Category Archives: results

FCA US Recalls 332,000 Vehicles for Bad Airbags

In the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA said “A disrupted connector on the buckle switch hall effect may affect the conduction on the connectors of the seat wiring and buckle which may cause the front seat air bag to not perform as expected during a crash.” The part in question was made by ZF Group in Italy as Molex part number 98817-1025. Continue reading

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Takata Airbag Shrapnel – BMW Recalls 400,000 3-Series Models

The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata inflator that can explode during deployment. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Continue reading

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Largest Ever Clean Air Act Fine Imposed on Marathon Oil

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Company* over Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources, which include downstream facilities such as oil and gas tank systems. Under the settlement agreement, Marathon will implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions from more than 200 facilities across the state. Continue reading

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NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert on Faulty Replacement Airbags

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that used car buyers and owners need to be aware of cheap, substandard replacement air bag inflators that can cause death or serious injury in a crash. In the last year, three people have been killed and two people have suffered life-altering, disfiguring injuries due to these faulty aftermarket replacement air bag inflators. Continue reading

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Global Automakers in the US Out-Build Detroit 3 During 2023

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) and Autos Drive America in their 2024 Economic Impact Report say that during 2023, for the first time, international automakers in the United States out-produced the Detroit 3 automakers. Last year, Autos Drive America’s members produced 4.9 million light vehicles in the U.S. compared to 4.6 million produced by the Detroit 3. In total, last year 8.7 million new vehicles were sold in 9401 international nameplate dealership franchises, accounting for 57% of all new vehicle sales in 2023. Continue reading

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VW Group – €2.6 Billion Exposure Over EV Plant Closing

In an ad hoc release late yesterday, the Volkswagen Group slashed its annual financial results forecast over the costs of the potential shutting down of an Audi EV plant in Brussels. In total, this will lead to a “burden on the operating result of up to €2.6 billion in the 2024 financial year.” Continue reading

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Tilt! Stellantis Now Favoring Hybrids in Europe

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today that is changing its self-described multi-energy approach to respond to the sharp rise in sales of hybrid vehicles in Europe, including models equipped with its new “advanced hybrid eDCT technology.”* The company will offer 30 … Continue reading

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Biden Administration – $1.6B in Semiconductor Manufacturing

The US Department of Commerce today published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to open a competition for new research and development (R&D) activities that it said will establish and accelerate domestic capacity for semiconductor advanced packaging. The CHIPS for America program predicts that up to $1.6 billion in funding will go to five R&D areas. These were first outlined in the vision for the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP). Through potential cooperative agreements, CHIPS for America would make several awards of ~$150 million federal funding per award in each research area. Continue reading

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GM Recalls 2024 Colorado and Canyon Models for Fuel Leaks

General Motors is recalling ~9000 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles for fuel tank leaks. The lock ring that secures the fuel pump to the fuel tank assembly may not have been fully locked during assembly by the supplier Plastic Omnium. This can cause a leak during a crash, possibly leading to a fire, according to GM recall filings released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading

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Ford Mustang, F-Super Duty Recalls for Steering and Brakes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  today made public more safety defect recalls on 2022-2023 Ford Mustangs, some 2024 Mustangs as well as 2025 F-Super Duty F-650 and F-750 pickup trucks.  The safety defects come from a variety of causes including, improper heat treating, power steering control module (PSCM) software and body control module (BCM) software. Continue reading

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Chinese Light Vehicle Market Recuperating In May

During May 2024, the Chinese Light Vehicle (LV) market showed a firm uptick with continuous structural optimization, according to an analysis and data released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* Within the LV segment, Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales, influenced by the … Continue reading

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CDK Cyberattacks Wound June US Light Vehicle Sales

“Although the industry has become accustomed to dealing with adversity in recent years, the CDK cyberattack was another curve ball that disrupted activity on a number of levels during June. Many dealers that use CDK’s software found it difficult to conduct normal business operations, although reports suggest that workarounds were found in many cases,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading

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Stellantis Adds Another $55 Million to Archer Aviation

“Few things rival the excitement of seeing a dream take flight. I applaud the innovation, expertise and hard work of the engineering and manufacturing teams from Stellantis and Archer,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With this additional investment in Archer, we remain on course for a future where freedom of mobility extends beyond today’s roads.” Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls More than 550,000 F-150 Pickups

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 550,000 2014 model F-150 vehicles, the National High Traffic Safety Administration said today. A loss of the signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear at any vehicle speed. A downshift to first gear without warning could result in a loss of vehicle control, obviously increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading

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First Gen Four BMW 1 Series Made in Leipzig

The first of the fourth-generation BMW 1 Series came off the production line at BMW Group Plant Leipzig today. BMW said  it was a 120 model in Alpine White for a customer in Germany.* The new BMW 1 Series is due for market launch in October 2024. When first introduced in 2007, the 1-series was a successful bet that a small hatchback doesn’t need to equate to cheap. Continue reading

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