2014 Ram 2500 Longhorn on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Feds accuse Fiat Chrysler, UAW of conspiring to break labor laws

DETROIT — Top officials of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the United Auto Workers union conspired to violate U.S. labor laws, federal prosecutors alleged in a court document, saying a former executive at the automaker knew bribes paid to union leaders were designed to "grease the skids" in labor negotiations. U.S. Justice Department officials for the first time called the company and the union "co-conspirators" in a document related to a guilty plea agreed by former Fiat Chrysler director of employee relations Michael Brown. The document was filed with the U.S. District Court in Detroit on May 25. Its contents were reported by the Detroit News on Wednesday. Brown pleaded guilty to one count of concealing a felony. The plea agreement stated that he knew Fiat Chrysler executives authorized $1.5 million in improper payments and travel, liquor, cigars and other goods for UAW officials who served on the union's negotiating committee. Prosecutors say FCA executives paid UAW representatives to influence union business. including collective bargaining on contracts ratified in 2011 and 2015. The government contends money was run through the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center, via false charitable donations and training center credit cards. Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne has said in the past that the misconduct "had nothing whatsoever to do with the collective bargaining process" and the "egregious acts were neither known to nor sanctioned" by the company. Fiat Chrysler had no further comment Monday. Outgoing UAW President Dennis Williams told union leaders at a conference in Detroit on Monday "our leadership team had no knowledge of the misconduct — which involved former union members and former auto executives — until it was brought to our attention by the government." Brown pleaded guilty on May 25, according to court documents, and will be sentenced on Sept. 20. Five other people have pleaded guilty in the government's ongoing investigation into the UAW and Fiat Chrysler, including the wife of a late UAW official, two other former UAW employees, former Fiat Chrysler vice president Alphons Iacobelli and another former Fiat Chrysler employee. Reporting By David Shepardson and Nick CareyRelated Video: Government/Legal UAW/Unions Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM FCA

Ram reveals Man of Steel-themed Superman truck [w/video]

The new Superman film Man of Steel opens in theaters next Friday, June 14th, and Ram is buddying up with the summer blockbuster for some coattail-riding co-promotions. The partnership includes a new 30-second commercial called "Action" that pairs scenes from the film with footage of Ram trucks and a voiceover that says, "Everyone has the ability to do something amazing... Some just do it on a more regular basis." It's nothing too special (we've actually seen most of the Ram footage in other commercials already), but the brand should be happy having its trucks so closely associated with the Last Son of Krypton. Accompanying the TV spot will be a neatly drawn print ad created by DC Comic artist Shane Davis that's destined for the newsprint pages of USA Today.
Lastly, Ram has created a special Man of Steel edition of its Power Wagon truck that will be on display at the movie's premier in New York City next week before traveling the country attending various events and ultimately being auctioned off for charity.
I have a history of lambasting poor attempts at Superman-themed vehicles, but this Man of Steel Power Wagon can hide from Kryptonite in my garage any time. The truck is Dark Ceramic Gray with a special vinyl wrap that adds the textured look of Superman's new suit, and the roof is done in high-gloss black, though you'd need the power of flight to see it on this tall rig. The grille, meanwhile, is finished with Anodized Red accents. The forged aluminum 17-inch black wheels are General Zod-approved and the interior is likewise tastefully upgraded with Superman-themed materials. Lastly, Kal-El's ultimate quad cab is capped with Superman logos front and rear where the traditional Ram logo would normally be.

Ram 2500 HD video shows off new engine, rear suspension

We've already had a chance to drive the 2014 Ram 3500 HD, but the big news for the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty lineup might be centered around the three-quarter-ton 2500 model. Chrysler has released a new video highlighting the new features of the 2014 Ram 2500 HD, including its new optional engine and new rear suspension components.
The video starts by showing off the Ram's new 410-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and then gives us an up-close look at the coil spring, multi-link rear suspension - one of the truck's most important upgrades aimed at delivering a smooth ride. In addition to this coil suspension, the Ram 2500 HD will also be available with a rear air suspension system, which Chrysler says will optimize the truck's hauling abilities with better load leveling and trailer towing.
Scroll down for the walkaround video of the 2500 HD from Chrysler as well as the original press release breaking down all of the truck's new-for-2014 features.