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Ram recalling 1,747 diesel trucks for short-circuit risk

Diesel-powered Ram owners, it's recall time. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced a voluntary recall of 1,747 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels from model years 2014 and 2015. Why so few? Well, this campaign is limited to just rear-wheel-drive models. The problem, this time around, is with a battery wiring harness that will chafe against a bracket if it wasn't assembled properly. This chaffing can lead to a short, causing a loss of power (the best-case scenario) or even a fire (probably the worst-case scenario). Fortunately, FCA is unaware of any accidents, fires, or other injuries caused by short circuits. The affected vehicles were sold in both the US and Canadian markets, although the vast majority of the trucks, 1,697 to be precise, are here in the land of the free and home of the brave. The remaining 50 vehicles were sold in Canada, and were likely purchased by those crazy enough to drive a high-torque, rear-drive pickup in a country almost perpetually covered in snow and ice. Regardless of whether your truck has an illuminated dashboard warning light or not, FCA is encouraging drivers of the affected vehicles to report to dealers for a free service when they receive a recall notice. Scroll down for the official press release from FCA, as well as the bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Statement: Wiring Harness September 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 1,747 trucks in the U.S. and Canada to inspect, reroute and replace – as required – their wire harnesses to prevent a potential short-circuit. An investigation by FCA US discovered a battery wiring harness may chafe against a bracket if assembly protocols were not followed. This condition is limited to vehicles equipped with diesel engines and 4x2 drivelines. Such a condition has the potential to cause a short-circuit, which may lead to power loss or fire. The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or fires. The campaign is limited to certain 2014-15 Ram 1500 pickups. It is estimated there are 1,697 in the U.S. and 50 in Canada. Affected customers will be advised next month when they may schedule service, which will be performed at no cost. While the condition may not be present in every vehicle, FCA US urges customers to note the information on their recall notices and respond accordingly. Illumination of a dashboard warning light is among the indicators that the condition is present.

Stellantis won't race to split electric vehicles from fossil fuel cars

MILAN - Stellantis is not considering splitting its electric vehicle (EV) business from its legacy combustion engine operation, its finance chief said on Thursday, as the carmaker presented above-expectation revenue data for the first quarter. Chief Financial Officer Richard Palmer told analysts he did not see huge benefits in the kind of separations pursued by rivals such as France's Renault and U.S. Ford. "We need to manage the company and the assets we have through this transition," he said. "There are benefits to having the cash flow being generated by the internal combustion business for the investments we need to make." Palmer said the group, formed by a merger last year of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA, was not averse to considering adjusting its structure "but we aren't anticipating any big changes." Palmer's comments came after the world's fourth largest carmaker said its net revenue rose 12% to 41.5 billion euros ($44.1 billion) in the January-March period, as strong pricing and the type of vehicles sold helped offset the impact of the semiconductor shortage on volumes. That topped analyst expectations of 36.9 billion euros, according to a Reuters poll. Milan-listed shares were up 0.5% by 1415 GMT, in line with Italy's blue-chip index. The impact of the chip crunch was evident in the decline in shipment figures which fell 12% in the quarter to 1.374 million vehicles. It was a similar story for Germany's BMW which posted higher revenues on Thursday and a decline in car sales. Riding the Recovery Stellantis, whose brands also include Citroen, Jeep and Maserati, confirmed its 2022 forecasts for a double-digit adjusted operating income margin, after 11.8% last year, and a positive cash-flow despite supply and inflationary headwinds. Morgan Stanley analysts said after the results that Stellantis had better management than many peers and benefited from its significant exposure to a stronger U.S. economy and a European recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. They also said it was less affected by a slowing Chinese economy. Palmer said it was important for the group to maintain double-digit margins and keep delivering positive cash flows. "A 12% increase in revenue with a 12% decrease in volumes indicates a very strong performance on price and mix, which augurs well for our margin performance," he said. He said semiconductor supply problems were expected to ease this year with continued improvements in 2023.

FCA plants skipping summer shutdown to keep up with demand

Hopefully, some FCA US factory employees don't have big plans for the usual summer shutdown, because the automaker is keeping several plants running this year. Demand is so high that the company wants to keep models rolling off the assembly lines. Four FCA US assembly plants, all the engine factories, and some locations that build transmissions are staying open throughout the summer, according to the Detroit Free Press. Usually, these sites would see a two-week shutdown for the company to retool and perform repairs. This year, factories are staying open for FCA to support its strong sales. The lines that remaining humming through the summer show an inclination toward the automaker's popular SUV's and crossovers. They include the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Michigan that builds the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango; Saltillo Van Assembly in Mexico that constructs the Ram ProMaster; Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio that produces the Cherokee and Wrangler; and Toluca Assembly in Mexico that makes the Dodge Journey and Fiat 500. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit Free PressImage Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM FCA dodge journey fca us ram promaster Jefferson North Assembly Plant