, Texas - This year's Texas State Fair was all about the deluxe trucks. Ford introduced its super-plush Limited trim for the Super Duty trucks. Ram did the same with its new Laramie Longhorn Southfork trim level. It's the new top-level luxury option for Ram, and it's available on heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 Rams as well as the light-duty 1500. The Southfork builds upon the flashy Longhorn trim level, which we aren't particularly fond of, mainly due to the tacky leather filigree pattern stickers, the plastic, barbed wire accents, and strange rose gold finish. Those elements are all still present on the Southfork. It does retain good points, like leather everywhere. Ram touts the leather's presence on the fronts, backs, and sides of the seats, as well as on the door panels. Southfork-exclusive features include a new pale ivory leather called Light Frost Beige, which is accented by a dark brown leather. The roof and pillars are also now covered in suede, which certainly upgrades the feel of the interior. There's real walnut and ash wood trim on the steering wheel and elsewhere in the cabin. Since the Southfork is the top of the line Ram trim, it carries a high price. The 1500 model starts at $52,615, and the 2500 starts at $57,015. The trim is only available on crew cab and Mega Cab trucks, but can be had with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and with short or long beds. See it for yourself in the image gallery above. Related Video:

Fiat Chrysler's Q3 profit boosted by strong North American earnings

MILAN, Italy — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) reported a 17 percent jump in third-quarter adjusted operating profit on Tuesday, helped by a strong performance in its key North American market and improving operations in Europe and Latin America. The world's seventh-largest carmaker still makes the lion's share of its profits in North America, so improving, or at least maintaining, its margins there is a key focus. The carmaker reported an 8 percent adjusted operating profit margin in the region, up from 7.6 percent a year ago, despite a drop in sales and shipments. "FCA's profitability in North America remained strong in the quarter despite a weakening market there," a Milan-based analyst said. FCA's profitability compares with an 8.3 percent North America margin reached in the quarter by bigger U.S. rival GM , showing CEO Sergio Marchionne making progress towards his goal of closing the margin gap with GM and the company's other U.S. rival, Ford, by 2018. The company's confirmation of its full-year outlook also pushed shares higher, a trader added. The stock was up 2.8 percent by 1129 GMT, outperforming a 1 percent rise in the European auto index. FCA has been retooling some U.S. factories to boost output of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and trucks while ending production of some unprofitable sedans to strengthen profitability as the U.S. car market comes off its peak. The company said a drop in North America shipments due to lower fleet sales and discontinued models was partially offset by higher deliveries of Ram trucks and two models from the Alfa Romeo stable: the Stelvio sport utility vehicle and Giulia sedan. Profitability also improved in Europe, helped by sales of the Stelvio and the new Jeep Compass, and Latin America, while margins at Maserati remained strong at 13.8 percent due to strong demand for its first SUV, the Levante. In a later conference call, investors are looking for hints on the new strategy to 2022 which the company promised to unveil early next year. Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said earlier this year that FCA would streamline its portfolio and that components businesses, including Magneti Marelli, would be separated from the group, possibly via a spin-off. While FCA confirmed its targets this year, doubts remain about its exposure to a weakening U.S. market, recall costs and potential fines over emissions after it was targeted by European and U.S.