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Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn Southfork Edition returns for 2022

Ram has steadily banged out packages and upgrades this year for the 2022 1500 pickup. So far we've had the Mopar-assisted G/T, the off-road ready Backcountry, the luxed-up, celebratory Limited 10th Anniversary, and new Uconnect 5 infotainment. At the same time, the brand that topped the 2021 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study has reworked how options and packages can be combined in order to keep the assembly lines running. Mopar Insiders reports that there's another special package coming for next year called the Longhorn Southfork Edition. This returns a name last seen in 2018 on the Laramie Longhorn Southfork Edition, but for next year it starts with the top standard trim to become the Limited Longhorn Southfork Edition.  Three years ago, the Southfork made do with a couple special colors and lots of extra leather and suede. Since this new one starts with the Limited there will be plenty of hide, as well as suede in places like the door bolsters, plus laser filigree detailing and a Mopar bright pedal kit. The special interior hue is called Mountain Brown. But the 2022 Southfork gets a tad more rugged utility, the Bed Utility Group comprising Mopar's deployable bed step, four adjustable tie-down hooks, and pick-up bed LED lighting, as well as a spray-in bedliner and Ram's Multifunction tailgate. The package sticks with the standard 20-inch painted and polished wheel, here wrapped in Falken Wildpeak A/T tires that usually require adding the Off-Road Group.   MI's dealer sources say the Limited Longhorn Southfork Edition will start at $1,295. Assuming the 2022 Ram 1500 Limited pricing doesn't increase from its present $62,645 after destination and the package can be bought standalone, a buyer can get away for around $63,940 if opting for the sole no-cost exterior color of Ivory White Tri-Coat.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Ram pickups to keep it steel through 2020

One of the hottest topics in the industry these days is automakers' expanding use of aluminum, especially for vehicle bodies and platforms. While the lightweight metal has historically been the preserve of premium brands and sports cars, Ford shocked the industry when it announced that its 2015 F-150 would go aluminum-intensive for its new generation. As it turns out, the material change doesn't even mean a big jump in the prices for most of its trims. Possibly in reaction to the big change, General Motors is said to be using the lightweight metal in its next-gen trucks, too. That only leaves Ram as an open question among the domestics, and at least for now, the company is apparently in no hurry to push tin.
According to Reuters speaking with two, unnamed insiders, the Ram 1500 isn't getting an aluminum infusion until sometime after 2020. That's not to say the truck is going to be stagnant for the next half-decade or more, of course. According to Ram's five-year plan, there's a refresh for the 1500 coming in 2015 and much bigger changes on the way in 2017. Those same sources tell Reuters that further revisions aren't expected until at least 2021, which is when the aluminum could be added.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne hasn't minced words about his thoughts on using the lightweight metal in pickups. "I have better use of aluminum in this house than a pickup truck," he said in May. Having said that, Marchionne was clear that if the material turns out to be revolutionary in the segment, the company would be willing to follow.

Certain Chrysler owners eligible for buyback program

Certain car owners whose Chrysler vehicles contain dangerous defects will soon have a way to get rid of their lemons without losing money. As part of an agreement with federal regulators, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has agreed to buy back more than 500,000 vehicles susceptible to veering out of control without warning at above market-value prices. The deal mainly covers certain models of RAM trucks, the Dodge Dakota pickup and Dodge Durango SUV. Further, owners of more than 1.5 million Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokees at heightened risk for lethal fires are eligible to trade in their vehicles at above market value or, alternately, get a gift certificate if they prefer to have repairs made. Chrysler has "a heavy responsibility to make sure the products they make are safe for the traveling public," said Mark Rosekind, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "... Here, we are sending an unambiguous signal to industry that if you skirt the laws or violate the law, or don't live up to the responsibility that consumers expect, we are going to penalize you." The buy-back and trade-in options for motorists come as part of an unprecedented penalty NHTSA slapped against Chrysler for violating federal motor-vehicle safety laws. Chrysler will pay a $105 million fine, the highest ever levied by the regulatory agency. In addition to the buy-backs, Chrysler also agreed to an independent monitor for three years. Investigators had outlined problems in the company's conduct in 23 recalls that affected more than 11 million defect vehicles. As part of a consent-order agreement, Chrysler acknowledged it did not notify vehicle owners of recalls in an effective manner and did not notify NHTSA of safety problems. Though those recalls affected millions of drivers, the buy-back and trade-in options are only for a small portion of the vehicles involved. Because Chrysler struggled to fix the problem and no repair was apparent, Rosekind said the buy-backs are reserved "for customers who didn't have a remedy." Buy-backs are for trucks and SUVs affected by three recalls that occurred in 2013 (recalls 13V-038, 13V-527 and 13V-529), that addressed a rear-axle pinion nut that could come loose and cause a loss of vehicle control. Those recalls covered 579,228 vehicles, including 2009-2012 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks, 2009-2012 Dodge Dakotas, 2009 Chrysler Aspen and the 2009 Dodge Durango.