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FCA is setting a five-year strategy: Here's how the last one played out

We're slightly more than four years removed from Sergio Marchionne last five-year plan for FCA, a tell-all where the Italian-American automaker divulged its plans for the 2014 through 2018 model years. It was a grand affair, where Sergio told FCA investors that all was right in Auburn Hills, Alfa Romeo and Maserati were making comebacks, and the fifth-gen Dodge Viper received a mid-cycle refresh. You can read every last one of those past predictions right here. We're on our way to Europe to see Sergio's sequel, coming out Friday straight from FCA's Italian headquarters. (Bloomberg reports a plan to expand Jeep and Ram globally, combine Alfa Romeo and Maserati into a single division for an eventual spinoff, and downsizing Fiat and Chrysler. Also, EVs.) But before we arrive in Italy and find out exactly what Marchionne has planned for 2019 through 2023 as his last act as CEO, let's take a minute to tally up the results of his last term based on the same scoresheet we used in 2014. Now, we're only five months into 2018, so much of this — including vehicles like the Ram HD and Jeep Grand Wagoneer — could still debut this year. For those, we'll mark things TBD. We're not going to draw any conclusions or make any objectionable remarks. We're simply going to let the stats speak for themselves.

Ram establishes new commercial truck division

To better go after the work truck market that its rivals Ford and General Motors have dominated for some time, the Ram Truck brand of Chrysler is starting a new sub-line of work vehicles called Ram Commercial. Rather than carrying the full Ram Commercial name, each model in the new lineup would wear the Tradesman trim level, which means that the Ram 1500 Tradesman is disappearing for retail buyers only and will still be available for commercial or fleet buyers.
The Ram Commercial lineup will consist of current products like the Ram 1500 Tradesman, Ram Heavy Duty Tradesman pickups and chassis cab trucks, and the Ram C/V Tradesman cargo van, but it will also be adding a new full-size van called the 2014 Ram ProMaster Tradesman based off the Fiat Ducato. It also looks like Ram Commercial will be getting a smaller van from the Fiat Professional brand to go up against small cargo-friendly vehicles like the Ford Transit Connect and Mini Clubvan, but we can't tell if this new model is based on the Fiat Scudo, Doblo and Florino.
Ram Commercial buyers will also benefit from the BusinessLink and "On The Job" programs. Both programs make it easier for businesses to purchase and maintain their fleets.

2019 Ram 1500 truck gets loaded with Mopar goodies in Chicago

Last month saw the debut of the all-new 2019 Ram 1500. While there are a slew of variants coming down the pipe (Ram 1500 Tradesman, Ram 1500 Sport, etc.), Ram used the 2018 Chicago Auto Show to showcase a whole host of Mopar parts and accessories on a bright-red 2019 Ram. In total, there will be more than 200 new parts available when the new Ram hits dealer showrooms later this year. The truck here is a Flame Red 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Sport 4x4. It's sporting a 2-inch lift kit, 35-inch tires, 18-inch beadlock wheels, black fender flares and black aluminum running boards. The bed has the adjustable "Ram Rack," a sort of frame that can be used to strap down large items like a couple of kayaks. The rear bumper has a bed step that articulates outward when needed. The Nissan Titan has a similar feature. View 9 Photos There are a few performance upgrades, too, though Mopar doesn't list any new power ratings. There's a new cold-air intake for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that's functional with all of the new Ram's hood designs. The Hemi also gets a new stainless steel catback exhaust system. The 5-inch exhaust tips fit into the bumper. Visually, the Ram gets a black Mopar logo on the hood, black Ram emblems and badges, black tow hooks and a Mopar logo in the trailer hitch. The interior is done up in Katzkin leather with red stitching, and the ram's head logo on the seat backs and rubber floor mats. One of the coolest things about all of these parts is that customers can have them installed before ever taking delivery. Those parts will also be backed by the same warranty as the rest of the truck. Related Video: Image Credit: FCA Aftermarket Design/Style Chicago Auto Show RAM Truck Off-Road Vehicles 2018 Chicago Auto Show