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FCA CEO says the Ram 1500 Classic will live on, might even get an update

Ram intends to keep selling the 1500 Classic pickup truck for an unknown amount of time. According to a report from Motor Trend, FCA CEO Mike Manley during the company’s second-quarter earnings call said there are no plans to discontinue the old truck. Not only this, but Manley also suggested that Ram could give the Classic an update. In case you werenÂ’t familiar with RamÂ’s strategy of selling the 1500 Classic alongside the regular 1500, weÂ’ll lay it out for you: Ram released a completely new 1500 for the 2019 model year. Instead of discontinuing the truck it was selling before the new model, Ram continues to produce it under the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic name. Despite it being a 2019 model year truck, the Classic is the last-generation Ram. This is done so that Ram can offer customers a full-size truck option than is cheaper than the fancy new truck is capable of dipping down to. The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic starts at $29,340, whereas the regular 1500 has a base price of $35,135. If that makes a difference for enough people, then it makes financial sense for the old truck to stick around. However, Ram appears to be considering giving the old truck some new tricks, according to Manley. If that idea comes to fruition, then the Classic will start to look like an even better value proposition than it is today. Ram would have to act quickly, though, as the old truck just accelerates its aging by the day as each new pickup hits the market. Sales of the Classic were certainly an important contributor in the battle with Chevy to takeover the number two spot in the pickup wars. An even more attractive offering for the same low price sounds like a short-term winner to us. If Ram does refresh the 1500 Classic for 2020, donÂ’t expect it to last much longer beyond that model year, though. ItÂ’s already on life support at this point, and the new 1500 feels years ahead of it in every way.

Watch the video that inspired Ram's Farmer Super Bowl commercial

Chrysler may have the Super Bowl's most popular commercial for a third year in a row. Eminem and Eastwood helped it earn that distinction the last two years, and while Oprah did the voiceover for this year's Jeep ad, it's Chrysler's other spot that's in the running for Most Valuable Ad after the big game this year.
So where did the Ram brand's commercial about farmers come from? As it turns out, the ad appears to be inspired, shall we say, by a video produced by Farms.com that was uploaded to YouTube in June, 2011. Greg Mitchell of The Nation pointed out the similarities between the two in an article published this morning. The video uses the same speech given by famed radio broadcaster Paul Harvey played over a slideshow of farming images. It's the same concept as Ram's ad, though the truck brand did go out and commission its own images shot by very well-known photographers for its version.
Did Ram steal the idea? That does not appear to be the case. A message left on the Farms.com YouTube video says "Farms.com is pleased to be working with Ram Trucks and support the 'Farmer' Super Bowl commercial." When you play the video, a link even pops up to watch Ram's version.

Jeep, Ram EcoDiesels recalled for fuel pump failures

Stellantis is recalling nearly 140,000 Jeep and Ram models equipped with its 3.0-liter EcoDiesel six-cylinder to address potential high-pressure fuel pump failures that can render vehicles undrivable.  Per the company's defect report, 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2014-2019 Ram 1500s shipped with a pump that can fail prematurely. While little detail about the issue was provided, it appears as though Stellantis expects the failures to come on gradually, rather than spectacularly, meaning drivers may notice noise from the pump or even a check engine light before the vehicle becomes undrivable.  "A HPFP failure may introduce internally failed component debris into the fuel system potentially causing fuel starvation," the report said. "Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of motive power, which can cause a vehicle to crash without prior warning." Stellantis says it is aware of more than 200 incidents of premature pump failure within the recall population, however no accidents or injuries have been associated with the problem. Customers should begin receiving notices in late July or early August.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel Inside and Out