For those not paying attention, Ram is on a roll. Despite inventory shortages that have plagued the industry, the truck brand finished 2021 with a sales increase. Ram brand total year sales were up 4 percent year over year, the second-best year for the brand ever. At the same time, Ram’s competitors have announced electrification efforts that could alter the balance of power in the truck segments. So how will Ram answer that?

In this episode, we interview Ram brand CEO Mike Koval. He will describe Ram’s newest installment in its Built to Serve line of limited-edition trucks, which will honor firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical service providers. And he will discuss with Host Jack Nerad the ways Ram intends to move forward with electric truck models that he says will outpace those from competitors, be they established brands or startups.

In the road test segment, Co-Host Chris Teague will review the Honda Passport TrailSport. The new off-road-oriented version of the crossover SUV features standard torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, rugged-design tires, unique styling touches, navigation system, roof rails, and more all-terrain gear all for an MSRP of $42,470. Does it pass the Maine off-road test? Teague will give us the answer.

Also in the road test segment, Host Jack Nerad will take a close look at the venerable Toyota Highlander. Long a favorite in the midsize crossover segment, the Highlander is available in conventional and hybrid versions. But which would be better for your family? Nerad and Teague give their thoughts on that thorny question and others regarding the Highlander.

In the news, Tesla Motors is in even more hot water with federal safety authorities, and we’ll have the details. And if you are looking for a dependable vehicle — and who isn’t — we will have definitive information for you from a very credible source -- J.D. Power. All that and more is in this episode of “America on the Road.”