Stellantis N.V. and Toyota Motor Europe N.V. (TME) yesterday announced the expansion of their existing partnership with an agreement for a new large-size commercial van, including a battery electric version. The new vehicle marks the third body type under the agreement, completing a full LCV line-up, with compact-, mid- and now a large-size LCV. (AutoInformed>Stellantis and Samsung SDI JV to Build EV Batteries in Kokomo; Stellantis to Repay Early €6.3B Fiat Credit Facility)
Stellantis and TME’s collaboration started in 2012 with the Toyota’s mid-size LCV produced at Stellantis’ Hordain plant in France, followed in 2019 by a compact-size LCV segment, produced at Stellantis’ plant in Vigo, Spain. The large-size LCV announcement allows Toyota to complete a full LCV line-up in Europe. It also – as many such emerging agreements do – offsets the ruinous development and production costs of the ongoing electrification of offerings demanded by governments and customers. Continue reading
Hyundai Expands Seat Belt Shrapnel Recall
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 239,000 2019-2022 Accent, 2021-2023 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles – in effect recalling a failed recall. The front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment sending metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants.
This safety defect recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new repair remedy completed. (AutoInformed: Hyundai, Kia Recall 2022 Seat Belts for Shrapnel Explosions) Continue reading →