Ram trucks launches two new SPecial Packages with bright and "out there" colour Schemes.

• Loaded with custom exterior and interior details, Ram 1500 Sublime Sport is a first-time offering for this bold color
• First-time 22-inch Black aluminum wheels
• Limited-edition Sublime priced at $45,740
• Ram 1500 Rebel Blue Streak introduces new color to the Rebel trim combined with all-Black interior
• Rebel Blue priced at $45,095

Ram Truck today announced two new option packages that strengthen the brand’s factory-custom trend and color palette.

“The Ram 1500 Sublime Sport and Rebel Blue Streak expand our offerings in factory-custom trucks and give dealers a more extensive color palette to excite customers who are looking for something unique,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global.

The new 2017 limited-edition Ram 1500 Sublime Sport package features a stunning green monochromatic exterior with body-color grille. The 2017 Ram 1500 Sublime models feature a Sport performance hood with Black wheels, Black Ram’s head grille badge, Black tailgate badge and Black body-side badges. 

Big 22-inch Black aluminum wheels are available for the first time (two-wheel drive only, 20-inch wheels on four-wheel drive).

Interior treatments for the Sublime Sport include Lime Green accent stitching throughout the cabin, accent-color Ram’s head embroidery on the headrests and sport mesh seat inserts. A Lime Green Sport badge is prominently placed on the glove box boor. Anodized Black-painted spears and trim rings complete the interior.

Just over 3,000 units of the bright-green 2017 Ram 1500 Sports will be produced.

The Ram 1500 Sublime Sport package is available on Crew Cab V-8 models with a starting MSRP of $45,740, plus $1,395 destination. The trucks are arriving in dealerships next month.

Ram also introduced the Rebel Blue Streak. To complement the Rebel's bold looks and capability, the truck is now available with Blue Streak exterior paint. In addition to the body color, the Ram 1500 Rebel Blue Streak can also be ordered with the Rebel Black appearance package, which includes a Black-decaled performance hood, Black wheels, Black grille, Black brush guard and Black badging. Optional two-tone with Black lower paint also is available.

The new Rebel Blue Streak interior features Black anodized bezels on the doors, center console, instrument panel and gauge cluster trim rings. Optional all-Black leather seats replace Radar Red and include Black embroidery. Slate Gray accent stitching traces the instrument panel, center console lid, doors and seats. Deep rubber floor mats are embossed with Ram’s head logos.

The Ram 1500 Rebel Blue Streak is available in all Rebel configurations and options at no extra charge. The Ram Rebel starting MSRP is $45,095, plus $1,395 destination. Rebel Blue Streak will start arriving in dealerships in May 2017.

About Ram 1500 Sport

The 2017 Ram 1500 Sport blends efficient, durable Pentastar or HEMI® engines with street-friendly monochromatic visual performance cues to make it an appealing alternative for truck enthusiasts.

Ram 1500 Sport is now powered by a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6/TorqueFlite 8 combination, delivering 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway fuel efficiency. For those seeking more power, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is available and delivers 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway.

The Ram 1500 Sport is available in Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models in both two- and four-wheel drive.

The Sport comes standard with heated high-back bucket seats with full center console; heated steering wheel; halogen projector headlamps; body-color grille, front fascia, mirrors and rear bumper; and 20-inch painted/polished aluminum wheels with outlined white letter tires. Sport 4x2 Regular Cab short box models come standard with 22-inch wheels.

Ram 1500s feature a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems, including first-in-segment technologies, such as thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.

About Ram 1500 Rebel

The Ram 1500 Rebel brings an aggressive, one-of-a-kind off-road design to the full-size truck segment, offering customers a custom truck with capability.

Equipped with factory lift, 33-inch all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, tow hooks and other off-road-ready features, Rebel drops right into a core segment of the truck market with unique design cues and can-do attitude backed by Ram Truck engineering. Ram 1500 Rebel also takes advantage of exclusive air suspension in order to offer increased ride height.

New front grille design and “RAM” branding offer a new styling signature for Ram Truck. Rebel is also distinguished by unique interior colors and materials, including Radar Red and Black seats with tire tread-matching patterns.

The Ram 1500 Rebel is available in three short wheelbase Crew Cab configurations with a standard 4x4/3.6-liter Pentastar V-6/TorqueFlite 8 combination, delivering 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque; a 4x2 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with variable valve timing, fuel-saver technology and 395 horsepower/410 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission 4x2; or HEMI-powered 4x4.

FLEET WORLD - Volkswagen is named manufacture of the year for its commercial side.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles claims top Van Fleet World Honours award
• Brand is named Manufacturer of the Year in 2017 awards
• New services and initiatives aimed at fleets are key to success
• Crafter wins first UK awards: named ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Large Van’

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has taken home the triple crown from the 2017 Van Fleet World Honours, with the brand winning the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award and the new Crafter claiming the ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Large Van’ accolades.

Van Fleet World judges commended Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ work over the past 12 months, with a number of initiatives piloted by the brand now being adopted by the Van Centre network.

Commenting on the win, Dan Gilkes, editor of Van Fleet World, said: “Volkswagen has worked hard over a number of years to develop an outstanding Van Centre network that delivers a dedicated service to fleet and retail customers across the UK. However in the last 12 months the brand has piloted a number of initiatives that are now being adopted by the network, all aimed at improving service for fleet customers. It seems to be working too. 

Volkswagen is number two in the UK light commercial vehicle market with sales having doubled since 2009. More importantly, the company recorded record levels of customer satisfaction in 2016, making it a worthy winner of our Van Manufacturer of the Year Award.”

Initiatives introduced include head of business development support at every Van Centre, with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ensuring the needs of trade customers are being fully met through business experts employed at each location. An extended hours offer is also being rolled out across all Van Centres, along with Mobile Service Clinics.

The new Crafter also picked up two key awards – its first in the UK after being named International Van of the Year in September 2016. In awarding the Crafter its Best New Van and Best Large Van accolades, the Van Fleet World judges said: “It’s not often that a van manufacturer has the chance to create a new vehicle, not just from a clean sheet of paper, but with a completely new factory dedicated to its production. Volkswagen has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, to meet the needs of large van users in every sector.”

Praising its wide range of drivetrains, bodies, engines and driver assistance systems, Gilkes concluded: “Volkswagen had one chance to get new Crafter right and it seems to have hit the spot first time.”

Chris Black, head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, collected the awards on behalf of the brand at the ceremony in London.  He said:  “We’re overjoyed to be named Manufacturer of the Year and for all of the brand’s hard work to be recognised. It’s also great for the all-new Crafter to have its first two UK awards, reinforcing the strength of the brand and quality of our products.”

USA - Ford celebrates the American's biggest seller for decades, the F-Series with a year long celebration.

• Ford F-Series is now America’s best-selling truck for 40 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 35 years; with more than 26 million trucks sold since 1977
• Listening to customers, delivering constant innovation and best-in-class levels of performance enabled the Ford F-Series to set itself apart by making customers more productive through tougher, smarter and more capable trucks

• Ford kicks off 2017 with a yearlong celebration for loyal F-Series owners and their trucks at 40YearsTough.com

Ford, America’s truck leader, is celebrating a major milestone as F-Series now reigns as the top-selling truck in the country for 40 consecutive years and best-selling vehicle for 35 years.

Ford has now sold more than 26 million F-Series trucks since January 1977. Think of it like this: That many trucks could circle the globe more than three times, or, lined up bumper-to-bumper, would span 90,000-plus miles.

Ford truck leadership was established with the sixth-generation of F-Series for the 1977 model year, a time when 8-track tapes, disco and bell bottoms were the rage. 

The company was riding a sales wave – based on an all-new F-150 light-duty pickup featuring an improved 351-series V8 engine, standard front disc brakes, and an extended SuperCab offering.

Yet continuous innovation is at the very core of F-Series’ success and even with the momentum in 1977, Ford engineers were already at work on a clean-sheet design for an all-new lineup. That seventh-generation F-Series not only set sales records for trucks, but also by 1982 it had become the overall best-selling vehicle in America.

“The 1980 model was a breakthrough generation for Ford,” said historian and author James Wagner. “It was all new – probably the greatest change in 40 years. It was fresh and had a strong emotional appeal with the twin I-beam front suspension. It seems from that point on, things really went Ford’s way as far as trucks were concerned.”

1997 marked the beginning of a split for F-Series into two distinct platforms – the 10th-generation F-150 was geared toward light-duty truck customers, while new F-250 and F-350 Super Duty brand trucks debuted in 1999 targeting heavy-duty commercial vehicle buyers.

Ford anticipated widening consumer needs, expanded its truck lineup

Early on, Ford identified changing consumer preferences among truck customers who were increasingly using their vehicle to do more than haul livestock and equipment; customers were also using their trucks for their family and lifestyle needs. 

Beginning with the King Ranch in 2001, Ford was now offering luxury edition pickups that provided a combination of capability, style and comfort. Furthermore, models like the Platinum and Limited series went further, featuring leather seating, rich wood trim, full power accessories and premium sound systems.

Ford also pioneered performance and specialty truck segments with the special-edition Harley-Davidson F-150 and SVT F-150 Lightning in 1993. By 2002, Ford was marking 25 years as best-selling truck in America and 20 years as best-selling vehicle overall.

“What’s made the F-Series so successful is the Ford truck team’s ability to anticipate the needs of our customers better than anyone else – how those needs change, what’s most important, and what they need to move forward,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Their insights help us design, engineer and build America’s best-selling trucks.”

For the 2004 model year, the 11th-generation F-150 received a top-down redesign. 2009 saw Ford charging ahead with some of the strongest visual cues ever for the 12th-generation F-Series. 

For the 2011 model year, the company was poised to combat skyrocketing energy costs with introduction of the all-new fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 engine for F-150.

Toughest, smartest, most capable F-Series ever

On rare occasions, innovative companies forever change the game with the introduction of a revolutionary product. Ford’s all-new high-strength, military-grade aluminum-alloy body for the light-duty F-150 in 2015 was that breakthrough product. 

Then Ford applied the same lightweight material to make the all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty even more capable than ever.

When paired with advanced powertrains, like Ford EcoBoost V6 engines, the F-150 lineup offers the most hauling capability* and best-in-class gas mileage**.

Customers and critics alike appreciate the continued innovation of Ford F-Series trucks, with the 2017 Super Duty winning the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award – the seventh time in 30 years Ford has taken home the honors.

F-Series innovations and milestones, 1977 to present

• 1977: Ford begins F-Series truck leadership, selling 818,580 trucks for the model year
• 1979: Ford introduces the Built Ford Tough brand promise
• 1980: All-new seventh-generation F-Series features efficient gas and diesel V8 engines, new angular design, improved interior features; twin-traction-beam four-wheel-drive front suspension introduced
• 1984: F-150 replaces F-100 as base F-Series truck, adding improved safety features and new center console; optional CD player comes a year later
• 1987: Eighth-generation F-Series features a more aerodynamic design, available electronic fuel injection, redesigned interior including instrument panel, and rear antilock brakes
• 1998: Super Duty brand of medium-duty trucks debuts for commercial customers and aligns the popular F-150 line for light-duty customers
• 2001: Luxury King Ranch is an unprecedented success
• 2002: Ford, celebrating 25 years as best-selling truck in America and 20 years as best-selling vehicle overall, introduces Ford-engineered, Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® turbo diesel engine
• 2008: Ford introduces all-new Class 3-leading F-450 pickup, once again raising the bar for maximum towing capacity
• 2011: Powerful, efficient EcoBoost engine technology introduced for F-150
• 2015: Ford shifts production away from steel to high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body for F-150; introduces all-new technology, including 360-degree camera
• 2016: New Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob; plus F-150 is only full-size pickup to earn a five-star rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Top Safety Pick from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• 2017: Ford celebrates F-Series leadership, marking 40 years with the best-selling truck in America and the best-selling vehicle overall for 35 years

WHAT VAN ? - The Nissan Navara takes the best pick up award in this years awards ceremony.

The all-new Nissan Navara has been named Pick-Up of the Year by leading title What Van?

The honour adds to the already impressive haul of awards claimed by the market-leading model, including the coveted International Pick-Up Award 2016.

What Van? judges praised the Navara for setting a new segment benchmark for quality, refinement and technology while still offering the pulling power and payload expected of a pick-up.

James Dallas, Editor of What Van?, said: “With its combination of on-road refinement and off-road capability, the Navara is simply the best pick-up available in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Anthony Jones, Navara Product Manager at Nissan Motor (GB), said: “The Navara has completely redefined the pick-up sector since its launch and builds upon Nissan’s 80 year pick-up heritage to set new standards across the board.

“This latest award is another major endorsement of the Navara’s product quality; delivering crossover-inspired comfort and technology both on and off-road, while high powered, economical engines provide an incredible  towing capacity and payload.”

Navara’s leading features include multi-link rear suspension, forward emergency braking and around view monitor. Many safety features are available across the range including Forward Emergency Braking on all double cab models; driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags; electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD); Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control (on 4WD models).

Priced from £23,520 RRP, the Nissan Navara can be specified with either a double cab or a king cab and a 190PS twin-turbo or 160PS single turbo version of the 2.3-litre dCi engine. There’s also a choice of two or four-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

Also benefiting from competitive financing and servicing offers, combined with Nissan’s LCV 5 Year / 100,000 mile warranty, the Navara gives owners the ultimate peace of mind.

USA - The all-new 2017 Nissan TITAN full-size pickup has been named one of three finalists for 2017 North American Truck of the Year.

• Nissan TITAN announced as one of three finalists for prestigious award
• Nomination of new TITAN half-ton model follows last year's TITAN XD consideration
• All-new TITAN projected to be the highest volume model, competing in the heart of the full-size pickup marketplace
• New model introductions are part of Nissan's "Year of the Truck" – a celebration of Nissan's new TITAN lineup, Armada, Pathfinder and more throughout 2016

The all-new 2017 Nissan TITAN full-size pickup has been named one of three finalists for 2017 North American Truck of the Year (NATOY), an annual award selected by an independent, self-funded jury made up of a group of automotive journalists from across the United States and Canada. 

The announcement was made this morning by NATOY judges as part of a Motor Press Guild (MPG) breakfast at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 2017 TITAN, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide, is an integral part of Nissan's "Year of the Truck" – honoring the launch of a range of new or refreshed Nissan trucks, SUVs and CUVs, including Pathfinder, Rogue, Armada and TITAN.

The new TITAN is covered by Nissan's recently announced "America's Best Truck Warranty"¹ – featuring bumper-to-bumper coverage of 5-years/100,000-miles, whichever comes first. Vehicles covered by the new warranty, which includes basic and powertrain coverage, include all TITAN V8 gasoline-powered models and diesel and V8 gasoline-powered 2017 TITAN XD models.

Now in its 24th year, the NATOY jury selected the finalists from a list of trucks that set new benchmarks in the classes in which they compete. The jurors evaluated TITAN and other semi-finalists on the ballot based on factors including: value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction.

"For Nissan to be nominated for this prestigious award two years in a row – first the revolutionary TITAN XD and now the high volume TITAN half-ton, is an honor for the thousands of Nissan employees all over America who put their hearts and souls into its development and assembly," said Fred Diaz, division vice president and general manager, North America Trucks and Light Commercial Vehicles, Nissan North America, Inc. "We're looking forward to a positive result this January when the North American Truck of the Year is announced."

For the 2017 model year, the Nissan full-size pickup lineup has expanded with the arrival of the TITAN half-ton. Powered by Nissan's new 390-horsepower 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 engine, the TITAN half-ton was first available in a roomy Crew Cab body, in both 4x4 and 4x2 configurations and in five well-equipped grade levels: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. Officially added to the lineup just this month are the 2017 TITAN and TITAN XD Single Cab models, while a King Cab variant, along with a V6 engine, will follow at later dates.

Like the TITAN XD, the new TITAN half-ton was developed with core Nissan planning, design, engineering and manufacturing teams contributing from Tennessee, California, Michigan, Arizona and Mississippi. The TITAN half-ton is assembled in Canton, Mississippi, with its V8 engines built in Decherd, Tennessee.

The 2017 TITAN Crew Cab half-ton's standard 5.5-foot bed is designed to work hard and play hard, with a wide range of available functionality features. Nissan's popular Utili-track® Bed Channel System, which made its industry-first debut on the original TITAN, features four heavy-duty aluminum alloy cleats that move and lock anywhere along the walls, as well as bed floor and header tracks that give the user endless tie-down possibilities.

Other TITAN bed features include the popular spray-on bedliner, flush-mounted LED bedrail lighting, cargo and tailgate lamps, 120-volt in-bed access and a damped tailgate that is light to lift and smoothly damped when lowering.

2017 TITAN models were recently named "Full-size Truck of Texas," "Commercial Vehicle of Texas" and "Best Value" by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), and given an "Extreme Off-Road" title by journalists participating in the Active Lifestyle Vehicle Awards (ALV).

USA - Ram Truck today announced both a new and a returning option package to bring in the buyers from December.

• Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand introduces new color, debuts new all-black interior
• Rebel Mojave Sand package priced at $595
• Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport returns, loaded with custom exterior and interior details
• Limited-edition Ignition Orange package priced at $1,595

Ram Truck today announced both a new and a returning option package that will have truck enthusiasts knocking at their dealers’ doors.

The first is a new 2017 limited-edition Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand package. This is the first time Mojave Sand exterior paint has been available on a Ram truck model and is exclusive to the limited production Rebel. 

In addition to the new body color, the new Rebel package includes a black-decaled performance hood and a new, unique fully black interior.

The new black Rebel interior features black anodized bezels on the doors, center console, instrument panel and gauge cluster trim rings. All-black seats with black embroidery replace Radar Red seat backs and embroidery. Light Slate Gray accent stitching traces the instrument panel, center console lid, doors and seats. Deep rubber floor mats are embossed with gray Ram’s head logos.

The Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand limited edition is available in Rebel configurations and options. The Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand starting MSRP is $45,590 plus $1,320 destination. Mojave Sand production is limited to 1,500 units, which will start arriving in dealerships in December 2016.

Ram will also reintroduce a limited run of Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport models.

In addition to their vivid monochromatic exterior hue with body-color grille, 2017 Ram 1500 Ignition Orange models feature a Sport performance hood with black decals, black Ram’s head grille badge, black tailgate badge and black body-side badges.

Interior treatments for the Ignition Orange Sport include “Copperhead” accent stitching throughout the cabin, Sport embroidery on the seats, accent-color Ram’s head embroidery on the headrests and colored-accent sport mesh on the seat inserts. Anodized Orange-painted spears and trim rings complete the interior.

Only 1,500 units of the bright-orange 2017 Ram 1500 Sports will be produced.

The Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport package is limited to Crew Cab V-8 models with a starting MSRP of $43,740 plus $1,320 destination. The trucks are arriving in dealerships now.