by Gabrielle DeSantis

Over 500,000 Ram trucks are being recalled (again) over what can literally cause the wheels to fall off. It covers a wide range of over 10 years. The recall affects 2012 to current Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickups, and Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis-cab trucks. 

All of the Ram trucks in the recall have dual rear wheels

All of the affected trucks had dual rear wheels more commonly called “duallys.” They also have flanged lug nuts and are predominately in North America. A flanged nut has a flange or ridge that nests into a recess around the lug nut hole of the wheel. 

Ram parent company Stellantis says that the problem is with the torque specifications of the lug nuts. Service and owner’s manuals had incorrect torque specs for the lug nuts holding the wheels to the hubs. Some get over-tightened. This causes damage to the wheel studs and potentially resulting in “wheel separation.” That is more commonly known as the wheels falling off of the hub to you and I. 

“Only trucks subject to wheel-removal as part of a service or upfit procedure” are being recalled

“There is no component defect, and torque applied during vehicle assembly is within specification. So the recall condition may only be present in vehicles that have been subject to wheel-removal as part of a service or upfit procedure,” says the release. “Dealers are currently in possession of correct service instructions. Production vehicles are now being delivered with updated owner’s manuals. The campaign is limited to vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts.”

The good news is that Stellantis says there have been no injuries or accidents to its knowledge. It says that the trucks left the factory with the lug nuts properly tightened. So this only affects those trucks that have received service where the wheels are removed. 

Dealerships will repair damaged wheel studs and provide new owners manuals with the proper specs

We see a lot of duallys with aftermarket wheels. So we can assume that if they use flanged lug nuts they are part of this recall. But if they use mag wheel-type lug nuts then there may not be a problem. In any case, owners will be notified by the end of July. They will be advised to take their trucks to a dealership to correct the owner’s manual and replace any damaged studs. 

If you have questions or concerns you can call 800-853-1403, or you can use the VIN number of your truck to see any recalls affecting it here.

RECALL: Ram Diesel Pickup Recall: Heavy Duty Diesel Owners Urged to Park Outside Due to Dangerous Fire Risk

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

Last week the Quantum Group, an investment firm in Zurich, made Lamborghini owner Volkswagen a $9.2 billion offer for the storied company. VW refused the offer, stating the brand was not for sale. Now Quantum has upped its offer to $11.5 billion. VW must be thinking, “What does Quantum know about Lamborghini that we don’t?”

It sure sounds like Quantum wants to deal, but what about VW?

“Of course our offer is still valid. After all, we have carefully weighed and thought through our decision for Lamborghini and the attached offer and concept,” Rea Stark, who is Quantum’s representative, told Reuters, as Automotive News reports. “And if there is a willingness to negotiate – whether that’s investments, guarantees, or the purchase price – then, of course, we are still prepared.”

Will this $2.4 billion increase budge VW? It is somewhat of a bad time to be offering to buy Lamborghini. That’s because the brand just announced its plans to electrify its line of cars. Later in this decade, the company plans on having its entire line electrified. And in the next few years, all of its products will be at least hybrids. 

Even though VW plans on investing over $1.5 billion to make its plans happen, we think it sees the added profit potential in an all-electric lineup. So in some ways, every manufacturer is worth more because electrification cuts manufacturing costs. 

The timing to buy Lamborghini may not be so good right now

But until then Lamborghini can milk its final gas-powered V12 Aventador replacement. For enthusiasts that should add some interest and maybe a buying frenzy to have the last of the gas-powered cars. So it is all looking up for Lambo’s future right now. 

Quantum says that the added amount of its latest offer is to cover VW’s investments and guaranteed jobs. The investment firm said as part of its original offer it would offer job assurances to all current employees. So no one would lose their job from the potential sale.

An additional innovation center would add 850 more jobs

It also said it would invest in a separate innovation center that would employ an additional 850 people. This would be where Lambo would develop EV solutions and technology. This facility would be located in Germany. 

Automobili Lamborghini is still housed in Sant’Agata, Italy. The offer asks for this facility, all of Lambo’s motorsports operations, and a five-year supplier deal with Audi. Audi is the division within the VW empire that oversees not only Lamborghini but also Bentley. 

Quantum would acquire Lamborghini in conjunction with Centricus Asset Management in the UK. In its original offer, the two partnering companies said they wanted to make Lambo a “technology and lifestyle investment platform.” Lamborghini was founded in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini. VW purchased it in 1998.

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