Latest news with #BuckingHemi
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Ram's HEMI mechanical bull theft was a hoax, says sheriff
Michael Bouchard, an Oakland County sheriff in Michigan, is calling "BS" on Ram's claim that its mechanical bull thrill ride was stolen outside of Detroit in Pontiac last weekend. In a Tuesday, Aug. 12, news release from Ram, the company said the $34,000 covering for its "Bucking Hemi" thrill ride — a mechanical bull fashioned to look like a Ram HEMI engine — was stolen as they were breaking down the set of Roadkill Nights, an annual drag racing event held in downtown Pontiac, on Saturday, Aug. 9. The mechanical bull has been part of a Ram marketing campaign, as the brand touts a return to NASCAR and the return of the HEMI V8 engines to its vehicles. The Ram brand said it "is actively collaborating with authorities" and encouraged people to contact local law enforcement regarding the theft if they know anything. They even posted missing flyers on social media. Best summer auto shows: How the Woodward Dream Cruise still drives Detroit's car culture forward Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of Ram, said in the news release, "This is bull----." "Well, it may indeed have been BS," wrote the Oakland County Sheriff's Office in response, late Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 13. Bouchard, whose deputies responded to the scene of Roadkill Nights after receiving a larceny report, said Ram's claim that the mechanical bull was stolen is false. Bouchard said his detectives have concluded the "theft never occurred," alleging that the mechanical bull cover was in Ram's possession the entire time. 'The company never actually lost the bull,' Bouchard said in a news release. 'I find this to be very frustrating and a tremendous waste of valuable investigative time." While the hunt for the stolen bull has concluded, the Sheriff's Office is now considering charges. "Now, we're pivoting to see if a crime was committed by the filing of a false police report,' Bouchard said. A representative at Ram did not immediately respond to a Free Press phone call seeking comment. Liam Rappleye covers Stellantis and the UAW. Contact him: LRappleye@
The Drive
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Someone Stole Ram's V8 Bucking Hemi Mechanical Bull
The latest car news, reviews, and features. First, Harambe, then Peanut the Squirrel, and now, now some terrible person has taken from us Ram's V8-powered mechanical bull, a.k.a. 'Bucking Hemi.' Revealed as a 'symbol of protest,' Ram's new V8 logo is as macho as can be, and rather fitting for a fun carnival ride at the yearly Roadkill Nights events in Pontiac, Michigan. The mechanical bull V8 put in several days of buckin' duty last weekend, but it was reportedly stolen during disassembly. 'What began as a bold symbol of horsepower and rebellion has taken an unfortunate turn. On the evening of Sunday, August 9, at approximately 9:45 pm, following a Ram-sponsored event at Roadkill Nights in Michigan, the Bucking Hemi was stolen during disassembly. A formal report has been filed with local police, and an investigation is underway,' a company spokesperson told The Drive via email. The automaker claims that while this is a tremendous loss, it remains undeterred and is asking the public for help finding its beloved robotic mascot. And for what it's worth, a spokesperson has confirmed that this is not a PR stunt, so yeah, Bucking Hemi is missing for real. Have you seen a parted-out Hemi V8-powered mechanical bull that looks like a robotic Ram? If so, hit up your local authorities and also let us know! Got a tip? Email us at tips@
