Ford and Chrysler Group Recalling Certain Models

The Chrysler LLC Group and Ford Motor Co. have announced two separate (and not related) recalls on some of their vehicles.

Starting with Ford, the Detroit automaker is recalling a total of 33,728 of its 2010MY Transit Connect vans manufactured from December 5, 2008 through May 31, 2010 over a potential safety issue concerning the retention pushpin located on the headliner above the B-pillar trim on both sides of the vehicles.

Ram Van 2012 Cargo Review

The Ram Cargo Van - Ram C / V - strong features sliding doors, windows and panels, backlight rear privacy glass in the windows clear. However, buyers are able to equip their Carnero C / V with various combinations of solid and glass panels, including a choice of solid or backlit glass.

"We are seeing a growth in class 1 in the light commercial vehicle market," said Fred Diaz, president and CEO - Ram trucks and carry the brand U.S. sales executive Chrysler LLC. "With its ability to first class, and low total cost of ownership, versatile cargo vans RAM is an excellent choice for small business and commercial fleets."

Ram Van Cargo also receive a structural aluminum floor at the rear of the load. Two flooring options available, one with a flat, continuous surface high capacity. A second floor offers an option through the floor access to three exclusive storage bins and securing the ground.
 

2012 Ram Cargo Van

Over 25 years of technology behind the minibus, and the inventor of the first minivan-based van, truck brand Ram to understand the different needs of companies large and small. Ram C / V, comfort features and take advantage of the city-friendly dimensions, which made the minivan segment leader Chrysler Group, to maximize the attributes of the load, comfort and functionality.

Ram C / V offers small businesses many competitive advantages. Among them, Ram C / V, Class 1 commercial vehicle primary of 1800 lbs. load cargo and category exclusive towing capacity up to 3,600 kg. A fuel tank 20 gallons and 25 mpg highway also offer the best in class off fuel.

Ram Cargo Van is designed to meet the needs of small businesses and commercial. A commercial listening to heavy rolling and leveling suspension for a maximum capacity of skidding. A heavy transmission cooler and heavy oil cooler help to meet the requirements of the powertrain heavier. Ram C / V is also designed with a single hydraulic power assistance rack and pinion steering, front anti-roll bar and rear axle twist with coil springs. Ram C / V has a maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 8750 pounds.

Electronic stability control (ESC), a commercial truck tuned to the links of the tire pressure monitoring (TPM), a four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), and ideal for a command to switch places, Ram Truck offers comfort capabilities and good road manners.

The new Pentastar V-6 engine.

At the heart of Ram Cargo 2012 is new, 3.6-liter Penta Star V-6 engine mated to a smooth evolution six-speed automatic. The Penta Star V-6 is a high-tech, high-performance engine with variable timing, hitting the sweet spot between power and efficiency. It offers best in class horsepower (283) and torque (260 lb.-ft.) without sacrificing fuel economy.

Ram C / V is also the choice of a new driver fuel eco-fashions. Drivers can change the gearbox transaxle time flipping the switch to maximize fuel economy.

In addition, a rear spoiler and reduces brake caliper and slide the rear bearing Ram Van contribute to charge first class, excellent aerodynamics and fuel economy.

The Interior.

When Chrysler Group's minivan assembly was updated for 2011, the interiors were a world-class makeover.

A modern, new instrument panel in one piece is more intuitive for the customer with better ergonomics and more, redesigned gauges. Trim rings in the console and room temperature blue-green light and allow passengers to find items they are looking into the night.

With 144.4 cubic feet of interior storage, the driver Ram C / V segment, and unlike other competing classes a lot of room to carry four 4x8 sheets of building materials give. Cargo access is maximized by the front seats, Ram C / V rear door and two sliding doors.
 

2012 Ram Cargo Van

Exterior.

The new 2012 Ram Van also benefits from the redesign of the Chrysler Group minivans outside gives passengers. External improvements include a new front fascia, hood and new headlights quad. The new sculpted rear-end, and the product divisions and the LED taillights complete the look from front to back.

Ram Van Ram stands out prominently badging, front and rear.

The standard equipment.

Ram Van Paint features monochromatic color scheme with the Body-colored front and rear bumpers and side moldings. You will also receive a special chrome C / A code image.

Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, 160-amp charger, 20 gallon fuel tank, all at an extra-load tires, 730-amp battery maintenance, commercial, temporary, engine oil cooler, quad halogen headlamps The load leveling and height adjustment, power rack and pinion steering and power mirrors with external cabinet heater.

Inside, Ram Cargo Van gets air conditioning with dual temperature control zone, an instrument cluster with 120 kmh speedometer and tachometer, outside temperature indicator, overhead console, a passenger assist post- handles, 120-volt power additional front and rear 12-volt power outlets continuous air filtering, audio jack for mobile devices, the Auto Stick Automatic transmission, cloth low-back bucket seats, accents "Ram" inside door courtesy lights driver and passenger side sun visors with mirrors, Auto-dimming mirror mirror, dual glove boxes, front courtesy / map lights, delayed stop light, space observation mirror, a floodlamp hatchback, lower tray Storage of the dashboard, two sliding doors with a warning alarm, power locks, front power windows, rear room, cruise control, audio steering wheel controls, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, start to peak and windscreen variable intermittent wipers.

Safety features include active head restraints, advanced multistage front airbags, four disc brakes with ABS, a lock-ready anchor system for child seat, a sensor for monitoring tire pressure, drivers side inflatable airbags force knee, electronic stability control, remote keyless entry with engine immobilizer and a tire pressure monitoring system of the lamp.

The Ram 2012 Cargo Van is available in four paint colors: bright silver metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Stone White and True Blue Pearl.

Ram Cargo Van Options include a heater, media center with 30 GB hard drive and 6.5-inch touch screen, audio jack for mobile devices, the Garmin ® navigation system, rearview camera ParkView ®, a Mopar ® load floor mats, Mopar exterior vinyl blind, Mopar Divide a full load width, power driver's seat with eight-way lumbar adjustment, front and rear power windows, security alarm, Sirius Satellite Radio and UConnect hands- free voice commands with Bluetooth ® remote control USB port, Auto-dimming mirror mirror, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Heated rear window, rear wiper and washer and supplemental side curtain airbags.

Ram Van 2012 built the assembly of the Chrysler Group, Windsor (Ontario) plant and will go on sale in the third quarter of 2011. Ram Van replaces the Dodge Grand Caravan C / V, the product configuration of the Chrysler Group. Prices announced closer to launch.

Chrysler Recalls 243,000 Ram Pickup Trucks over Steering Flaw

Chrysler�s Ram brand has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Association that it is recalling 242,780 pickup trucks over a steering failure that could lead to �a loss of directional stability�.
The safety agency reported that the left tie rod ball may fracture during low speed parking maneuvers when the driver is making a sudden turn. This could lead to the loss of directional stability in the left front wheel.

Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers, Lincoln Places Last in Luxury Segment

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 �secret shoppers� and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car�s features to closing a deal.
This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper�s study.

Pickup Trucks Inventories Rising, Manufacturers are Worried

It seems like US carmakers are beginning to worry about the rising inventory of their big pickup trucks. For example, General Motors has an inventory of 122 days (or 4 months) of its Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra according to a report from Reuters, or 50% higher than the typical industry inventory of 80 days.
But GM isn�t the only automaker in distress. Chrysler, Toyota and Ford also are behind their projected sales, with 93 days inventory for the first two makers and 79 days for the third respectively.

2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman

2011 Ram 1500 Review retailer

Artisan is a set of value-priced options designed to meet the needs of small business owners work hard, construction sites and commercial fleets.

"The artisan named Ram - and is - in the heart of our business," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, brand Ram trucks, Chrysler LLC. "This is a hard working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for money are the three main considerations for our customers. Your truck is the most important tool that they own, and they will use every day. Artisan Arles is a truck they can trust. "
 

Ram merchant offers better performance for the price of other work trucks. For example, Ram begins with the popular merchant package Ram 1500 ST seat and adds useful features like a HEMI engine with standard five-speed automatic, which balances power with fuel efficiency. HEMI-equipped Ram 1500 year are estimated at 390 hp / 407 lb-ft of torque and 20 mpg highway (4x2).

Also included in the package is a standard commercial Hitch Class IV, this bumper jacks four-and seven-pin trailer. Merchant has also weighed the engine cooling and an oil cooler heavy transport. Models equipped merchant who offers the best in class standard of physical work truck, tow 10.450 lbs.

Ram 1500 dealer has a sturdy, good-looking 17-inch full-face-painted steel wheels with an exclusive retailer.

All models Ram 1500 as a merchant, a segment exclusive feature of the multi-link rear coil springs, which offers the best in class, ride and handling characteristics. Coil-spring setup to focus and absorb shocks and impacts, and to reduce the irritation of the spring system. This setup also weighs 40 pounds less than the leaf spring assembly.

Merchant Ram is available in a regular cab short bed (6 feet 4 inches) and a long bed (8 feet) model, with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 transmissions.

Buyers can choose between vinyl or cloth seats 40/20/40 split bench in dark slate and medium-sized businesses Graystone, and is carpet or vinyl flooring.

Other standard equipment includes a 160-amp charger, 17-inch steel wheels, parts and a full-size spare wheel, 26-gallon (6-ft 4-in. Bed) or 32-gallon (8-ft. B ) fuel tank, 3.55 axle ratio, 700-amp battery maintenance, bright chrome grille, Cargo bed lamp, heavy duty shock absorbers front and rear, front and rear bars, halogen lamps, locking tailgate, the rear wheel and coatings , rack and pinion, rear ceiling, and Sentry Key theft-deterrent system.

Standard interior features air conditioning, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, a multimedia center with CD and MP3 player, six speakers, the audio interface for mobile devices, automatic headlights, seat back storage driver and passenger assist handles, dashboard , tachometer, tilt steering, tinted glass, variable intermittent wipers.

Standard safety features have developed multi-stage front airbags, side airbags, and additional first curtain, electronic stability control, anti-lock four wheel disc brakes, front height adjustable shoulder straps, and connections for monitoring tire pressure.

Ram is available in bright metallic silver merchant, glossy white, glossy black crystal pearl, deep cherry red crystal pearl blue, pearl, fire red, hunter green gem, mineral, metallic gray, barren pearl brown or white gold metallic.

A long list of options is available including the freighter 3.21 and 3.92 axle ratio, anti-spin differential, chrome exhaust tip, chrome front and rear bumpers, heated mirrors, locks, electric windows, remote keyless entry, locking Motor heater, trailer tow folding mirrors, courtesy lights, and additional signals, rubber floor mats, Mopar chrome running boards and bed rails, rear sliding window, spray-in bedliner, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect voice command, bluetooth, remote control, USB port, Auto-dimming rearview mirror, trailer towing equipment, cruise control, tire pressure display, a vehicle information center, and a brake controller, trailer.

Merchant Ram is also available with Goodyear Wrangler tires robust low puncture resistance and better traction off road.

Ram trucks come with an unbeatable 5-year powertrain warranty 100,000 mile. Truck customers - half a ton to trade - have a range of demanding needs and require their vehicles to provide a high level of capacity. With their proven powertrain, chassis proven, low cost of ownership, Ram trucks designed for maximum productivity and "uptime. "Ram 1500, 2500, is 3500 pickups and chassis cabs designed to deliver a package to customers of the company.

Prices start craftsman Ram $ 22 780, including $ 975 destination charge. Artisan will go on sale in the second quarter of 2011.