Chrysler recalling about 37,000 Ram trucks, 15,000 Darts 10:41 am U.S. ET | June 13, 2013  Chrysler Group said it will recall about 37,000 pickup trucks on two separate issues, neither of which had led to any accidents or injuries.... Read More »
U.S. study sounds alarm on voice-to-text features in carsJune 13, 2013 06:01 CET  The voice-to-text features that car companies are offering to keep drivers' eyes on the road may also be highly distracting, the consumer group AAA warned as it released the results of a two-year research project.... Read More »
Dealerships should adopt a standard reserve for legal protection, F&I experts say 6:00 pm U.S. ET | June 12, 2013 Dealerships should adopt a standard amount for dealer reserve as part of a detailed fair lending program to protect themselves from potential lawsuits driven by federal regulators' crack down on auto lenders, experts say.... Read More »
2013 AUTOMOTIVE NEWS CONGRESS Dacia benefits from downsizing trend in EuropeJune 12, 2013 17:00 CET Dacia is the symbol of a new consumer trend for affordable cars in austerity-hit Europe, said Arnaud Deboeuf, Renault's entry-program director.... Read More »
For some, driving is more stressful than skydiving 10:54 am U.S. ET | June 12, 2013  According to research funded by Audi, driving in chaotic urban traffic can be nearly as stressful for some people as skydiving. The study, conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, used Audi Q5s to test driver frustration, Audi said in a statement.... Read More »
Volkswagen will recall 26,000 cars in Australia on transmission worriesJune 12, 2013 08:55 CET  Volkswagen will recall almost 26,000 cars in Australia in response to potential problems with its DSG dual-clutch transmission, mirroring recalls already ordered in China, Singapore and Japan.... Read More »
AAA sounds an alarm on voice-to-text features 6:00 am U.S. ET | June 12, 2013  The voice-to-text features that car companies are offering to keep drivers' eyes on the road may also be highly distracting, the consumer group AAA warned today as it released the results of a two-year research project.... Read More »
Faurecia bets on global projects to escape Europe market woesJune 12, 2013 10:49 CET  French supplier Faurecia is pushing for global supply contracts with customers such as Ford as it seeks to wean itself away from relying on its recession-strapped home region where new-car sales are falling for the sixth consecutive year.... Read More »
CHRIS GAUTZ The EV taxation debate comes to Michigan 11:04 am U.S. ET | June 11, 2013  Can a road tell the difference if an electric vehicle or a gas guzzler is driving over it? No, but lawmakers around the country tasked with coming up with a new revenue stream to pay for the upkeep of those roads sure can.... Read More »
Michelin pressed by French gov't to redevelop doomed French siteJune 11, 2013 12:30 CET  Michelin should contribute to the redevelopment of a French truck tire plant where it plans to end production in 2015, the French government's Labor Minister said. Michelin announced 700 domestic job cuts on Monday, becoming the latest auto industry manufacturer to slash staffing in response to the European downturn.... Read More »
Suppliers lose bid to be removed from antitrust suit 4:28 pm U.S. ET | June 10, 2013 Several major auto suppliers named in an ongoing federal antitrust lawsuit have lost bids to have the case dismissed or to be removed from the government’s probe into wire harness pricing.... Read More »
CHRYSLER'S 'NO' TO NHTSA At the center of the Chrysler recall drama, a familiar name: Ditlow 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Years before Chrysler stunned the auto industry by refusing to recall 2.7 million Jeep vehicles deemed unsafe by regulators, the company was fending off complaints from an old adversary: Clarence Ditlow.... Read More »
Pontiac G6 brake light inquiry elevated by NHTSA 11:34 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Federal auto safety regulators have stepped up their investigation into the Pontiac G6, bringing the discontinued sedan a step closer to a recall for brake light problems.... Read More »
Honda minivans under investigation after complaints of airbag flaw 11:48 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Federal auto safety regulators are investigating claims that the airbags in 2003-04 Honda Odyssey minivans can deploy without a crash. In a filing on its Web site, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it started a preliminary evaluation of the Odyssey on Thursday. The investigation affects an estimated 320,000 minivans.... Read More »
Turbos: MPG or muscle? 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Some automakers say turbochargers offer high fuel economy and quick acceleration, the best of both worlds. Well, yes and no. Turbocharged vehicles allow automakers to keep power output high while they downsize engines for better fuel economy. But much of the mpg gain is lost when American drivers stomp the gas pedal and enjoy turbos' high performance.... Read More »
Chrysler's high-stakes 'no' to NHTSA 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013 For 17 years, automakers have complied with every request for a recall, no matter how costly, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And then last week, in a startling decision, Chrysler Group said no. It refused a request from NHTSA to recall 2.7 million 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-07 Libertys for an alleged fire risk caused by fuel tanks mounted behind the rear axle. Chrysler's "no" was a high-risk answer and one that came directly from CEO Sergio Marchionne.... Read More »
CHRYSLER'S 'NO' TO NHTSA What to change? No easy answers for this one 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Nobody claims to have a foolproof modification to eliminate the alleged fire safety risk in 2.7 million 1993-2007 Jeeps that have put Chrysler Group at odds with the NHTSA. And each approach to the alleged problem has its shortcomings.... Read More »
EDITORIAL Chrysler-NHTSA dispute could shake industry 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013 The industry faces a potential dilemma now that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has called for Chrysler to recall as many as 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs to address safety problems NHTSA says can cause fires in rear-end accidents.... Read More »
KEITH CRAIN Chrysler's playing a high-stakes game 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Chrysler is in a high-stakes poker game with the federal government. It is a game the government hasn't lost very often, so the odds favor the government.... Read More »
LETTER TO THE EDITOR A positive side to a Jeep recall? 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013 This is in response to "Chrysler's line in the sand" (AutoNews Now, June 5) about Chrysler's rejecting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's request for a recall of 2.7 million Jeeps.... Read More »
YANG JIAN China's slowing economy provides opportunities for foreign automakers 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013  Recent economic indicators suggest that China's economy is losing steam. The economy grew 7.7 percent in the first quarter, down from last year's 7.8 percent pace, and official statistics may be masking a more serious slowdown. Still, foreign automakers in China should view the slight slowdown as an opportunity for better long-term growth.... Read More »
Toyota recalls 242,000 hybrids, 86,500 in U.S. 12:01 am U.S. ET | June 10, 2013 Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 242,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, including 86,500 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS 250h hybrids in the United States, to fix a braking glitch.... Read More »
States debate taxing green cars to recover lost gas taxes 7:38 am U.S. ET | June 9, 2013  Hybrid and electric cars are sparing the environment. Critics say they're hurting the roads. The popularity of these fuel-efficient vehicles is being blamed for a drop in gasoline taxes that pay for local highway and bridge maintenance, with three states enacting rules to make up the losses with added fees on the cars and at least five others weighing similar legislation.... Read More »
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE So NHTSA, where's the old Cherokee? 5:11 pm U.S. ET | June 7, 2013  Several of my colleagues and I have spent most of this week researching, writing and talking about Chrysler Group's decision to fight the recall of the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-07 Jeep Liberty.... Read More »
Colorado gets added muscle to state franchise laws 4:13 pm U.S. ET | June 7, 2013  Colorado dealers have stronger franchise laws that they say now level the playing field with manufacturers.... Read More »
|
