Latest news with #RamTruck
New York Post
a day ago
- Automotive
- New York Post
Ram boss sorry for ‘woke' pivot that killed gas-guzzling engine, brings back growling classic after backlash: ‘We got it wrong'
Ram admitted it screwed up by killing a legacy American-made engine known for its raw power — and is revved up to bring it back after facing major backlash. The automaker had discontinued the beloved HEMI V-8 engine from its 2025 Ram trucks as part of a 'woke' pivot by the since-ousted CEO of parent company Stellantis Carlos Tavares, But new Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, who came out of retirement last last year, offered up a mea culpa over the decision to pull the plug on the engine that powered the top-selling truck for decades. 7 Ram Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis appears in a new ad for the company in which he apologizes for ditching a beloved gas-powered engine. Youtube/Ram Trucks In a newly-released ad, Kuniskis publicly acknowledged the misstep and said Ram is reversing course by bringing back the gas-guzzling HEMI engine in 2026 models. 'We own it. We got it wrong. And we're fixing it,' Kuniskis announces in the commercial. Ram ditched the HEMI as part of its broader push toward meeting stricter emissions regulations enacted by the Biden administration as well as its goal of improving fuel efficiency across its lineup. President Trump administration has pushed to scrap many of Biden's green initiatives. 'When Ram made the decision to discontinue production of the iconic HEMI V-8, the internet erupted, and lifelong loyalists voiced their outrage across social media,' Lindsay Fifelski, head of Ram brand advertising, told Fast Company. 7 Kuniskis is seen in the ad getting behind the wheel of a Ram Truck as it speeds down a NASCAR runway. Youtube/Ram Trucks 'We knew we couldn't market our way around this moment; we had to meet it head-on.' The Ram ad also features screeching tires and Kuniskis narrating over the roar of engines as drives the Ram Truck on a NASCAR track. 'You hear that? That's our HEMI, and it's saying, 'I'm back,'' he bellows, as the truck blazes down the track. A fan chimes in: 'Did he say what I think he said? That thing's got a HEMI!' 'Hell, yeah, it does!' another said. 7 The ad features screeching tires and Kuniskis narrating over the roar of engines as he is drifting, doing doughnuts and taking hot laps on a NASCAR track. Youtube/Ram Trucks Later, amid tire smoke and cheering crowds, Kuniskis leaned into the hype. 'You want more? Buckle up. Ram's coming back to NASCAR,' he said. He offered up one last rallying cry — 'Let's f–king go!' — then ended the commercial with a promise: 'We're back in America's motorsport. The HEMI's back. And we ain't going anywhere.' 7 'You hear that? That's our HEMI, and it's saying, 'I'm back,'' he said, as the truck blazes down the track. Youtube/Ram Trucks Ram and its parent brand Dodge left NASCAR after the 2012 season. The commercial, created by ad agency Argonaut, doubles as an apology and a reintroduction of the HEMI, which is named for the hemispherical shape of the engine's combustion chambers. The HEMI is unique in that the shape of its chambers allows for better airflow, higher efficiency and greater power output. The engine delivers up to 717+ horsepower in supercharged variants and is prized for its durability, low-end torque and distinctive rumble. 7 The HEMI is unique in that the shape of its chambers allows for better airflow, higher efficiency and greater power output. Frisco Dodge The iconic engine was replaced by the new Hurricane lineup of more powerful and efficient 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engines during the refresh of the fifth-generation Ram 1500 light-duty truck. The move aligned with parent company Stellantis' global electrification and downsizing strategy, which emphasized smaller, more efficient powertrains like the Hurricane. The company positioned the Hurricane as more powerful and fuel-efficient than the outgoing V8 — but the decision sparked backlash from loyalists who valued the HEMI's iconic rumble, durability, and cultural significance. 7 The engine delivers up to 717+ horsepower in supercharged variants. RAM Ram's overall sales dropped more than 18% year over year in 2024. Kuniskis told CNBC that he expects the HEMI to account for 25% to 40% of Ram 1500 pickup truck sales in 2025. The renewed interest suggests the company's about-face could deliver not just goodwill, but a needed boost at the dealership level. 7 Ram Trucks and its parent company Stellantis are joining other automakers in moving away from full electrification of their fleets. Youtube/Ram Trucks Stellantis, the fourth largest automaker in the world — whose portfolio of brands includes Ram, Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler, Peugeot and Jeep — is just the latest automaker to scale back the push toward electrifying its fleet of cars and trucks. Several major car companies — including Ford, GM and Mercedes-Benz — have scaled back or delayed their electrification plans due to weaker-than-expected consumer demand, high production costs and charging infrastructure concerns. Ford is pivoting toward hybrids and GM postponed several EV launches. By late 2023, electric vehicle inventory was piling up on dealership lots, with EVs taking more than three times longer to sell than gas-powered cars, signaling a sharp slowdown in consumer demand.
CBC
13-05-2025
- CBC
RCMP vehicle hit by truck in high-speed collision during traffic stop in Fort McMurray
An RCMP vehicle was extensively damaged after being hit by a fast-moving truck during a traffic stop in Fort McMurray, Alta., last week, police say. Just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, a Wood Buffalo RCMP officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 63 northbound in the Beacon Hill area of Fort McMurray when it was struck from behind by a Ram truck. In a news release Wednesday, RCMP said the truck was moving at a "high rate of speed" when it hit the police vehicle. RCMP said the police vehicle's emergency lights were activated at the time of the collision. RCMP Staff Sgt. Sabrina Clayton said that the officer was investigating a traffic stop when his vehicle was struck from behind by the Ram truck. Clayton said the driver of the vehicle that had been pulled over in the traffic stop was in the police vehicle at the time of the collision, and was waiting to be released. The officer and the passenger in the police vehicle were not injured, and the driver of the truck also did not suffer from any injuries. The driver of the truck, a 48-year-old woman from Fort McMurray, is facing charges of failing to comply with breath demand, transporting cannabis in an open package, and failing to move over when passing an emergency vehicle. The woman was released from custody and is set to appear in court on June 11.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Design a Dream Chrysler Vehicle of the Future: Stellantis Looks to Inspire High School Students With 2025 Drive for Design Contest
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand-prize-winning designer to receive a summer internship in Ram Truck design studio and invitation to be student judge at the prestigious EyesOn Design car show The Stellantis North America design team is calling all high school students interested in creating their dream Chrysler brand vehicle to enter the 13th annual Drive for Design contest. Now eligible high schoolers from around the U.S. will have the opportunity to create and share their own personal vision of a future Chrysler vehicle. The storied Chrysler brand marks its 100th anniversary in 2025. In addition to creating groundbreaking technologies and achieving various engineering feats throughout its first century, the brand has produced some of the most iconic American automotive designs known the world over. The inspiration behind the Drive for Design contest comes from Mark Trostle, senior vice president, Ram Truck and Mopar design. Trostle himself won an early iteration of this contest as a high schooler in 1987 and remembers it enthusiastically. "To this day, I love to draw cars and trucks, so without a doubt I was genuinely inspired by the opportunity early in my career to create my own version of a cool futuristic car," Trostle said. "Every year, we're excited and proud to be able to enlist the promising young talent and to enlighten their parents about automotive design and the many opportunities this type of career path can offer." In addition to the summer design internship in the Ram Truck design studio, the grand-prize winner will also receive: Apple iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Featured post on Stellantis North America social media channels Invitation to serve as a student judge at the prestigious EyesOn Design car show at Ford House in Grosse Pointe, Michigan Prizes for the second- and third-place finishers include: Apple iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Virtual networking opportunity with the Stellantis Design Team Featured post on Stellantis North America social media channels Invitation to serve as a student judge at the prestigious EyesOn Design car show at Ford House in Grosse Pointe, Michigan Scholarship to College for Creative Studies three-week Precollege Summer Experience "Transportation Design" program in Detroit, Michigan: July 13 - August 2, 2025 All student-created entries must be submitted by midnight EDT on Friday, April 25, 2025. One grand-prize winner and two additional finalists will be selected from all valid entries. For detailed contest rules, information on how to submit sketches and free resources for students of all ages, visit Students, teachers and parents can follow the contest on the Stellantis North America social media channels and learn about automotive design. Weekly contest updates and content will be posted every Tuesday with the hashtag #DriveForDesign. Notable Drive for Design winners: 2024 winner: Rohan Seiber (Portola Valley, California), former intern 2016 winner: Ben Treinen (Loveland, Ohio), Ram Truck Interior Design Studio employee 2015 winner: Dongwon Kim (Cupertino, California), Advanced Design Studio employee 2023 winner: Rocco Morales (Northville, Michigan), first high school student intern 2021 winner: Vincent Piaskowski (Birmingham, Michigan), 2024 summer intern 2020 winner: Job Skandera (Santa Rosa, California), former intern 2019 winner: Max Cooper (Miami, Florida), former intern 2015 winner: Josh Blundo (Moultonborough, New Hampshire), former intern 2014 winner: Alex Fischer (Rochester, Michigan), former intern Stellantis North AmericaStellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers, aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility for all. In North America, it's best known for producing and selling vehicles in a portfolio of iconic, innovative and award-winning brands, including Jeep®, Chrysler, Dodge//SRT, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, while creating added value for all stakeholders. Follow company news and video on:Company blog: website: website: @StellantisNAYouTube: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Stellantis Sign in to access your portfolio
