Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

VW Recalls Audi, Golf Models for Exploding Airbags

In the required NHTSA filing made public today VW Group said, “Audi is aware of one customer claim due to this issue.” The issues are an inflator explosion that may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. And/or an improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash. Continue reading

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US Gets Warrant to Seize Russian Oligarch Airbus

It’s just the latest example of successful maneuvering by the ‘get tough on criminals’ Biden Administration – “Russia, if you’re listening” which, critics note, is in stark contrast to the former administration’s pandering to Russia and its state sanctioned hackers. Russia are you listening now? Continue reading

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Ferrari NA Recalls 2005-2022 Models for Brake Failures

The repair consists of replacing the brake fluid reservoir cap and updating the software where applicable in the affected vehicles to provide for a different warning message if the vehicle should lose sufficient brake fluid. Continue reading

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Transportation Unemployment Now at Pre-Pandemic Levels

This means that the July 2022 rate – by falling 3.1 percentage points from 7.3% in July 2021 – is now same as the pre-pandemic July level of 4.2% in July 2019. Unemployment in the transportation sector reached its highest level during the COVID-19 pandemic (15.7%) in May 2020 and July 2020 under the failed policies and denials of what would become the voted-out Trump Administration in November 2020. Thus the Biden Administration policies continue to strongly benefit the economy and US workers. Continue reading

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New Side-Crash Tests: Few Mid-Size Cars Rated Good

New Side-Crash Tests: Few Mid-Size Cars Rated Good Continue reading

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Toyota Motor FY Q1 Profit Drop Spooks Market

Aside from the well-known semiconductor problems, Covid lockdowns in Shanghai and other parts of Asia, as well as flooding in South Africa hurt the results. Toyota shares fell -3.45% after it released its earnings report, which showed a 42% year-over-year drop in operating profit, but recovered slightly to close down -2.99%. The Nikkei average share closed up 0.69% at ¥27,932.20 and even topped the ¥28,000 mark. Continue reading

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July US Light Vehicle Sales Still Stalled

“July sales were slightly behind the June volumes, but not all OEMs were that stable. GM lost more than 20,000 units, and it was outsold by Toyota for the first time since January. On the positive side, Ford, Mazda and Toyota gained the most volume from June. Toyota remained the bestselling brand, but its lead over Ford shrank considerably this month. Continue reading

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FCA Emissions Fraud: Accountability or Accountancy?

Whether this accountable enough or not is subject to debate. Critics say that this is just cash register justice whereby wealthy corporations buy their way out of criminal trouble and recover the costs through ongoing operations. Defenders point to the amount – a $300M criminal penalty – along with the organizational probation where FCA will be monitored for its regulatory behaviors. There are also outstanding individual criminal cases.
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GM Expanding Super Cruise Hands-Free Driver Assistance

Super Cruise accelerates or brakes the vehicle to maintain a selected following gap from a vehicle ahead, steers to maintain lane position, and on some models when offered, can perform both driver and system-initiated lane changes to pass slower traffic and to move from a lane that may be ending, while monitoring the driver’s head position and/or eyes in relation to the road to help ensure driver attention. Continue reading

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Back to School – E Before Q at MBUSA

The program is hosted in Alabama and will provide a three-day training session designed to educate, and electrify Mercedes-Benz team members nationwide. Continue reading

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Stellantis: $99 Million for New Engine at Three N.A. Plants

“Today’s $83 million investment from Stellantis at the Dundee Engine Complex is a win for our auto workers and will help us secure the future of hybrid and electric vehicle manufacturing right here in Michigan,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Continue reading

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Subaru Recalls 2015-2021 WRX Sedans For Backup Lights

In the required NHTSA filing made public today, Subaru said: “The operating environment of the Backup Lamp Switch may expose the internal switch contacts to heated oil. When heated, sulfur in the oil may cause a chemical reaction with the materials used on the switch terminal contact surfaces and plate spring. This chemical reaction may cause corrosion and a non-conductive film to form on the contacts resulting in poor electrical conductivity. Continue reading

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Renault Group: Sales Drop, Revenues Even, Margins, Profits Up

“These first half results are a proof of this: despite all the headwinds related to the stop of the activity in Russia, the semiconductor crisis and cost inflation, the Group continues to improve its operating performance and is beginning to benefit from the success of new launches,” Renault Group said. Continue reading

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Flo~Pro Performance Exhaust To Halt Sales of Defeat Devices

The complaint, filed simultaneously with the consent decree, alleges that the parts described below are “defeat devices” prohibited by the CAA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that prior to its 2018 investigation, Flo~Pro manufactured or sold more than 100,000 aftermarket defeat devices in the United States per year. In early 2019, Flo~Pro suspended sales of the defeat devices in the United States in an effort to resolve this matter. The consent decree for this settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas and will be open for public comments for a period of 30 days. Continue reading

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Stellantis: Record First Half 2022 at €8.0 Billion Net Profit

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA), the mega merger of  FCA and Peugeot, posted record profitability during the first half or 2020 because of increasing sales of low emission vehicles (LEV), which include battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles. Stellantis said it ranked second in the EU30 market for BEV and LEV sales) and third in the U.S. market for LEV sales. Stellantis’ global BEV sales were up nearly 50% y-o-y to 136k units in H1. The Company now offers 20 BEVs, with an additional 28 BEVs to be launched through 2024. Continue reading

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