Monthly Archives: June 2016

New Takata Tests – High Risks in Older Honda, Acura Models

Posted on 30 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The latest test data on defective Takata air bag inflators show that model-year 2001-2003 Honda and Acura vehicles have a far higher risk of ruptures during air bag deployment. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Requires Rental Car Companies to Fix Open Recalls

Posted on 30 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Federal law now prohibits any company or dealer with fleets greater than 35 vehicles to rent un-repaired recalled vehicles. It also extends NHTSA’s recall authority to cover rental car companies for the first time, giving the safety agency power to investigate and punish violators. Continue reading →

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Toyota Claims Lead in Patents

Posted on 30 June 2016 by AutoCrat

Toyota is the only automaker listed among the top 20 on the IPO list. Other key innovators in the top 20 include Apple, Google, IBM and Microsoft. Continue reading →

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Milestones: Honda Accord 40 Years Later

Posted on 30 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Baby Boomers made the Honda Accord, and Honda’s pioneering decision to build a plant in Ohio ultimately put the company in the automotive big leagues to the astonishment of Toyota and Nissan executives, who were, eventually, forced to follow. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage

Posted on 29 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The 2017 Ford GT will be available in a limited-edition Heritage theme honoring the GT40 Mark II driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at Le Mans in 1966 – part of a1-2-3 Ford GT sweep in the top class at Ferrari’s expense. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls – Three More in North America

Posted on 29 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor recalls 2015-2016 Ford Focus electric cars, 2016 F-150 and 2016 Explorer trucks, and 2016 Transit Connect for a variety of mechanical and electronic safety defects. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls More than 1.4 Million Airbags

Posted on 29 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. recalls 482,000 Model Year 2010 – 2012 Prius; 2010 and 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrids and 2011 and 2012 Lexus CT 200h vehicles for defective airbag inflators that were not made by Takata. Worldwide the total is ~1.43 million. The supplier was not identified. Continue reading →

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$14.7 Billion Volkswagen Diesel Fraud Settlements

Posted on 28 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The plea bargain requires Volkswagen to spend up to $10.03 billion to compensate consumers under the program. In addition, the VW will spend $4.7 billion to mitigate the pollution from these cars and invest in green vehicle technology. Continue reading →

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‘Bloody Hell,’ What Does Brexit do to Automakers?

Posted on 24 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The uncertainty does not bode well for Ford Motor Company or General Motors, both with struggling European operations. Both were ashen silent today. Continue reading →

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New Dawn at Largest Rally of Rolls-Royce Cars at Goodwood

Posted on 24 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is honoring the occasion with a display of six Bespoke (aka custom) models, hand-built by craftsmen and women at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. Continue reading →

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House and Senate Democrats, Republicans Play Ball? Well, at the Annual Congressional Baseball Game…

Posted on 24 June 2016 by Ken Zino

This year, right-hand hitter Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) hit a walk-off single to right field, scoring the winning run (8-7) ending a seven year losing streak for error prone Republicans. There was plenty of political heckling from both sides of the diamond, but the Dems did not stage a sit-in on the field. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – HP Recalls Lithium-Ion Batteries

Posted on 24 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Continue reading →

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Dream Cruise Drag – Roadkill Runs Legally on Woodward Ave

Posted on 23 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Here’s irony, street-legal racing will be sanctioned on Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, MI, on the eve of the Dream Cruise. Continue reading →

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FCA US Eliminates Use of Non-Desiccated Ammonium Nitrate Takata Air-bag Inflators

Posted on 23 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Unsold vehicles that are so-equipped will be identified for customers. These customers will also be advised that the vehicles will be recalled in the future. They are not currently subject to recall. Takata inflators have been tied to at least ten deaths and more than 100 injuries so far in the United States. Continue reading →

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Renault Alpine Vision Concept to Appear at Goodwood

Posted on 23 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Production will start during 2017, and it could eventually appear in the U.S. Continue reading →

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