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Ram cutting EcoDiesel option for 1500 pickup

American automakers have no problem selling tons of new trucks every year, but light-duty diesel trucks are going the way of the dinosaurs that power them. Ram announced that 2023 would be the last model year it offers its EcoDiesel powertrain in the Ram 1500. The engine will be available in most configurations of the 2023 truck and can be ordered now. Ram is following Ford’s lead in discontinuing the diesel powertrain option in its full-size truck line. Ford nixed the Powerstroke option for the F-150 in 2021, and once Ram is done, only the Silverado and Sierra will be available with an oil burner option. The GM twins have the advantage of a brand-new Duramax unit, so there will likely be a diesel option on sale there for some time to come. The Ram 1500 was a pioneer in its class, as it was the first half-ton, full-size truck to offer a diesel. The powertrain got a significant overhaul in 2020 after the debut of the all-new fifth-generation Ram trucks. At 3.0-liters, the EcoDiesel V6 produces 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.   Slow sales could be part of the decision, but as Ram CEO Mike Koval Jr. noted in the press release, the brand is looking toward electrification. Simplifying its truck lineup allows Ram the opportunity to shift resources to electric truck development. The automaker has confirmed that it will release a battery-electric truck in 2024 and says it will offer electrified options in most vehicle segments by the end of the decade. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2022 Ram Rebel G/T | Take a closer look tailgate and bed

UPDATE: 8 Ram 1500s stolen, 2 recovered in Warren factory heist

UPDATE: Police and FCA report that the correct number of stolen Ram trucks was eight. Two of them were later recovered — a red truck that apparently ran out of gas, and a white truck that was discovered behind an abandoned building in Detroit. Neither of those trucks showed damage from breaking through the factory gate. Police are now investigating the raid as a possible inside job by current or former employees. "We do believe there was a good possibility that there was inside information given to the persons responsible for the thefts," Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told the Detroit Free Press. "That would include possibly a former or current employee. Obviously they knew where they were going, what they were looking for, what area to cut the fence and get into the lot where vehicles were parked. This was not a random, all-of-a-sudden thought or idea. It was well-planned for probably several weeks." Previous story appears below: Thursday morning, a group of thieves broke into the grounds of Fiat-Chrysler's truck assembly plant in Warren, Mich., where the Ram 1500 is built, and stole roughly 10 brand-new trucks, according to the Detroit Free Press. The newspaper reports that the thieves drove to up a fence in a pickup truck and cut through to get on the property. They then gathered up trucks and drove right out through the main gates. With a starting price of just over $33,000 for a base Ram 1500, the thieves got away with at least $300,000 worth of trucks. The trucks have yet to be found, and it might still be a while. Warren Police Department Commissioner Bill Dwyer told Detroit Free Press that they haven't received any tips on the vehicles. "We have absolutely nothing," said Dwyer. "Why aren't they calling me? We can't do an investigation if they're not working with us." They're still waiting on FCA to give them a list of the trucks' VINs and colors, as well as an exact number instead of the current estimate of 9 to 11. It's not clear if the keys were in the trucks, but an FCA spokesperson told the Free Press, "The company will be assessing security measures at the location and implementing any necessary changes to prevent future incidents." Dwyer said that the heist "was well-planned," and that the vehicles have probably been taken to a pre-arranged location such as a warehouse. It was likely part of an order for stolen trucks, but it's not clear if a crime ring or syndicate is involved.

2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty starts at just over $35,000

Pricing has been announced for the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty models, and they are barely more expensive than the old models. The 2019 Ram 2500 starts at $35,090, just $350 more than the outgoing version. The base 3500 model starts at $36,540, which is only $400 more than before. The chassis cab version starts at $36,445. This pricing keeps the new Ram close to the price of the current price leader, the Ford F-250, which starts at $34,745. Both 2500 and 3500 models come in at less than the current Chevy Silverado 2500HD's base price of $39,095. These prices will get you a Ram Heavy Duty with the standard 410-horsepower 6.4-liter gas-powered V8. For the entry-level Cummins diesel engine with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, you'll need to add $9,100. The high-output Cummins engine with 400 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque is naturally even more expensive at $11,795. Now we also know that full-size trucks can get pretty expensive, and the Ram Heavy Duty is no exception. The most expensive starting price is for the Ram 3500 Limited with the Mega Cab and four-wheel-drive, at $67,050. Adding the high-output Cummins engine would bring that to $78,845. We don't know what options will be available, but we wouldn't be surprised if that particular truck could crest $80,000 with a few extras. Related Video: