August 27, 2014: Ram 1500 tops in fuel economy; smart cars aren’t smarter; Daimler settles with UAW

Here is what is trending today in the world of transportation.

• Consumer Reports has weighed in on the fullsize pickup fuel mileage battle and the winner is: the Ram 1500. Autobloggreen has more on the truck, including pictures and a video.
• Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed legislation that would have increased the speed limit on suburban interstates to 70 mph. That follows a veto of a similar bill that would have increased the limits for large trucks, reports WNIJ News, which reports on the chances of an override.
• Want smart cars? Well, according to GPS World, the connected vehicle revolution won’t necessarily mean our vehicles will be getting smarter.
• According to Reuters, Daimler is settling a long-running dispute over medical benefits for retired United Auto Workers, paying millions into a trust to fund healthcare plans.
• The Street takes a look at some of trucking’s publicly traded carriers and how their stocks have performed so far this year.
• The California DOT is shutting down Highway 280 this Labor Day weekend to reinforce the overpass. KTUV.com has the details, including alternate routes to avoid the area.
• Manufacturing.net details expected growth in manufacturing over the next few years. Spending on transportation equipment, though, will temper, it says.
• The Star Democrat says to expect more people on the highways this holiday weekend.