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Chrysler to replace transmissions on 159 2014 Ram 1500s

Some recalls we report on are bigger than others. This one involves a big vehicle, but only 159 of them. No, not 159,000. Just 159.
The vehicle in question is the Ram 1500 - specifically the 2014 model, and more specifically than that, those made over the course of 12 days in late January and early February of this year. According to the statement below, Chrysler was notified by one of its transmission suppliers that a small shipment of gearboxes might have difficulty shifting into Park.
Although the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker says it is unaware of any accidents or injuries having resulted from the issue, and has not received any specific complaints, it is notifying the owners of the 159 trucks in question to bring their pickups in for service and, if necessary, to have the entire transmission replaced.

Fully electric Ram 1500 announced, will begin production in 2024

Ram is fully present and accounted for at Stellantis’ EV Day. The company announced and teased a fully-electric Ram 1500 that is due to be out in 2024. And itÂ’s not just going to be fully revealed in 2024. Ram says itÂ’s going to begin production on the electric pickup that year. Details are scarce on the ground, but Ram teased us with some shadowy images of what we should expect of its electric full-size pickup. It looks almost nothing like the current Ram 1500, with an incredibly sleek profile, full-width front light bar and surprisingly short bed. WeÂ’re not sure how representative this photo will ultimately be of the production pickup, but it looks like Ram is open to big, revolutionary change in pickup design with this product. Specific details about the pickup werenÂ’t talked about, but Stellantis does provide a range estimate for an upcoming “STLA Frame” BEV platform (pictured above) that will undoubtedly underpin this Ram. As of today, Ram says it will offer a range of up to 500 miles. There will surely be lesser versions with smaller battery packs, but a 500-mile range is a great place to start. Ram also said that it would offer fast charging up to 150 kW, smart storage solutions and advanced automation. “With full knowledge of what our competitors are doing, we will surpass their offerings with the Ram 1500 battery electric vehicle built to again redefine the full-size segment," says Mike Koval, Ram CEO. That sounds like a direct shot at the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, but we still haven't seen what GM is cooking up for its electric full-size pickup. Besides the 1500, Ram says it will offer a fully electrified solution “in the majority of our segments by 2025.” RamÂ’s portfolio of vehicles is rather limited, but that suggests weÂ’ll see electric versions of the ProMaster and ProMaster City at some point. The “majority” stipulation in there is likely referring to the Heavy Duty truck segment. There could be EVs there one day, but thatÂ’s certainly the segment that Ram is excluding for the time being.

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