Category Archives: safety

Smart Phones for Dummies – a Modest Proposal

Posted on 26 September 2013 by David C. Smith

Smart phones may have Mensa-level brilliance, but they have spawned legions of dummies. So I have a brilliant solution: Bring back John Wayne. Why? Because the Duke, in numerous memorable films, insisted that anyone entering his town check their guns or face jail time – or worse, his every ready Colt. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls Sienna Minivans for Roll-Aways

Posted on 26 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Toyota said that the shift lock solenoid that is part of the interlock system installed in involved vehicles could become damaged with providing details about accidents or injuries. Continue reading →

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Nine Japanese Auto Parts Firms Guilty of Price Fixing

Posted on 26 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Including those announced today, 20 companies and 21 executives have been charged in the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation into price fixing and bid rigging in the auto parts industry, in a scandal that keeps on growing in size and raises serious systemic corruption issues for some of the largest and respected Japanese firms. AutoInformed predicts more indictments are coming. Continue reading →

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Panasonic Exec Indicted in Toyota Price Fixing Scam

Posted on 24 September 2013 by Ken Zino

A federal grand jury in Detroit has indicted a Panasonic Automotive Systems executive for his role in an international conspiracy to fix prices of switches and steering angle sensors sold to Toyota. Continue reading →

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CITGO Fined for Pollution

Posted on 20 September 2013 by Ken Zino

CITGO Petroleum Corporation will pay a $737,000 civil penalty and start projects to reduce harmful air pollution in a deal cut by the Department of Justice and EPA with the Houston-based, Venezuelan-owned company. Continue reading →

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Two Fujikura Executives Indicted for Price Fixing

Posted on 20 September 2013 by Ken Zino

A federal grand jury in Detroit returned an indictment against two Fujikura Ltd. executives for their roles in an international conspiracy to fix prices of auto parts used in automotive wire harnesses sold to Subaru and installed in U.S. cars. Continue reading →

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Total to Pay $8.75 Million for Continued Refinery Violations

Posted on 20 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Total Petrochemical USA will pay an $8.75 million fine for failing to comply with the terms of a 2007 settlement with the United States that resolved alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its Port Arthur, Texas, refinery. Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls 5-Series Cars for Defective Rear Lights

Posted on 20 September 2013 by Ken Zino

BMW said that it does not believe a safety defect exists but is recalling the cars anyway. While likely such language is lawyer dictated, the Bavarians have a precarious relationship with U.S. safety regulators. Previously BMW was fined by NHTSA for covering up safety defects. Continue reading →

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G.S. Electech Executive Indicted for Price Fixing

Posted on 18 September 2013 by Ken Zino

The criminal charge was the first to be filed in Kentucky where Toyota has extensive operations as part of an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into anti-competitive conduct in the automotive parts industry. Continue reading →

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Infotainment Systems Transform Instrument Panels

Posted on 17 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Only a decade ago, the powertrain and performance of an automobile were the main selling points. Infotainment systems did not exist with virtually all light vehicles without any type of so-called connectivity to the world outside – no telematics, cellular, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Continue reading →

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Bankrupt Suzuki Issues Huge Airbag Recall

Posted on 16 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Suzuki Motor of America is recalling 194,000 model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles because of a defective airbag sensor in the passenger seat. Continue reading →

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Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car Recalls for Bad Steering

Posted on 10 September 2013 by Ken Zino

The recall was prompted by a NHTSA engineering investigation after receiving multiple complaints. Continue reading →

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EPA ChemView Web Site Expands Info on Toxic Chemicals

Posted on 9 September 2013 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched a web-based tool, called ChemView, to improve access to chemical specific regulatory information developed by EPA and data submitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Continue reading →

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Huge Toyota and Lexus Recall for Unsafe Suspensions

Posted on 9 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Toyota is recalling almost 800,000 2006-2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles because a rear tie rod can fail abruptly sending the wheel askew resulting in an unsafe car out of control. Continue reading →

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Asian Auto Lending Discrimination in Los Angeles?

Posted on 9 September 2013 by Ken Zino

It is common practice for banks and other lenders to set a base interest rate or so-called “buy rate” and then for the auto dealership to “mark up” the interest rate to the final rate the customer pays on the loan for the car. The complaint alleges that Union Auto Sales charged higher interest rate markups to non-Asian customers from at least 2004 to 2006, which constitutes lending discrimination. Continue reading →

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