Category Archives: litigation

VW, Audi, Porsche V6 Diesels added to EPA, CARB Probes

Posted on 2 November 2015 by Ken Zino

The vehicles covered by today’s action are the diesel versions of the 2014 VW Touareg, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne, and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L, and Q5, among the most profitable vehicles at VW Group. Continue reading →

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Huge GM Recall on Engine Fires affects 1.1 million Vehicles

Posted on 2 November 2015 by Ken Zino

The repair needed to stop what are now 1,345 fires in vehicles involved in earlier recalls for the defect is unknown. GM said it would provide this information as soon as it is available. Until an improved fix has been applied, owners should park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended since 85% of the fires occurred after the car was parked. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Former Federal Prosecutor to Oversee GM Felony Plea Bargain on Ignition Switch Deaths that let Senior Executives Walk

Posted on 29 October 2015 by Ken Zino

GM is charged with two felonies for concealing a potentially deadly safety defect from its U.S. regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aka NHTSA, from the spring of 2012 through February 2014, and misleading consumers concerning the safety GM’s cars. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Shark Lawyers Circling VW Call for Buyback of Diesels

Posted on 12 October 2015 by Ken Zino

The Hagens Berman and Quinn Emanuel law firms filed a motion today in their national lawsuit against Volkswagen asking the court to order Volkswagen to provide owners of the VW diesels an immediate buyback offer at the Kelley Blue Book value Continue reading →

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, litigation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Usual Posturing at VW House Hearing on Dirty Diesels

Posted on 9 October 2015 by Ken Zino

Panel members were skeptical to hostile during their questioning of Horn. It was clear that they expected not only significant fines to arise, but for VW to buy back the cars at the pre-scandal price. Continue reading →

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, litigation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Fines Drone Operator SkyPan $1.9 Million

Posted on 6 October 2015 by Ken Zino

SkyPan operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner to endanger lives or property, the FAA alleges. Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, fools 'n frauds, litigation, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mosaic Fertilizer to Spend $2B for Disposal of 60 Billion Pounds of Hazardous Waste

Posted on 2 October 2015 by Ken Zino

At Mosaic’s eight facilities in Florida and Louisiana, hazardous waste from fertilizer production is stored in large piles, tanks, ditches and ponds. The piles can be 500 feet high and cover more than 600 acres, making them some of the largest manmade waste piles in the United States. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, litigation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn Resigns

Posted on 23 September 2015 by Ken Zino

“I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen Group., said Winterkorn. “As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group.” Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, people, recalls | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Canada Opens Query on Volkswagen Diesel Emissions

Posted on 23 September 2015 by Ken Zino

Corporate officials can be prosecuted if they authorize, accept or participate in any violation of CEPA, 1999, or its regulations. A range of sentences may be available upon conviction, including fines and possible imprisonment. Continue reading →

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Legal Challenges Grow in VW Diesel Recall

Posted on 22 September 2015 by Ken Zino

Hagens Berman, which filed the first class-action lawsuit against Volkswagen AG’s U.S. manufacturer and distributor, says it is expanding its national suit alleging that the automaker deceived consumers by using software to cheat emissions tests, allowing its “Clean Diesel” vehicles to emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at illegal levels. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Profits Impaired by Pending VW Diesel Recall, Fines

Posted on 22 September 2015 by Ken Zino

Because of the capital stake Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Stuttgart holds in Volkswagen AG (31.5%), the results of Porsche SE will be diminished. The Porsche Profits target for the Porsche SE Group for fiscal 2015 will also require adjustment downward. Continue reading →

Posted in financial results, litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Ducks Criminal Charges in Ignition Switch Recall Debacle, Incurring $1.575 Billion in Costs, so far, to Stockholders Because of a Decade long Covered Up about Killing Customers

Posted on 17 September 2015 by Ken Zino

GM has cut a controversial deal over the company’s handling of an ignition switch defect in millions of GM vehicles that killed or seriously injured at least 1,380 innocent people who have lawsuits pending in the Multi District Litigation (“MDL”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai and Kia versus Paice over Hybrid Patents

Posted on 16 September 2015 by Ken Zino

Paice filed the infringement lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia in February 2012 after unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a licensing agreement on its patents. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Whacks Chrysler with Record $105m Safety Penalty

Posted on 27 July 2015 by Ken Zino

In an unusual Sunday release, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced yesterday that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles acknowledged violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act’s requirements to repair vehicles with safety defects. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CFPB Scoffs at NADA FOIA Request on Auto Lending

Posted on 27 July 2015 by Ken Zino

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, aka CFPB, has rejected a Freedom of Information Act – FOIA – request by the National Automobile Dealers Association to release a memorandum that NADA alleges shows that the agency is seeking to exercise jurisdiction over auto dealers financing, which is prohibited under the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, also called Dodd-Frank. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment