Category Archives: safety

First Autonomous XC90 Built Today by Volvo

Posted on 9 September 2016 by Ken Zino

Volvo has assumed all financial and legal responsibility in what is, arguably, the most ambitious autonomous car testing program to date since it will use real people and not just engineers. Money-making introduction is planned around 2021. Continue reading →

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Chinese-Made Junk – HAUS Mosquito Zapper, Toys R Us Pacifier

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today that Chinese made HAUS Mosquito Zapper LED Light Bulbs pose and electrical shock hazard. The firm has received two reports of the bulb separating from the connector. No injuries or property damage have been reported. In addition, Toys ‘R’ Us is recalling Chinese-made Pacifier Clips due to choking hazard because the clip’s spring mechanism can break and release small parts. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Forces Ford to Expand Door Latch Recall

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Ken Zino

NHTSA is forcing Ford Motor to expand a previously announced safety recall on unsafe door latches to include~1.5 million more vehicles. This means the total of potentially unsafe vehicles is 2,383,292. Continue reading →

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Software Safety Recall on 2015 Hyundai Genesis Models

Posted on 7 September 2016 by Ken Zino

It’s just the latest software safety recall in an auto industry that is increasingly reliant on people who write code. In this case a “communication error between the Audio, Visual, and Navigation (AVN) headunit and instrument cluster.” Continue reading →

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Nevada Calls for Technology Quotes to fight Pedestrian Deaths

Posted on 30 August 2016 by Ken Zino

It’s not just pedestrians. Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council say motor vehicle deaths were 9% higher through the first six months of 2016 than in 2015, and 18% higher than two years ago at the six-month mark Continue reading →

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Michelin, Takata Win $80 Million Tread Belt Separation Suit

Posted on 26 August 2016 by Ken Zino

A Florida jury ruled unanimously in favor of Michelin and Takata in a highly publicized product liability case cased by tread belt separation. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen to Pay Dealers $1.2 Billion over Dirty Diesels

Posted on 26 August 2016 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America says it has reached an “agreement in principle” to settle the claims of 650 VW franchise dealers in the United States relating to TDI vehicles affected by the dirty diesel fraud and other matters about the value of the franchise. Volkswagen will make cash payments – estimated at $1.2 billion – and provide unnamed “additional benefits” to the dealers to resolve past, current and future claims of losses in franchise value. Continue reading →

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New Recalls at Bentley, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Mitsubishi

Posted on 24 August 2016 by Ken Zino

Troubling is the number of vehicles on the road with unfixed recalls – particularly older ones – in spite of automaker efforts to contact owners. Continue reading →

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FCA Recalls Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, Cherokee, Ram for Bad Transmissions

Posted on 15 August 2016 by Ken Zino

FCA recalls more than 412,000 model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade and RAM ProMaster vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions since they can suddenly slip into neutral. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps … Continue reading →

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Recalls – 3500 Ram Owners Get the Shaft

Posted on 11 August 2016 by Ken Zino

The rear output shaft could “fracture while driving.” Continue reading →

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ZF Takes Major Stake in Lidar Expert Ibeo

Posted on 2 August 2016 by Ken Zino

Lidar is a key technology for autonomous driving, object recognition and accident prevention. Continue reading →

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Amica Auto Claims Adjust Converts to IBM MobileFirst for iOS

Posted on 29 July 2016 by Ken Zino

Amica is equipping170 adjusters with iPad Pro and iPhone 6 loaded with Claims Adjust, providing secure, immediate access to individual claims data anywhere in the field. Continue reading →

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Safety Groups Want FTC Probe on E-Class Self-Driving Car Ads

Posted on 28 July 2016 by Ken Zino

Safety advocates want the Federal Trade Commission to take action against Mercedes-Benz for advertising 2017 E-Class models as a self-driving car. Continue reading →

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Porsche Executive Board Acquitted of Criminal Charges on Alleged Stock Manipulation During its failed VW Takeover Bid

Posted on 28 July 2016 by Ken Zino

This ends a long, international soap opera of litigation that also saw U.S. hedge funds sue Porsche over alleged market manipulation while acquiring Volkswagen stock. Continue reading →

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Judge Issues Initial OK of VW Dirty Diesel Settlement

Posted on 28 July 2016 by Ken Zino

Under the proposed settlement, eligible customers have two choices: (1) they can sell back their vehicle to Volkswagen or terminate their lease without an early termination penalty, or, (2) keep their vehicle and receive a free emissions modification, if approved. Continue reading →

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