USA - First Orders of 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Sell Out Within 3 Days.

Chrysler has sold out of its first batch of 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickups, currently the only half-ton trucks available on the market with a diesel engine. Production of these vehicles had only just started this month, and within three days, Chrysler received 8,000 orders.

This was enough to fill up the first round of orders, which accounts for more than 50 percent of its total order mix. The flood of orders for the 2014 Ram EcoDiesel suggests a heavy interest in fuel economy among pickup buyers. Currently, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel achieves 20/28 mpg city/highway, with the best highway rating ever for a full-size half-ton pickup.

Its highway fuel economy also exceeds even the top-rated small pickup. The EcoDiesel model manages to achieve this position through a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 engine good for 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission.

We have to assume that fuel economy is the primary reason for the 1500 EcoDiesel's success, considering buyers haven't had the chance to actually test-drive the vehicle yet. But we have, and we loved it.The first EcoDiesel models will be shipped in March. Also next month, customers will have another chance to get their hands on the new Ram EcoDiesel in a second round of orders.

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Ford increases production of new Kuga

Ford Kuga production is set to increase by 10 per cent this year to cope with an increasing demand throughout Europe. As a result, production of Ford’s latest smart utility vehicle is expected to reach 100,000 units annually for the first time.

Demand in the UK is helping drive Kuga’s production growth. Since it was launched at the end of last year, over 8,000 orders have been placed as families switch to SUVs in favour of conventional saloon cars.

Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe, said: “The new Kuga is a smarter SUV that offers a comprehensive array of technologies including the segment-first hands-free tailgate, and debuts Ford’s global intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

“This significant production increase is a very promising start to an SUV rollout that is spearheaded by the new Kuga and leverages Ford’s historic leadership in SUVs in North America and other regions to bring to Europe the all-new EcoSport, and later the Ford Edge.”

Ford has said it expects to sell more than one million SUVs in Europe in the next six years with SUVs accounting for 10 per cent of all Fords sold in the region by 2016. Ford Kuga UK sales and share were both up in March 2013, compared with last year.

The all-new compact EcoSport will launch at the end of 2013, and will later be followed by the next generation Ford Edge, a larger and more premium utility vehicle popular in the U.S. and other markets.

The new Ford Kuga achieved a Euro NCAP overall protection score of 88 per cent, the highest-ever for a mid-sized SUV, as well as a Euro NCAP Advanced reward for the Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance system, which  calls emergency services in the appropriate local language for the region following an accident.

New Kuga also delivers class-leading fuel economy through significantly improved fuel efficiency from a powertrain line-up that, for the first time, includes EcoBoost engine technology. Petrol engine fuel consumption has been reduced by 25 per cent and diesel engine fuel consumption by 10 per cent.

The new Kuga has been acclaimed by UK media, with Autocar magazine this week rating it ahead of five key competitors.