2014 Ram 3500 Laramie on 2040-cars

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Thieves stealing Dodge and Ram vehicles right off factory lots

Stellantis-operated storage lots in and around Detroit have been hit by a wave of thefts in recent weeks. Thieves are getting their hands on new, high-end models such as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat by going straight to the source, helping themselves, and driving off. Detroit news channel WDIV Local 4 reported that over half a dozen new cars and trucks have been stolen from various storage lots since the beginning of 2022. On March 10, five Ram trucks were taken from a secured facility in Shelby Township. Several more Ram trucks were stolen on March 8, and one smashed into a semi truck's trailer as it attempted to get away. On March 3, thieves took three Dodge Challenger Hellcat models from a lot in Auburn Hills. And, on February 28, a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and a Dodge Challenger Hellcat were stolen from a lot near the Jefferson North assembly plant. Many of the vehicles that thieves are targeting cost nearly $100,000. Stealing a new car from a storage lot is reportedly easier than it might sound. Citing anonymous sources, WDIV explained that the keys are normally left inside of the vehicles while they're parked on the storage lot, waiting to be dispatched to dealers. Security guards patrol the property, yet the thieves are finding ways to sneak into the lot, hop in a car, and drive off by ramming through the gates. Stellantis told the news channel that the Sterling Heights Police Department is investigating the thefts, and that at least one of the lots is managed by a third-party company. It declined to comment on the number of vehicles stolen or the methods used because the investigation is ongoing. In the meantime, the Sterling Heights Police Department plans to send extra patrol cars to the areas around the storage lots. There's no word on whether the missing cars have been found. And, this isn't the first time that thieves have stolen new V8-powered Dodge and Ram vehicles in the Detroit area. In October 2021, thieves stole four cars from a Dodge and Ram dealership about an hour away from Detroit; one was a rare 2021 Durango SRT Hellcat. All four cars were recovered, though the Durango was stuffed into a wall. And, in May 2018, eight Ram trucks were stolen from a factory in Warren, Michigan, by thieves who got away by driving through the main gates.

2020 Ram 1500 and heavy-duty trucks get Night and Black Edition packages

Ram traveled to the Texas State Fair to introduce a pair of pickups you might not be able to see in the dark. The murdered-out trucks are called Black Edition and Night Edition, respectively. The Black Edition is based on the range-topping Limited variant of the 2020 Ram 1500. It receives -- you guessed it -- a wide panoply of black accents on the grille, tow hooks, bumpers, door handles, and door mirrors. Ram also added black 22-inch alloy wheels and a tonneau cover. The Limited is only offered with a 5-foot-7 cargo box and four doors, but Black Edition buyers can choose two- or four-wheel drive. Engine options include the base gasoline-burning 3.6-liter V6, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, and the mighty 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Rest assured if you plan to work on your own truck, none of the engines receive a coat of black paint, so you'll be able to see what you're doing.  Note that the 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn and Laramie trim levels is already available with a Black Appearance package, which we reviewed this year. Effectively, the Black Edition extends that darkened courtesy to the range-topping Limited.  The Night Edition package is for the Heavy Duty line of trucks, but it looks a lot like the aforementioned Black Edition trim. It adds a black grille with a body-colored frame, black emblems, and black bezels around the lights, and black wheels. Single-axle trucks get 20-inch wheels, while dually models ride on 17-inch alloys with machined pockets.  The Night Edition package is available on the Big Horn and Laramie variants of the 2500 and 3500 models. Ram noted it can only be paired with a Crew Cab or a Mega Cab. Engine options include the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and the 6.7-liter Cummins straight-six turbodiesel with 1,000 pound-feet of torque. FCA says the Ram 1500 Limited Black Edition will be reaching dealers late third quarter 2019, which would be any day now. Buyers who want the Heavy Duty-based model will need to wait until "later fourth quarter." The Black Edition starts at $55,385, including destination, a figure that represents a modest $75 premium over the more colorful model. The Night Edition model carries a base price of $39,690, including destination. Pricing for the standard 2020 Heavy Duty hasn't been announced yet, so we don't know how much the package adds to the truck's bottom line.

Chrysler Group moves around execs in wake of recent departure

Chrysler is busy shuffling executives around in the wake of Ram head Fred Diaz's departure. The automaker has named Reid Bigland (pictured, right) as Diaz's successor in the role of president and CEO of Ram, though Bigland will continue his duties as the head of US sales and the president and CEO of Chrysler Canada. Bigland first came to Chrysler in 2006 from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, so the guy knows a thing or two about trucks.
Meanwhile, Timothy Kuniskis will take over as president and CEO of Dodge. Previously, he served as the head of Fiat in North America and has been with Chrysler in one capacity or another since 1992. His old title now falls to Jason Stoicevich, who will also continue to work as the director of the automaker's California Business Center. Finally, Bruno Cattori will take over as the president and CEO of Chrysler Mexico.
Diaz left his position to take over as a divisional vice president of sales and marketing with Nissan. You can read the full press release on the Chrysler personnel changes below for more information.