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Ram heavy-duty pickup gets higher towing rating

Ram has fired the latest salvo in the ongoing pickup war between the domestic automakers, releasing what the brand claims is now best-in-class towing capacity for its 2013 heavy-duty pickups. The 2013 Ram 3500 is rated to tow a 30,000-pound trailer, up from a maximum towing capacity of 22,750 pounds for the same vehicle and powertrain setup in 2012. According to their respective Web sites, similarly equipped heavy-duty 3500 pickups from General Motors are rated at a towing capacity of 23,100 pounds, while Ford's F-350 similarly equipped is rated at 22,800 pounds.

Hyundai explores pickup plans with Chrysler, report says

Hyundai proposed plans to Chrysler earlier this year to work together on a truck derived from the Ram chassis for Hyundai, Reuters is reporting. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne rejected the overture from the South Korean company, Reuters says, but it's possible Hyundai could make another offer. The move could allow Hyundai to tap into a lucrative part of the U.S.

New Year drink-drive warning for revellers

SOME revellers will drink so much to see in the New Year that they might be over the legal driving limit for nearly all of January 1, the AA has warned. As many as 21% of people plan to drink at least 10 units of alcohol at New Year's Eve celebrations, potentially putting them still over the limit by 12 noon on New Year's Day. And the AA/Populus survey of more than 21,000 drivers also revealed that 2% would drink to such an extent that they risked being over the limit as late as 10pm on New Year's Day.